GOODYEAR AND AUDI DEVELOP BESPOKE OE TIRE FITMENT USING VIRTUAL ASSESSMENTS FOR NEW AUDI A5

In the next chapter of the long-standing relationship between Goodyear and Audi, the two brands have collaborated to develop bespoke original equipment (OE) fitments for the new Audi A5 and S5, including an innovative virtually developed Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 tire. The tire model has been designed using multiple virtual simulation assessments.

Goodyear has supplied tires for many of Audi’s most exciting models, including the Q6 e-tron, e-tron GT quattro and RS e-tron GT. The new collaboration as the primary tire supplier for the Audi A5 and S5 marks the beginning of the next chapter in the partnership between these two iconic brands.

Goodyear tires, including the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6, Eagle F1 SuperSport and UltraGrip Performance 3, deliver fitments for Ultra High Performance, Ultra Ultra High Performance and winter driving applications, with varied focuses from low rolling resistance to excellent braking to meet the driver’s needs and preferences. These tires have ten fitments¹ that will cover the new A5 and S5 range in both saloon and Avant estate variants.

Audi And Goodyear’s Collaborative Innovation

When developing an OE tire for a performance car, subjective driver feedback is a crucial parameter that previously could only be measured with real-world track testing. Goodyear is leading the way with the use of virtual development to get efficient and versatile feedback from test drivers who know the performance characteristics that premium performance car drivers demand.

One of the Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 fitments was developed using Goodyear’s state-of-the-art Simulation Center at its facility in Luxembourg. Opened last year, the driving simulator allows Goodyear’s R&D team to develop OE tires virtually, testing and validating tire models more quickly and by saving resources, to reach first approval from the OEM with fewer physical tire models. The Simulation Center opening in Luxembourg followed the launch of the inaugural center in Akron, Ohio – and allows Goodyear to have a global approach to tire development.

In all, the process of creating this virtually developed tire took ten months and met Goodyear’s goal of achieving first approval by Audi on its first physical iteration, which was produced after two virtual development cycles to assess handling, mileage performance and noise. According to Goodyear’s calculations, developing just one physical iteration has the potential to save thousands of physical tires and thousands of kilometres of physical tire testing.

Luca Davide Andreoni, Head of Brand Goodyear: “We are pleased that the new Audi A5 and S5 are available with our summer UHP and UUHP and winter ranges. We are particularly proud of the benefits seen by using our state-of-the-art Simulation Center in the field of virtual tire development. By reducing the development process time, we were able to meet Audi’s demands faster and by using fewer resources, making performance tire development more impactful.”

Dr. Peter Knauer, AUDI AG, Development Chassis/Wheels: “The development work at Audi goes right down to the last detail. Each model gets its own tires. In the A5, they are geared towards efficiency and comfort, the S5 on performance.”

Three Hero Products On Offer

All tire fitments developed for the A5 and S5 models are from three of Goodyear’s hero product ranges in the UHP, UUHP and winter segments.

Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 is Goodyear’s award-winning¹ globally available tire designed for summer driving on wet and dry roads. Its low rolling resistance was a key feature for Audi, helping improve efficiency and comfort without sacrificing performance.

Inspired by the racetrack, the Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport shares DNA with Goodyear’s range of racing tires but is characterized by exceptional versatility and performance with balanced wet and dry performance on the road and track day capability. Stiffened tread ribs and a strengthened sidewall result in a responsive tire that allows drivers to feel feedback and enjoy exceptional performance for both road and track driving.

For winter driving, Goodyear’s UltraGrip Performance 3 is the latest in Goodyear’s line of UltraGrip tires. Recognised as the winner of ADAC’s² latest winter tire test for its “safe and precise driving characteristics,”² it delivers enhanced handling on snow and optimised wet braking while maintaining comfort through a noise-cancelling tread pattern.

Vehicle Tire Sizes available^* 

Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6

205/50R17 97W

225/55R17 101Y

235/45R18 98Y

Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport

245/40R19 98Y

245/40R19 98Y

245/35R20 98Y v1

245/35R20 98Y v2

Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3

215/55R17 98Y

235/45R18 98Y

245/40R19 98Y

_{1) Awards include Auto Bild summer tire test 2023: Auto Bild: 50 summer tires tested, dimension 225/45R18. Test car: BMW 3 Series. Issue 10/2023.} 

_{2) ADAC winter tire test 24 September 2024, dimension 215/55R17. Test car: Volkswagen T-Roc.}