Last year, Nexen Tire America Inc. previewed its environmentally friendly N'Blue ECO passenger tire technology at the SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) Show in Las Vegas. This year, the company officially launched the tire line in the same venue.
Compounding is the key to the N'Blue ECO's features, according to Brian Han, marketing communication team manager for Nexen Tire Corp. in South Korea. The high performance touring replacement tire adopted the low rolling resistance compound to maximize the energy efficiency by minimizing the rotation resistance on the surface (a light weight design reduces CO2 emissions).
New materials and technology not only reduce rolling resistance, but also are responsible for features such as cornering stability, long mileage and low road noise.
"Right now, we have 30 sizes planned," says Mike Park, marketing assistant for Nexen Tire America. They range from P185/65R15 86H to P235/55R18 99V. There is one T-rated size: P215/65R17 98 T.
15-inch: eight sizes, ranging from P185/65R15 86H to P215/60R15 93H.
16-inch: 11 sizes, ranging from P205/65R16 94H to P225/55R16 94H.
17-inch: eight sizes, ranging from P215/65R17 98T to P235/55R17 98H.
18-inch: three sizes, ranging from P225/60R18 99H to P235/55R18 99V.
The N'blue ECO, which stands for Nexen ("N"), a fresh and clean image ("blue") and ecology ("ECO"), will be available in all-season and summer tire versions.
