Tyre manufacturers can spend up to two years developing and creating the next generation of tyres. Lots of new and advanced technologies go into their design, and even when they are produced they have to be tested, and every small change in the design or tread patterns will result in adding two weeks per change made. Therefore if the manufacturers tweak the design, this results in a fortnight's worth of additional testing to the development time. During testing, computers analyse all the information on the new tyre to make sure they are perfectly formed. Computer simulation is also used at every stage of the tyre's development. All tyres that are designed for Europe have to meet strict safety guidelines, and once they have been approved for sale in Europe the tyre will be stamped with an 'E'.
As you would expect all of the tyres are tested to destruction. They are fitted to wheels and then spun up to a speed of 300 mph. This test is only for a few minutes as due to the heat generated from the friction even the best tyres will only last a few minutes. Each tyre has to be run through lots of different tests to make sure that they are safe. Specific tests are done depending on their design. An example of this is 4x4 tyres which would be tested off road to make sure that they can deal with the environment that they will be used for.
There are lots of different variables when it comes to car tyres: tyre construction, rigidity, shape and even the material and design of the carcass will all have an effect on the individual tyre itself. By changing or altering just one of these components ever so slightly can make a significant difference to the tyre.
When considering the design of the tyre the manufacturers also have to consider their target market place. Some of the more luxurious off road vehicles can cost in the region of £100,000 and even more in some cases! These customers are not going to be interested in the hardcore off roading tyres that have great grip in off road conditions but bounce around on your everyday roads - they are looking for comfort. The road noise of the tyre is another huge consideration, therefore all of these design factors have to be decided once the target market place has been agreed.
