However, it’s the Goodyear Triple Tube tires that wrap those wheels that are truly futuristic. As their name implies, they have three tubes (as well as a main chamber) in them, just below the tread pattern. An internal pump can inflate them to change the air pressure along the inner and outer shoulders and the center of the tire.
In doing so, it can make the rubber perform in one of three modes. In the eco/safety setting, the Triple Tube reduces its own rolling resistance by airing up its three tubes to maximum pressure. In wet conditions, the pump inflates the center tube to a higher pressure than the ones in the shoulders to cut the risk of hydroplaning. A sport mode increases the size of the Goodyear’s contact patch by letting some of the air out of the inboard tube.
As you can imagine, given the advanced nature of these tires, they’re nowhere close to production-ready. Perhaps some time way, way in the future. Right now, you can watch a short video (below) about the Goodyear Triple Tubes.
Derek Shiekhi's father raised him on cars. As a boy, Derek accompanied his dad as he bought classics such as post-WWII GM trucks and early Ford Mustang convertibles.
After loving cars for years and getting a bachelor's degree in Business Management, Derek decided to get an associate degree in journalism. His networking put him in contact with the editor of the Austin-American Statesman newspaper, who hired him to write freelance about automotive culture and events in Austin, Texas in 2013. One particular story led to him getting a certificate for learning the foundations of road racing.
While watching TV with his parents one fateful evening, he saw a commercial that changed his life. In it, Jeep touted the Wrangler as the Texas Auto Writers Association's "SUV of Texas." Derek knew he had to join the organization if he was going to advance as an automotive writer. He joined the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) in 2014 and was fortunate to meet several nice people who connected him to the representatives of several automakers and the people who could give him access to press vehicles (the first one he ever got the keys to was a Lexus LX 570). He's now a regular at TAWA's two main events: the Texas Auto Roundup in the spring and the Texas Truck Rodeo in the fall.
Over the past several years, Derek has learned how to drive off-road in various four-wheel-drive SUVs (he even camped out for two nights in a Land Rover), and driven around various tracks in hot hatches, muscle cars, and exotics. Several of his pieces, including his article about the 2015 Ford F-150 being crowned TAWA's 2014 "Truck of Texas" and his review of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider, have won awards in TAWA's annual Excellence in Craft Competition. Last year, his JK Forum profile of Wagonmaster, a business that restores Jeep Wagoneers, won prizes in TAWA’s signature writing contest and its pickup- and SUV-focused Texas Truck Invitational.
Where do you go for answers when you have a Lexus with a gorgeous leather interior but are not sure about how to maintain that luxurious look? The "Club Lexus" forums, of course.