2103 is a very important year for Dunlop with an anniversary celebrating 125 years of wins, innovations and records, but also marking the beginnings of a reshaped future of motorsport power. Dunlop is a GreenGT partner and is developing tyres for the GreenGT H2, the world’s first hydrogen fuel cell Le Mans prototype The car will embark on a worldwide demonstration that will be announced during the week of the Le Mans 24 Hours.
The car, which features electric powertrain technology, completed its initial tests on racing tyres inspired by the latest Dunlop Sport BluResponse tyres. Dunlop’s involvement with the programme initiated the design of specific race tyres for enhancing the performance and handling of electric cars, enabling them to drive further with less energy consumed whilst maximising the grip and performance.
Electric cars currently present challenges for tyre designers; to handle the extra weight of the vehicle, the load capacity of the tyre needs to increase and the drive for energy efficiency means the tyre design includes two features to lower rolling resistance:
• A low heat generation bottom compound improves molecular cohesion to reduce heat build-up thanks to less friction.
• The optimised shape and construction of the tyre provide increased longitudinal stiffness, limit the deformation of the tyre carcass and reduce the tyre weight, which in turn improves rolling resistance performance.
Just as Dunlop has achieved on its latest road tyre, the BluResponse AA concept which was awarded a Grade A for grip and a Grade A for energy efficiency, a reduction in rolling resistance will maximise the efficiency of the car.
After the initial testing , a new generation of Dunlop Sport BluResponse, race tyres will be developed with a focus on the torque vectoring properties and implications of electric powertrain technology for cars such as the the GreenGT H2.
Jean-Felix Bazelin, General Manager of Dunlop Motorsport: “The hydrogen fuel cell holds potential in powering future motorsport and in order to maximise the grip and energy efficiency of the car we must work with the designers of the new generation vehicles to create new tyre products that work efficiently too. Rolling resistance, where the energy is lost when the tyre is rolling, is where we, as the tyre manufacturer, can make a big difference to a project such as GreenGT. The car designers can make huge improvements to efficiency for the chassis and powertrain but all the energy is transmitted through the tyres so it is important that the tyres continue the energy efficient processes. We are thrilled to be involved with the development tyre for the first hydrogen fuel cell Le Mans prototype. Dunlop’s rich technical expertise and ongoing success in motorsport over the past 125 years means our knowledge will prove invaluable in the challenge of producing the tyre designs of the future.”
Source : Dunlop