Goodyear's answer to the Michelin Pilot Super Sport and Continental Sport Contact 6 is finally here, the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3!

While we've not yet had the chance to drive on it, the independent German test body TUV have done their usual array of tests, and found that the new Goodyear has 2.6 metres shorter wet braking (9% better performance) and 1.3 metres shorter dry braking (4% better performance) than the average of the Michelin Pilot Sport 3, Bridgestone Potenza S001 and Continental Sport Contact 5.

This is a tyre we're very excited about, so you can be sure we'll be reporting on the driving experience at the first opportunity. 

The Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 will be sold in 17 to 20 inches, covering 41 sizes. The tyre will be on the market in certain sizes now, with the majority of sizes on sale by March 2016.

2016-03-01 - Update: Goodyear released a second press release at the Geneva motorshow, which can be found below.

2016-03-08 - Launch video below

2016-04-04 - More details on our launch report here

Geneva Press Release

Goodyear showcases its latest summer tyre at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show, the Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3.  The Ultra-High Performance tyre delivers a 31% better wear performance² and shorter braking distance on dry & wet roads¹ helping drivers to stay in control to be ready to enjoy the journey. With proven Eagle family test wins and an OE track record, including the new Jaguar XF, it is Goodyear’s premium offering for outstanding braking performance, responsive handling and control in both dry and wet conditions.

The Ultra High-Performance segment is clearly a growth market[1], expected to increase with more than nine million units and with an expected compound annual growth rate of more than 3% from 2015 to 2020³. This is primarily driven by the expansion of the car park in the medium, executive, large and luxury vehicle segments that are increasingly fitted with UHP rated tyres[2].

The new Eagle F1 Asymmetric is packed with new technology[3]. The Active Braking Technology increases the contact surface and grip when braking, which allows for a shorter braking distance. Additionally, the new grip booster compound and the adhesive resin for stickiness both deliver strong grip for shorter braking and handling. The new reinforced construction technology delivers a stronger, lightweight construction improving handling, cornering performance, tread wear and fuel efficiency.

The Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 has been tested by independent organization DEKRA[4] which resulted in a strong performance on tread wear compared to other premium tyres on the market. In fact, the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 proved to offer 11.500 km extra mileage (or +31% better wear performance) versus the average of three leading competitors. 

Additionally, the independent TÜV Süd Benchmark Test[5] results ordered by Goodyear show that the Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3, compared to the average of three main competitors, has a 2.6 meters shorter braking distance (9% better performance) on wet roads, a 1.3 meters shorter braking distance on dry roads (4% better performance) and 4% better wet handling. The same test results also show a 10.9 % better rolling resistance compared to the average of the three tested competitors, which represents the second best rolling resistance performance of the tyre brands tested[6].

“We are very happy that this tyre continues to perform well in tests, particularly the recent DEKRA test that confirms leading mileage results, says Alexis Bortoluzzi, Goodyear Marketing Director Consumer EMEA. “We are therefore pleased to display this tyre on our booth at the Geneva Motor Show 2016.”

The new Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 is available in 41 sizes in 17 to 20 inches, and the range will be completed with the majority of sizes by March 2016.

[1] Source: Goodyear Dunlop internal forecast

[2] Source: HIS/ Global Insights March 2015

[3] Compared to its predecessor

[4] Compared to average performance of 3 latest (available at the time of the test) designs from main competitors in UHP segment (Michelin Pilot Sport 3, Bridgestone Potenza S001, Continental Sport Contact 5). Tested by DEKRA in Sept – Oct 2015 by order of Goodyear Dunlop. Tyre Size: 225/45 R17 91Y; Test Car: VW GOLF VII - 150 CV; Test Locations: open road and test circuit FP01 with test conditions described in test #2015-137.

[5] Tested by TÜV SÜD Product Service GmbH in Sept - Oct 2015 by order of Goodyear Dunlop. Tested against 3 main competitors: Bridgestone Potzena S001, Michelin Pilot Sport 3 and Continental SportContact 5, Tyre Size: 225/45 R17 91Y; Test Car: VW Golf; Test Locations: Mireval (F), Papenburg (D), TÜV SÜD PS Garching (D); Report No. 713066268.

[6] Scores for rolling resistance: Continental Sport Contact 5 – 101.6; Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 – 100; average of leading competitors – 89.1. Part of test specified above with report No. 713066268.

Original Press Release

Goodyear announces its new summer tyre, the Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3: the Ultra-High Performance tyre that delivers shorter braking distance on dry & wet roads helping drivers to stay in control and ready to enjoy the journey. With proven Eagle family test wins and OE track record, it is Goodyear’s premium offering for outstanding braking performance, responsive handling and control in both dry and wet conditions. 

The Ultra High-Performance segment is clearly a growth market, with an expected compound annual growth rate from 2015 to 2020 of more than 3%². The market is expected to grow in this timeframe with more than 9 mil units². This is primarily driven by the growth of the car park in the C, D and E vehicle segments (medium, executive, large and luxury cars) that are increasingly fitted with UHP rated tyres. 

The Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 redefines tyre performance for powerful saloons and sports cars as well as their driver’s expectations. Significant efforts went into optimising the tyre for outstanding safety and performance. More than 36.000 engineering hours went into the development of the tyre, including over 5.000 tests, 1.200 tests on the road and 3.800 on five test locations in five countries, covering a total of 330,000 km. 

A key feature is the active braking technology increasing the contact surface and grip when braking, which allows for a shorter braking distance. Additionally, the new grip booster compound ensures increased grip during braking and handling and adhesive resin for stickiness delivers strong grip for shorter braking and performance handling on wet and dry roads. The new reinforced construction technology allows for steering precision and durability by delivering a stronger lightweight construction improving handling, cornering performance, tread wear and fuel efficiency. 

The independent TÜV Süd Benchmark Test ordered by Goodyear confirmed the key strengths of the tyre. The results show that the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 has a 2.6 metres shorter braking distance (9% better performance) on wet roads than the average of three main competitors. The braking distance on dry roads is 1.3 metres shorter (4% better performance) and the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 demonstrates 4% better wet handling than the average of three main competitors. The results also show a 10.9 % better rolling resistance than the average of three main competitors and the tyre represents the second best rolling resistance performance of tyre brands tested. 

“We are very happy that the TÜV test confirms that Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 delivers leading results in the braking test, especially during more demanding situations such as rainfall” says Alexis Bortoluzzi, Goodyear Marketing Director Consumer EMEA. “After all, braking is the number one consumer need, and particularly critical for high performance car drivers.” 

The new Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 will be available in 41 sizes in 17 to 20 inches starting as of December 2016, range will be completed with the majority of sizes by March 2016.

- 2.6 metres shorter braking distance (9% better performance) on wet roads and 1.3 metres shorter braking distance (4% better performance) on dry roads compared to average performance of 3 latest designs from main competitors in UHP segment (Michelin Pilot Sport 3, Bridgestone Potenza S001, Continental Sport Contact 5). Tested by TÜV SÜD Product Service GmbH in Sept – Oct 2015 by order of Goodyear Dunlop. New UHP, Tyre Size: 225/45 R17 91Y; Test Car: VW Golf; Test Locations: Mireval (F), Papenburg (D), TÜV SÜD PS Garching (D); Report No. 713066268.

- Source: Goodyear Dunlop internal forecast

- Source: Global Insights / IHS March 2015

- Tested by TÜV SÜD Product Service GmbH in Sept - Oct 2015 by order of Goodyear Dunlop. Tested against 3 main competitors: Bridgestone Potzena S001, Michelin Pilot Sport 3 and Continental SportContact 5. New UHP, Tyre Size: 225/45 R17 91Y; Test Car: VW Golf; Test Locations: Mireval (F), Papenburg (D), TÜV SÜD PS Garching (D); Report No. 713066268.

- Scores for rolling resistance: Continental Sport Contact 5 – 101.6; Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 – 100; average of leading competitors – 89.1. Part of test specified above with report No. 713066268.

- Tested by TÜV SÜD Product Service GmbH in Sept - Oct 2015 by order of Goodyear Dunlop. Tested against 3 main competitors: Bridgestone Potzena S001, Michelin Pilot Sport 3 and Continental SportContact 5. New UHP, Tyre Size: 225/45 R17 91Y; Test Car: VW Golf; Test Locations: Mireval (F), Papenburg (D), TÜV SÜD PS Garching (D); Report No. 713066268.

- TNS UK – Consumer Needs Research, conducted from 17 December 2014 to 19 January 2015. 750 interviews were conducted in The UK, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Russia, Sweden, South Africa, Spain, Turkey and 500 interviews in Saudi Arabia

Further Reading

• Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 reviews
• Goodyear Tyres