Pininfarina concept car
Dunlop is showcasing future tyre technologies at the Geneva Motor Show 2010: an innovative aerodynamic concept tyre with a stylish casing design by Pininfarina and Dunlop’s latest motorsport tyre technologies for more environmentally responsible driving pleasure. The tyre’s aerodynamic design ensures better handling and less air drag for lower energy consumption, while hydrodynamic grooves provide significantly improved water flow. The Dunlop concept tyre will complement the stylish Pininfarina 2uettottanta, an innovative vision of a theme firmly present in the Pininfarina roots: the Alfa Romeo Spider. The elegant 2-seat concept car will be unveiled on March 2 at the Pininfarina stand 1241 in hall 1. The innovative tyre will also be on display at the Goodyear Dunlop booth 2057 in hall 2.
Aerodynamic shape and tread design reduces air drag by 4 percent.
The sleek, aerodynamic shape of the Dunlop concept tyre was specifically developed by Dunlop engineers to reduce air drag by about 4 percent. Both the tyre’s tread pattern as well as the upper, outside sidewall area was designed to improve airflow across the surface of the tyre.
Air drag represents up to 70 percent of the consumed energy on a passenger car. Reducing a tyre’s air drag leads to lower rolling resistance and thus less fuel consumption. “Outside the cities, this aerodynamic benefit can be significant,” explains Frederic Schilling, Dunlop brand director for Europe, Middle East and Africa. “This can lead to up to 3 percent less fuel consumption.”
Tread pattern
The Dunlop concept tyre features an optimized tread pattern with smaller and straighter cavities, which lessen air surface and optimize the airflow.
Sidewall
The tyre’s outer sidewall impact zone has been aerodynamically improved. It now features a pattern-free and engraving-free zone for optimized airflow.
Hydrodynamic centre groove ensures improved hydroplaning performance.
The Dunlop concept tyre also features an entirely new centre groove design. Grooves on standard production tyres are usually more angular, which can lead to turbulences that result in aquaplaning. The grooves on the Dunlop concept tyre have been designed with the main aim of being as hydrodynamic as possible. This results in a significantly better water flow than a standard groove, resulting in higher aquaplaning resistance.
“Dunlop often collaborates with Pininfarina on innovative project cars or on the development of exclusive tyre designs such as the Dunlop SP QuattroMaxx tyre for SUVs.,” says Schilling. “Together we focus on pushing the boundaries of our technologies and designs to the limit. In this process, we discover synergies and possibilities that enable us to develop very innovative products.“
“The Dunlop tyre expressly designed for the 2uettottanta enhances the impression of great personality and strength of the car,” adds Lowie Vermeersch, Design Director Pininfarina. “It shows graphics consistent with the design of the concept car and aerodynamic features enhanced by a very smooth sidewall. Following the SP QuattroMaxx project, this new tyre further testifies how style and technology together can bring innovative solutions to reduce energy consumption and maintain excellent road holding.”
