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The new BFGoodrich® Mud-Terrain T/A® KM boasts an
impressive lineage, starting with the world's first performance
light-truck radial in 1976 - the Radial All-Terrain, which
essentially created the light-truck tire performance market.
Four
years later, BFGoodrich® Tires introduced the first
performance radial designed specifically for mud conditions
- the Radial Mud-Terrain T/A.
Both
tires were put to the test of motorsports as a way to prove
the strength and reliability of radials in extreme off-road
conditions. In fact, the BFGoodrich® brand's celebrated
TriGard® construction, which calls for a three-ply carcass
and has been a key to the brand's reputation for exceptional
durability, was developed directly from the knowledge gained
through off-road racing.
Since
then, the BFGoodrich brand has continued the tradition of
racing the tires it sells to the public and using motorsports
to help develop technologies for the future. The lessons
learned in competition have helped engineers make improvements
in, among other things, traction control, durability and
tread life.
Along
the way, racers equipped with BFGoodrich tires have dominated
the sport, both on closed-course circuits in the Midwest
and in the desert where they have taken first overall in
15 consecutive SCORE Baja 1000s, including last year's event,
the Baja 2000.
The new tire is continuing that tradition. While it won't
be available to the public until August, the Mud-Terrain
T/AKM has already earned its first class victory, at the
2001 Baja 500.
When
the BFGoodrich brand says its light-truck tires are Baja
tough, it has decades of proof to back up the claim.
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GREENVILLE,
S.C. - Go-anywhere performance has just gotten better. The BFGoodrich®
brand's new Mud-Terrain T/A® KM, successor to the tire that
earned a place in history as the world's first radial mud-terrain
performance tire, is giving new meaning to rugged, tough and durable.
And, its off-road prowess is matched by its aggressive good looks.
("KM" stands for Key feature Mud.)
"When
we set out to improve a tire that was considered the industry
benchmark, we knew it wouldn't be easy," said Scott Dishman,
a marketing manager for BFGoodrich® Tires. "Our approach
was the same as the one we used to develop the All-Terrain T/AKO,
which we introduced in 1999, and that tire has been wildly successful."
According
to Dishman, improvements in the performance of the Mud-Terrain
T/AKM were achieved by fine tuning the current tire and making
small adjustments that produced big gains in performance.
"Our
goal was to develop a tire with superb off-road traction for all
conditions - mud, rocks, dirt and sand, balanced by good manners
on the pavement," Dishman said. "We've done that."
Based
on the results of tests pitting the new tire against its predecessor,
it's evident that the BFGoodrich® brand's engineers have turned
out another winner. The new tire is clearly superior in mud traction
and slick rock performance, making the Mud-Terrain T/AKM an excellent
choice for rockcrawling enthusiasts. It also provides improved
off-road durability, more even wear and a quieter, more comfortable
ride when compared with the Radial Mud-Terrain T/A.
Resistance
to hydroplaning, and traction in dry and snow conditions are at
the same high levels as those for the current tire.
Credit for
many of the performance gains goes to the tire's dual tread radius
profile, which helps create a larger, rectangular-shaped footprint,
thus putting more tread in contact with the road
surface. The more robust footprint contributes to improved traction
and performance in rock crawling.
The tread
pattern of the Mud-Terrain T/AKM features large, aggressive blocks
in the shoulder area for exceptional power in digging through
deep gumbo mud, dirt and sand. Appropriately called DiggerLugzÔ,
these traction bars contribute significantly to the tire's high-grip
capabilities. Also located in the shoulder area are self-cleaning
lugs, which allow the tire to maintain maximum traction.
While
the high-void tread design closely resembles that of the Radial
Mud-Terrain T/A, the orientation and sequencing of the interlocking
elements have been changed to deliver superb performance in rock
climbing. This feature also accounts for the tire's quieter ride.
The Mud-Terrain
T/AKM sports a rim protector to guard against off-road hazards,
particularly when air pressures are lowered for aggressive off-road
conditions. BFGoodrich® Tires' TriGard® construction featuring
a three-ply polyester carcass provides excellent bruise resistance
in the sidewall and under the tread. Single-strand beads contribute
to a smooth ride and tire uniformity.
The Mud-Terrain
T/AKM is available in 25 sizes, seven more than the previous tire.
The lineup includes popular 16-, 17- and 18-inch wheel sizes as
well as a 37-inch overall diameter dimension. Clearly, the line
is emphasizing larger sizes, which are desirable in rockcrawling.
According to Dishman, additional sizes that are even taller and
wider are planned within the next year.
BFGoodrich
tires are made for people looking to take control of the driving
experience. They combine technological expertise with the experience
gained on and off the racetrack to offer a traction advantage
for every type of vehicle and driving preference.
