Magazine for the professional tire industry
Issue link: https://mtd.epubxp.com/i/394657
MTD October 2014 Same terrain, new KO tire Te all-season KO2 is designed for better traction and durability in all terrains, plus it's a snow tire By Ann Neal T he terrain is the same, but the new BFGoodrich All- Terrain T/A KO2 light truck tire is diferent from its predecessor. By comparison, it has tougher sidewalls, longer tread life and improved traction for of-road and high- way driving. Michelin North America Inc. says the All-Terrain T/A KO2 will appeal to light truck and SUV drivers who use their vehicles on the highway, on the work site and in of-road conditions. Te KO2 is an all-season tire that has earned the three-peak mountain snowfake designation for snow traction. The KO2 is positioned between light truck tires made primarily for the road and tires designed for heavy of-road use. Te company says the KO2 is signifcantly improved over its predecessor in areas its research identifed as important to consumers: sidewall strength, puncture resistance, traction and durability. "We see the trends over time where vehicles are heavier and stronger with more horsepower, and consumers want to be more versatile with their products," says Kevin Reim, senior product concept designer. "We built this tire specifcally in response for those demands." In comparison to the KO tire it replaces, the KO2 has: • twice the tread life on gravel; • 15% longer tread life on asphalt; • 10% beter traction in mud; • 19% improved trac- tion in snow; and • 20% more resistance to sidewall spliting. The improvements add up to a beter per- forming, more durable tire, according to the company. The com- pany 's motor spor ts program develops new technologies that feed into mass market prod- ucts. For example, the new tire's 20% increase in sidewall strength is due to the use of propri- etary CoreGard technology developed for the Baja T/A KR2 competition of-road tire. "Te KO2 is the frst BFGoodrich consumer tire to use CoreGard technology to resist sidewall spliting," says Reim. Te KO2 is the fourth generation of the KO, which was introduced in 1977. Te KO2 was used last year in the inter- national Baja 1000 of-road race that takes place on Mexico's Baja California Peninsula. Reim says the tire's performance on the car that won the Baja Cham- pion class "helped to prove the toughness" of the KO2. Changes to the shoulder contributed to beter traction and helped expand the tire's of-road capability, according to Reim. "Before the KO2, we didn't have a whole lot going on in the shoulder. It's good because it doesn't compromise the contact patch that meets the road for on-road performance." Diferences include a serrated shoulder versus the straight shoulder of the KO and side biter lugs that "stick out to grab onto things when you are of-roading." Reim says the KO2 is the toughest tire the company has ever built. "Consumers will be purchasing a well-rounded tire that performs very well on the road, is relatively quiet and comfortable, has good handling response and is excellent for wet conditions as well as dry conditions with long wear on the highway. Yet it has the versatility and capability to go of road when needed." Te KO2 has an obvious appeal for the serious of-road enthusiast, according to Dan Newsome, U.S. country operations manager, BFG LT tires. "It's also expected to appeal to anyone who regularly faces challenging gravel, dirt or snow-covered roads. Te KO2's toughness, durability and traction, as well as its improved tread life and great road manners, deliver strong benefts, whether for work, play or just to get home." Te KO2 launches Nov. 1 in 12 sizes as well as plus ftments. Additional sizes will be introduced in 2015. Te KO2 will be available in more sizes than the KO. Te company plans to ofer 61 sizes in North America, up from the current 53 sizes. Te Focus on industry The KO2 will be released Nov. 1. Several sizes are new to the line: 35X12.50R18LT 123R LRE LT265/70R18 124/121R LRE LT275/55R20 115/112S LRD LT275/55R20 115/112S LRD LT275/60R20 119/116S LRD The KO2 eventually will be avail- able in 61 sizes. The following sizes will be new to the line: 34X10.50R17 LT 120R LRD 35X12.50R17 LT 121R LRE 34X12.50R18LT 121R LRE LT255/70R17 121/118S LRE LT255/70R18 117/114S LRD LT265/60R18 119/116S LRE LT215/65R16 103/100S LRD LT225/65R17 107/103S LRD LT245/65R17 111/108S LRD LT255/55R18 109/105R LRD LT285/60R18 118/115S LRD The KO2 is 20% more resistant to sidewall splitting, according to a proprietary test developed to simulate sidewall failures. 56