Marking its 100th anniversary, Citroën developed a special concept car, the 19_19 Concept – an autonomous, connected, electric vehicle. Goodyear was selected to create a bespoke tire for the application, which would deliver the performance required for this unique vehicle.
“Goodyear’s C100 concept tire was specifically designed for the Citroën 19_19 Concept vehicle. It features technology to deliver maximum comfort and efficiency for electric mobility and the intelligent capabilities needed to support an autonomous vehicle,” said Mike Rytokoski, chief marketing officer, consumer Europe at Goodyear.
The C100 concept has a tall and narrow structure at nearly 1m in diameter. This larger diameter would deliver efficiency, comfort and performance benefits, from lower rolling resistance – to increase the energy efficiency and range of the Citroën 19_19 Concept vehicle – to improved ride and wet grip performance.
The C100 features a custom, nature-inspired tread design that provides both comfort and handling benefits. With nearly 100 more blocks in its tread band than the average tire, the C100 would deliver a far quieter ride – a crucial consideration for ensuring comfort in electric vehicles. In addition, the C100’s tread groove compound is inspired by the attributes of a natural sponge. With its ability to stiffen in the dry or soften in the wet, this adaptable tread would enhance handling, grip and braking in both conditions.
The C100 concept is designed to use advanced sensor technology. It would be able to sense road surface and weather conditions and communicate with the vehicle’s autonomous control system to improve driving performance. It would also feature advanced active wear technology to assess the state of the tire, enabling proactive tire maintenance.
“Citroën is a mobility pioneer that throughout its history has developed iconic vehicles and groundbreaking new technologies. As they mark their 100th anniversary, Goodyear is honored to partner with Citroën in writing another chapter in the future of mobility,” Rytokoski concluded.
