Yokohama developing orange-infused tires
By Andrew C., 30 Aug, 2010. 0 Comments
During the Patron GT3 Challenge at the Sebring International Speedway the Porsches racing there were burning eco-friendlier, orange-infused tires, the same tires that the Toyota Prius and other hybrids can be sitting on within a few months.
The provider of the tires, Yokohama, said that the Advan ENV-R1 tires utilized by all the cars on the grid last week combine natural rubber with oil got from orange peels in a tire that needs 10 percent less petroleum in contrast to standard racing tires. It proved so successful that Yokohama predicts that by June of this year the tires will be used by the Prius, Honda Civic Hybrid and other gas-electric vehicles. Continued after the jump!
The race for eco-friendlier tires begun several years ago with tire companies trying to come up with petroleum substitutes, while Yokohama has been experimenting with orange-infused rubber since the 80s and recently stepped up development of the technology under the global environment strategy of the company. Yokohama points out that they are just trying to make a better all-around tire for the buyer and the environment and that the best place to text the tires is on the track.
The company calls it ‚ÄòSuper Nano-Power Rubber‚Äô and claims it performs as well as standard race rubber. The tires are easier to recycle due to its high content of natural products. The oil in orange also makes for better tires since it softens natural rubber thereby enhancing grip. Yokohama says that it has tested a lot of natural products but it‚ orange oil that works best for reason that it has the same molecular structure as rubber. The fact that Yokohama is a major sponsor of the race does not undermine the performance of the tires, but we have to wait for June when the orange-infused db Super E-spec tires will become available in the markets.
[via autobloggreen]
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