5 Concept Tires That Could Change Driving Forever

April 17th, 2015 by

A closeup shows the treads on a wet tire against a yellow background.

No matter the make or model of your car, your tires are your only connection to the road, which makes them essential to performance, not to mention safety. Depending on your needs and budget, it is easy to find cheap tires in Cincinnati. Finding the right ones for your vehicle is crucial, but doesn’t need to break the bank.

For optimal performance and safety, whether purchasing for the first time or replacing your tires, it’s crucial to consider tire size and season (summer, winter, all-weather), and ensure that whatever you choose is a complete and matching set.

Mix and matching different sizes or seasons is ill-advised. All four tires should match in order to deliver the support, handling, and safety for which they were designed.

Reinventing The Wheel

Speaking of design, tire manufacturers consistently work to enhance tire performance and service, while reducing cost. Tire innovation is aimed at protecting drivers and passengers, saving lives, and improving overall vehicle performance.

The environment increasingly plays a role in tire innovation as Research and Development engineers are currently focused on sustainability and fuel economy.

But, just how much innovation is possible when it comes to tire technology? How many times can we reinvent the wheel?

Turns out, (get it?), the possibilities might just be endless.

Several major tire manufacturers have introduced a new phrase into the automotive tech-lingo: concept tires. Why not? With concept cars all the rage in engineering, concept tires seem an obvious opportunity for exploration.

Goodyear, Nokian, Hankook, and Bridgestone, have all conceived of concept tires, putting a new spin (I’ll stop!) on tire technology.

Electric Revolutions

The American and third largest tire manufacturer in the world, Goodyear, has conceived of not one, but two, concept tires.

Goodyear-PrototipoBh03-dois

First, the BH03 concept tire. Hardly an inspiring name, given its capability. This tire generates electricity. One more time. This tire generates electricity. How? Well, simply by harnessing the heat created by flexing during typical driving conditions. If applied to hybrids and electric cars, this additional source of electricity could result in improved efficiency, which would certainly impact the EV division of the automotive industry.

The Triple Threat Tire

Not stopping there, Goodyear went on to envision the shape-shifting Triple Tube. A shape-shifter. Sounds almost ridiculous, right? Well, the technology is clever and cutting-edge. Three internal tubes allow for shape modification, depending on driving conditions.

goodyear triple tube

Found under the tread and close to the center of the tire, inboard, and outboard shoulders, this tire morphs into three different positions via a pump, which moves air in between the tubes.

The three shape-shifts, or modes are Eco/Safety, Wet Traction, and Sporty. In Eco/Safety mode, the tubes fully inflate, decreasing rolling resistance. Wet weather is no match for the Wet Traction mode, in which the center tube inflates to cut down on the risk of aquaplaning.

Shifting into Sporty mode, air pumps to the inboard tube to enhance contact patch and increase grip.

These tires are not available…yet. They are, as their names suggest, just a concept for now. A theory, not yet a practice of purchasable product.

Clever Crystals

Nokian, the Finnish tire manufacturer, which has recently moved from eleventh to seventh of the world’s largest tire manufacturer’s, has created a tire that seemingly solves the concerns surrounding studded tires.

Controversial, safety and environmental concerns, studded tires have been restricted, even banned in some states, and have inspired lighter-weight stud legislation.

Brand new, studded tires prove beneficial on icy roads and in freezing or near-freezing temperatures.However, they can pose a threat to traction in warmer, wet or dry conditions, and on various pavement types.

With a questionable safety record – it’s difficult to evaluate, due to uncontrollable variables like driver behavior and perception – there was a quiet call for innovation and Nokian answered, releasing its response in the fall of 2013 to the Nordic markets of Russia and Ukraine.

Nokian-Cryo-Crystal-consept-Nokian-HKPLR2-720px

The Nokian Cryo Crystal is non-studded, but stud-like. Microscopic, multi-edge, crystal-like particles are diamond-tough and built into, rather than onto, the rubber compound.

This technology increases the tire’s lateral and longitudinal grip, which is particularly evident on icy and slick conditions.

Equipped with this technology, tested tires were able to stop several meters quicker from 50 mph than their studly predecessors.

Wear and tear, a concern for stud tires, is practically nonexistent for the Cryo Crystal. Wear on this tire actually brings the internal eco-friendly particles to the tire’s surface, increasing the tire’s grip.

Precision and grip are safeguarded against age, where they can be compromised on a stud tire as it is increasingly used.

Cryo-Silance, a winter silica compound able to withstand a range of temperatures and wet or dry conditions, is a key component of this technology, making the Cryo Crystal seriously durable.

Shapely and Smart

Not to be confused with Goodyear’s shape-shifters, South Korea’s Hankook tire manufacturer, has designed what it calls shape changers.

Unveiled at Germany’s Essen Motor Show last December, these concept changers were borne of the Design Innovation Project.

Every two years, Hankook pairs with a university to work on tire innovation. In 2014, Hankook selected the University of Design, Engineering, and Business, in Pforzheim, Germany.

The results are fantastic, in the fantasy sort of way.

Hankook Concept Series

Sand, Snow, Surf

The trio of dynamic shape-changers are able to alter performance, no matter how quickly or unexpectedly the terrain beneath them changes.

boostrac

The Boostrac is reminiscent of a dune buggy-type wheel. Its hexagonal tread blocks are able to expand and switch traction to move through sand or tackle steep grades, typical of mountain terrains.

The Alpike is essentially a revamped snow tire, only cooler. Capable of expanding its own circumference, as it expands the spaces between the tread and exposed studs are better able to grip icy surfaces, making it an ideal winter tire.

Hankook Hyblade

The HyBlade looks very much like a water wheel and with good reason. It basically is. The design features pop out fins which paddle through water, not unlike a riverboat.

Like the Goodyear concepts, these tires are visions…for now. Though not available in the near future, they might just be a reality in the not-too-distant future.

Look, Ma! No air!

Finally, Bridgestone, the Japanese and premier tire manufacturer, has tweaked its original non-pneumatic tire and created the Air-Free tire.

Introduced at the 43 Tokyo Motor Show in 2013, this air-free technology features an environmentally-conscious design, enhanced load-bearing capabilities, and improved driving performance.

Bridgestone, dedicated to striking a balance between its business and the environment, stresses a “cradle to cradle” creation model, in which worn tires are recycled into new lives. Basically, we’re talking tire reincarnation here.

20141002-bridgestone-air-free-concept-tire-paris-motor-show-2014-003

The recycled materials have been reincarnated into a new spoke structure made from thermoplastic resin 1.

It is this structure, rather than air pressure, which supports the weight of a vehicle.

Eliminating the need for regular air refills, the structure results in less frequent tire maintenance and minimal, practically nonexistent, threat of punctures. No more flat tires!

Already environmentally-friendly with its use of recycled materials, this tire is also energy-efficient. 90% of energy loss from tire rolling resistance results from repetitive shape changes as the tires roll. This innovative structure supports low rolling resistance, which decreases C02 emissions.

The thermoplastic resin is very strong, but very flexible. In FEM (finite element method) simulations, the resin resulted in less stress and deformation on the tire’s interior. This means enhanced versatility, increased load-bearing and driving performance.

More modifications and developments are needed before Bridgestone can successfully release these on the market. However, there is speculation that these airless tires will be available for purchase within a decade.

Hurry up and wait…but not for long!

Although scientifically-based, these tires appear more sci-fi and far-off futuristic. But, the future is upon us and these technologies will soon be present.

In the meantime, check the condition of your tires and and make tire maintenance a priority. The performance of your vehicle and the safety of its occupants depends on them.


2021 Update

Hello, tire fans! Judging by our “Moose of the Great White North” wall calendar, it’s now been almost six years since we first wrote about these concept tires that could change the way we drive. Since it’s been a while, we thought it would be fun to take another look at them and see where they are today – if any of them actually came to be, or if they simply remained concepts that never saw production (spoiler alert: most of them remained concepts). And since we offer the best cheap tires in Cincinnati, we also thought it’d be worthwhile to look at what’s in development now and what the future could still hold for tire design.

Because yes, there are new concepts for tires still being developed – some similar to what we looked at before, and some much, much more far-out. So let’s check on whatever became of these concepts, where the future might take us, and what you should look for right now if you need tires for your vehicle.

The Rearview: Those 5 Concept Tires from 2015

First up, let’s take a look at those concept tires up above and see what their status is now, nearly six years after we first talked about them.

Goodyear BH03 – Certainly one of the most interesting concepts we looked at, the BH03 would generate electricity while you drive. Sadly, this tire has remained only a concept, and nothing similar to it has reached production.

Goodyear Triple Tube – This tire, designed to change shape depending on your needs, has also remained only a concept. As you’ll see below, Goodyear likes to play with ideas and make a lot of concept tires.

Nokian Cryo Crystal – We looked at this concept as a way to gain impressive control and traction on snow and ice without relying on studded tires. Fortunately, this is not merely a concept, and you can purchase tires that use this technology. Right now, they are available from Nokian as the “Hakkapeliitta R3” tires – the R2 was also available with this technology, but it has been discontinued and replaced with the newer R3 model. They are designed for excellent grip and control in winter weather and use the Cryo Crystals that Nokian first revealed years ago!

Hankook Concept Trio – These three impressive concept tires have, sadly, remained only that. There are no commercially available tires from Hankook that utilize any of these futuristic designs.

Bridgestone Air-Free – This is a little bit of a unique entry here because they remain only concepts, like many of the others, but they haven’t been abandoned. Bridgestone is still working on this idea, and we’ll look at what they have shown off more recently down below.

So there you have it. Of the impressive concept tires we looked at nearly six years ago, only one has actually been developed, manufactured, and made available. But, if you’re looking for impressive, studless tires that can handle even the most brutal winter weather, then the Nokian offering is certainly one to check out.

A closeup shows a blue Bridgestone non-pneumatic tire.

The Horizon: 6 New Concept Tires to Consider

Now that it’s been a few years since we last looked at what various tire companies were working on, let’s see what the industry has been up to since then. We can’t possibly keep tabs on every innovation, concept, and idea out there, but we’ve rounded up some of the ones we’re most excited about. It’s entirely possible that six years from now, we’ll look back and see that none (or only one) of these tires actually came to be, but it’s still fun to imagine what might happen.

Bridgestone Non-Pneumatic – Here is Bridgestone’s latest version of its air-free or airless tires. It’s still a prototype in development, which might be more than just a concept? We’re not sure, but it’s definitely something Bridgestone wants to see become commercially viable and offered on a wide range of cars, trucks, and SUVs.

Michelin Uptis – Not to be outdone, the Unique Puncture-Proof Tire System, or Uptis, is Michelin’s answer to the idea of an airless tire. It has been developed as a joint project with General Motors and is expected to be available on passenger vehicles as early as 2024 – so this is likely to be more than just a concept.

Michelin VISION – This is much more of a long-term concept “tire” from Michelin that is meant to build on the Uptis project. It’s expected to be available sometime between now and 2050 and includes an airless design, 3D-printable tread that can be “recharged” as needed, include connectivity with apps and devices, and be made from 100% sustainable materials. We’ll check back on this one in 29 years.

Goodyear AERO – Perhaps the most unique concept tire we’ve seen is the AERO, which is designed to function as a standard tire and as a propeller for flying cars. Yes, you read that right – if we (finally!) get flying cars, this could be the tire that’s on them.

Goodyear reCharge – The core idea behind Goodyear’s reCharge concept tires is the ability to “recharge” the tread of your tire with a liquid compound that’s biodegradable, changing the process of replacing your tires forever.

Goodyear Concept for Lexus LF-30 – This tire doesn’t really have a name but was developed for the Lexus LF-30 Electrified concept car. Its design allows it to help with EV motor cooling by moving air from the fins on the tires toward the motor. The design and outer tire shape also reduce drag, boosting efficiency and improving range by making the vehicle more aerodynamic. We’ll see if anything happens with this design, but for now, they’re bespoke concept tires for a single concept car.

The future will certainly be interesting, no matter what the tires we end up with actually look like. And if we do take to the skies, then we think flashy tires might be the least of our worries.

Four tires are rolling on their own on a bright highway.

On the Road: What to Look for Right Now

For now, the tires available to you are a bit less science fiction and a bit more practical scientific design. That’s not to say they’re unimpressive; a great deal of research, development, and engineering has gone into modern tire design. From changing the chemical composition of the rubber they’re made from to shaping their grooves to work better on wet or snowy roads, modern tires are far more advanced than the ones that were available just a decade ago. They just lack the flashy fins of concept tires – and they make very poor propellers. If you’re looking for cheap tires in Cincinnati, then consider the following options:

All-Season – These are straightforward tires that work fine when they say they will: in all seasons. They work well on dry or wet roads, but they’re not particularly great for cold temperatures, ice, or a lot of slush.

Summer – Designed with warm weather in mind, these tires are excellent in areas like California and Arizona. They work well in wet and dry conditions but are not designed for cold weather.

Winter – These tires, on the other hand, are perfect for cold weather. They’re made from rubber designed to remain pliable in the cold and have deep grooves that are perfect for maintaining control on snow and slush. Studded versions give you extra traction on ice but are only allowed here in Ohio from November 1st through April 15th.

Performance – Performance tires are designed for speed and grip on performance vehicles like the Chevy Camaro or Corvette. They can work well in wet conditions, but they’re not designed for most vehicles.

All-Terrain – These tires are perfect for hitting the trail and going off-road. They’re designed to handle mud, dust, sand, and other rough conditions and are often designed to withstand rock crawling and other challenging activities.

Still not sure which tires are right for you? Call or come visit us at McCluskey Chevrolet today. Our team will listen to what your driving needs are and we’ll make sure you have the perfect tires to keep you in control at an affordable price.