BFGoodrich® Tires Introduces Its Toughest All-Terrain Tire

GREENVILLE, S.C., Sept. 9, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- BFGoodrich^® Tires, the company that created the first all-terrain tire in 1976, is set to launch its most advanced light truck tire ever this fall with the new All-Terrain T/A® KO2 tire. 

Engineered from BFGoodrich's championship off-road motorsports racing technology, the KO2 delivers exceptional toughness, durability and traction for traversing harsh conditions, including gravel, dirt, rock, mud and snow. The new KO2 will give consumers the confidence to take on the toughest challenges for work or play.

The BFGoodrich^® All-Terrain T/A^® KO2 tire is the first consumer tire to incorporate the company's race-proven and race-winning CoreGard™ technology that gives it unmatched toughness against sidewall splitting. Compared to the already formidable current KO tire, the new KO2 is 20 percent stronger in this critical off-road performance area¹.

The rugged KO2 is also durable, lasting twice as long on gravel roads and 15 percent longer on asphalt², allowing off-road enthusiasts to extend their adventures and working professionals to get more use out of the tire.

In addition, the KO2 improves its already legendary tradition of all-terrain performance with 10 percent greater traction in the mud³ and 19 percent greater traction in the snow⁴ compared to the previous-generation KO tire.

The KO2 is an all-season tire that will carry the 3 Peak Mountain Snowflake symbol, indicating that it exceeds the Rubber Manufacturer Association's severe snow traction requirements.

Building on BFG's long heritage as an innovative all-terrain tiremaker, the KO2 incorporates technology developed and tested through the brand's legendary off-road motorsports teams that have earned 80 off-road wins at races in the Baja peninsula – by far the most of any other tire brand.

"Thirty-eight years ago, BFGoodrich launched a tire that created the all-terrain category," said Dan Newsome, BFGoodrich Tires country marketing manager for Light Truck Tires. "Just a year later, the company launched the original KO, which defined the all-terrain tire category for decades. BFGoodrich is once again unleashing a game-changer that will take on anything 'Playground Earth' has to dish out. It grips better on mud and snow, while lasting longer on gravel and asphalt. The KO2 is designed as a tire that will pose no boundaries for drivers taking on a new world of adventures."

In developing the KO2, BFG engineers leveraged the latest off-road racing technology to provide consumers with an advanced tire to meet a range of conditions. KO2 borrows heavily from the BFGoodrich^® Baja T/A^® KR2 tire, which was equipped on nine of the top 10 finishers in the 2014 Tecate SCORE Baja 500. Key features of the KO2 include:

• Tougher Sidewalls: The KO2 uses CoreGard technology developed in the Baja T/A KR2 for split and bruise-resistant sidewall rubber and a thicker, extended shoulder to prevent sidewall failures. Computer modeling was used to predict object paths and create a sidewall design most likely to deflect protruding objects, reducing the chances of splits and snags. The result is a tougher tire as consumers take on trails of various conditions.
• Longer Treadlife: The KO2 has a new tread design and rubber formulation that helps it last twice as long on gravel and 15 percent longer on asphalt than the previous tire. The tread rubber has been optimally blended to reduce chips and tears on gravel. A new footprint shape and interlocking tread design provide more uniform wear over the long haul. Special stone ejectors push objects out of the tread to reduce drilling into the tire.
• Aggressive Traction: The KO2 also has a range of tread features for better mud and snow traction. Side-Biter lugs in the sidewall improve traction in mud, snow and rocks. Raised bars in the shoulder help release compacted mud for better traction in soft soil. 3-D sipes create biting edges for better snow traction.

"The KO2 has an obvious appeal for the serious off-road enthusiast," said Newsome. "It's also expected to appeal to anyone who regularly faces challenging gravel, dirt or snow-covered roads. The KO2's toughness, durability and traction – as well as its improved treadlife and great road manners – deliver strong benefits, whether for work, play or just to get home."

The KO2 will be released to consumers on Nov. 1, initially in 12 sizes fitting a range of vehicles, including Ford, Chevrolet, GMC, Dodge, Toyota and Nissan pick-up trucks and SUV's as well as Plus Fitments for a wide variety of vehicles.  The MSRP for the tire starts at $222. Additional sizes will be released in 2015.

For more information, photos and videos about the BFGoodrich® All-Terrain T/A® KO2 tire, please visit www.BFGoodrichTiresKO2.com.

About BFGoodrich^® Tires
With more than 100 years of heritage, BFGoodrich^® Tires is dedicated to providing high performance tires for those who have a passion for driving in virtually any environment. Combining technical expertise with 40 years of motorsports experience, BFGoodrich Tires delivers tires for a full range of driving experiences from ultra-high performance street to off-road terrain with one common theme – extreme performance. Come upgrade your performance with BFGoodrich and see where our tires can take you at www.BFGoodrichTires.com, on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/BFGoodrichTires or on Twitter at @BFGoodrichTires.

¹ Based on internal sidewall splitting test vs. BFGoodrich® All-Terrain T/A KO tire in size LT265/70R17. Sidewall splitting test results were derived from a simulated sidewall aggression testing machine (patent pending US20120245859A1).

² Off-road results based on commissioned third-party gravel endurance tests vs. BFGoodrich® All-Terrain T/A KO tire  size LT265/70R17. On-road results based on internal wear tests vs. BFGoodrich® All-Terrain T/A KO tire  size LT265/70R17

³ Based on internal subjective mud condition traction tests using SAE ratings and converted to percentage by competitive analysis programs vs. BFGoodrich® All-Terrain T/A KO tire in size LT 265/70R17.

⁴ Based on commissioned third-party tests vs. BFGoodrich® All-Terrain T/A KO tire in size LT 265/70R17. Standard GM Spin test was used.

SOURCE BFGoodrich Tires