Patent ID: 8028731

Claim:
A pneumatic tire comprising: a carcass structure having at least one carcass ply and at least one annular reinforcing structure associated with said carcass ply; a pair of axially opposite side walls on said carcass structure; a belt structure arranged at a radially outer position with respect to said carcass structure; and a tread band arranged at a radially outer position with respect to said belt structure and generally comprising a first elastomeric material incorporating at least one portion substantially of a second elastomeric material, wherein the tread band comprises at least one groove defined in said at least one portion substantially of the second elastomeric material; wherein the ratio between the modulus of elasticity under compression at 100° C. of the second elastomeric material and the modulus of elasticity under compression at 100° C. of the first elastomeric material is not lower than 1.30; and wherein the ratio between the IRHD hardness at 100° C. of the second elastomeric material, measured in accordance with standard ISO 48, and the IRHD hardness at 100° C. of the first elastomeric material, measured in accordance with standard ISO 48, is lower than 1.10.