Goodyear Partners with Lexus to Show the Future of Electric Mobility

The Lexus LF-30 Electrified concept car celebrates the brand’s 30th anniversary and is designed to promise a unique dynamic driving experience. This unique vehicle represents Lexus’ bold new vision of vehicle electrification and was originally presented sitting on four bespoke Goodyear concept tyres at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show. 

It was presented again on Tuesday, March 3rd at Lexus’ live press conference during the Virtual Press Day of the 2020 Geneva International Motor Show.

Goodyear’s concept tyres are tailor-made to benefit the modern, sleek and sporty design of the Lexus. They are engineered to support the EV motors and to improve the overall comfort and performance of the car.

“We are proud to have worked on this project with Lexus, a company that has been pioneering innovations in mobility for 30 years”, explained Mike Rytokoski, Vice-President and Chief Marketing Officer, Goodyear Europe, “This collaboration demonstrates once again the critical role tyres can play in shaping the future of electric mobility.”

The LF-30 Electrified concept tyre includes several innovative features:

• EV motor cooling: Drawing on Goodyear’s expertise in aerodynamics, the concept tyres have been designed to improve the cooling of the EV motors. Cool air enters through the front bumper intake, and fins on the tyres drive the flow towards the electric motor positioned behind each wheel. The hot air produced by the EV motor is then expelled towards the outer edge of the rim of the LF-30 Electrified.
   
• Reduced aerodynamic drag: The tyre design, along with the outer tyre shape improves the Lexus’ aerodynamics by reducing drag, resulting in higher efficiency and battery range.
   
• Noise reduction through biomimicry: Goodyear found inspiration in nature when designing the concept tyres. The leading edges of the cooling fins are covered with a fine velvet like that on the wings of an owl, which enables this predator to silently catch their prey at night. Through this biomimetic solution, the rolling noise of the tyre has been reduced to a minimum.

Goodyear’s concept tyre for the Lexus LF-30 Electrified concept comes in a 285/35R24 size.

Source: Goodyear