ERJ Tire Tracker - Sept/Oct 2022

?ERJ tracks latest announcements from global tire manufacturers about new OE  fitments, road testing results and advances in compound development and tread design:

Sept/Oct 2022

Continental’s WinterContact TS 870 has come first in the Auto Express 2022 Winter tire test, securing top position in six testing areas including snow braking and snow circle, rolling resistance, dry handling, wet circle, straight and curved aquaplaning. Built “from the ground up” the tire features a newly designed tread pattern design, construction, and compound. As a result, it offers 3% shorter braking distances on ice and 5% better handling on snow when compared to its predecessor. Further improvements include: a 10% increase in mileage, 2% reduction in rolling resistance and improvements in grip on snow among others.

Apollo Tyres' Apterra Cross tires have been fitted as original replacement tires for the recently launched Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder and Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara hybrid SUVs. The tires are supplied to the car makers in the 17-inch size.

Continental has announced the launch of PremiumContact 7, the seventh generation of the successful PremiumContact range. For the new summer tire, the manufacturer said it had made “significant safety advances” including the introduction technologies such as a size-specific design, RedChili compound for the tread and an adaptive tread design. The tire is available in selected sizes, including sizes between 16 and 21 inches.

Yokohama Rubber is supplying its Advan V61 and Geolandar X-CV tires as OE to Mazda Motor’s new crossover SUV, the Mazda CX-60, sales of which were launched in Europe, Japan and other markets in September. The tire sizes being supplied include 235/60R18 103V and 235/60R18 107V Advan V61 tires and 235/60R18 103H Geolandar X-CV tires.

During IAA Transportation show, Goodyear presented a demo truck tire made with 63% sustainable-material content. The tire, said Goodyear, includes 15 featured ingredients across 20 components, including rice husk ash silica, four different carbon blacks and rapeseed oil.

Continental showcased a range of sustainable concept tires at the IAA Transportation 2022 in Hanover, including the Conti Urban specially designed for the electrified bus and delivery traffic of the future. Already approved for road, the tire features “almost 50%” sustainable materials. After just one retread, this figure increases to more than 90% Conti said.

Pirelli has launched its first all-weather tire – the WeatherActive range – exclusively for North America. The tire maker is providing the range in two versions: the Cinturato WeatherActive for sedans, which will be available in 16 sizes, and the Scorpion WeatherActive dedicated to SUVs and light trucks, available in 23 sizes. All tires come with a 60,000-mile limited treadwear warranty.

Bridgestone has launched its new flagship summer touring tire – the Bridgestone Turanza 6, which it says achieves “best-in-class” wet performance, mileage and energy efficiency. The tires features Bridgestone’s sustainable Techsyn technology as well as the lightweighting Enliten technology.

Goodyear has introduced a new addition to its commercial mixed service tire line-up Armor Max. The new Armor Max Extreme Service Drive (ESD) is promised to offer durability and traction in severe applications. The tire is now available in 11R22.5 H and 11R24.5 H sizes and is designed for heavy duty construction, logging, oil and mining work vehicles.

Sumitomo Rubber Industries (SRI) has secured a pair of OE fitments for its tires, supplying Dunlop “SP Sport Maxx 050” tires to the latest “UX250h/UX200” Lexus models which were launched this July. The tire maker will also supply Dunlop “SP Sport Maxx 055” tires to Toyota for use as factory standard tires on its latest Crown model, launched this September.

Pirelli has been awarded OE fitments for its P Zero tires with Ford equipping its seventh-generation Mustang with Pirelli P Zero PZ4 in size 255/40 R19 at the front and 275/40 R19 at the rear. In addition, Pirelli custom tires P Zero Corsa will be fitted on Horacio Pagani’s latest model, the Utopia. The tires will be supplied in size 265/35ZR21 at the front and 325/30ZR22 at the rear.

Bridgestone India has launched a new tire for the passenger vehicles segment, which it says has a special tread compound that extends tire life by up to 29% compared to the current variant B290. Bridgestone Sturdo is available in 27 sizes ranging from 12” to 16” and is targeted for hatchbacks, sedans and certain CUVs market.

July/August

Titan International has introduced a new “Ultimate Flex Technology” that combines the elements of conventional, increased flexion (IF) and very high flexion (VF) tires. Initially available for sprayer applications, the UFT tires allow farmers to replace any sprayer tire without having to worry about what other tires are on the other wheel positions.

Goodyear has enhanced its electrical vehicle tire portfolio with the launch of a new all-season tire Goodyear ElectricDrive, and two new sizes for its ultra-high performance tire, the Goodyear ElectricDrive GT. With the addition of four new sizes to its EV tire lineup, Goodyear said its ElectricDrive range is now a fit for 44% more battery EVs operating in the US.

Hankook has launched the new Winter i*cept RS3, an enhanced successor to its Winter i*cept RS2 tires. The new tires, Hankook said, offer shorter braking distances on snow-covered roads and improved handling on icy and wet roads. Hankook said it used “new micro edges” to increase the shoulder area of the tire, thereby improving both traction and lateral grip when cornering on snow.

Falken has unveiled two ‘next generation’ completely new tires for the winter season, the HS02 and Eurowinter HS02 Pro. The Eurowinter HS02 is available with a symmetrical, directional tread in 76 sizes with diameters of 14 to 19 inches and cross sections of 40% to 70% with speed indexes of T, H and V (up to 190, 210 and 240 km/h). The Eurowinter HS02 Pro for car and SUV drivers comes in 87 sizes with diameters of 16 to 21 inches and cross sections of 35% to 70% in speed classes H, V and W (up to 210, 240 and 270 km/h).

Goodyear tires have been selected as an original fitment on the upcoming Maserati Grecale. Initially announced in March, the car is the next generation in Maserati’s SUV range. The Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 SUV was selected due to “its sporty profile and performance”. The tire is claimed to offer “powerful grip” and features rim protection and SoundComfort technology.

Sumitomo Rubber Industries’ high-performance Dunlop “SP Sport Maxx 050” tires have been selected for OE fitment on the latest Lexus “UX250h/UX200” which were launched in July. The tires, said SRI, incorporate “a proprietary compound” to provide high performance in terms of manoeuvrability, ride comfort and a quieter drive.

Continental’s AllSeasonContact tires have won the top position in Gute Fahrt’s ranking of all-season tires in its August and September issues. The review noted “sure roadholding and dynamic handling in wet conditions and on dry surfaces, comfortable, quiet, with good rolling resistance and good all-round tread performance in contact with snow,” for the tires. Seven all-season products were tested in the 235/55 R 18 size. The test vehicle was a VW Tiguan.

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is fitting its cult ID. Buzz van with Conti’s EcoContact 6 Q summer tires – supplied in sizes 19″ and 20″. The tires, Conti said, offer “outstanding energy efficiency, service life, braking performance and handling.” The tread profile of the tire “constantly adapts” to the road surface to ensure a longer life, and the specially-developed rubber compound minimises friction to keep rolling resistance to a minimum, the tire maker added.

Continental’s high-performance 18″ SportContact 7 has been factory-approved for Mecedes-AMG’s C43 vehicles. The tire, said Conti, is designed for speeds of up to 186 mph and comes with the XL marking for enhanced load capacity. They also carry the sidewall marking MO1, which appears on all the tires specially developed for AMG.

Hankook has extended its OE partnership with Audi, now supplying tires for the car maker’s range of electric models, including the Audi e-tron Sportback, the Audi e-tron GT, the Audi Q4 e-tron and Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron. Previously, Hankook will supply Ventus S1 evo 3 ev tires, which are specially developed for electric cars.

Falken Ziex ZE310A Ecorun tires by Sumitomo Rubber Industries have been selected as OE fitment on Nissan’s latest X-Trail model, launched in July. The tire, said SRI, is an on-road SUV tire designed to provide “outstanding drive performance” and ride comfort. The tires are claimed to achieve “exceptional fuel efficiency”, helped by a tread pattern that ensures consistent contact pressure for lower rolling resistance.

Bridgestone’s Duravis R207A tires have been selected as OE on the new Hino Dutro Z EV released in Japan by Hino Motors - its first full-scale light-duty battery electric truck. These are said to be the first light truck tires to feature Bridgestone’s Enliten tire technology. This features special tread compounds, patterns and casings offering reduced rolling resistance and weight, and high wear-resistance. 

The new Aston Martin DBX707, billed as “the most powerful luxury SUV in the world”, is being specially fitted with Pirelli P Zero tires. To cope with the pressures and torque generated by the vehicle, Pirelli’s engineers created tires using a compound derived from that of Aston Martin’s grand touring models. It enhances rigidity in the sidewall due to a specific geometry in the canvas structure of the tire. Other features include the use of Pirelli’s noise cancelling system within the tires, which are being made using the ‘modular integrated robot system’ at Pirelli’s Settimo Torinese factory.

BKT has launched the FL 695 agro-industrial tire, specifically designed for trailers in construction and farming transport applications. The radial is claimed to be “extraordinarily resistant and durable” due to a strong casing with multi-ply steel layers providing protection against punctures. In addition, it is made of a special compound that contributes to increased cut resistance.

More to follow... 

May/June

Porsche rolling on 53% sustainable Michelin racing tires
A Michelin racing tire containing 53% sustainable materials has been fitted on the fully-electric Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 ePerformance at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, held 23-26 June in the UK. Michelin launched the tire at last August’s Le Mans 24 Hours with 46% sustainable materials. The latest upgrade with 53% proportion of biosourced and recycled raw materials to 53% offers the same level of performance and safety.

Conti recycled bottle tires available across Europe
Continental tires with ContiRe.Tex-technology can now be ordered by dealers across Europe. PremiumContact 6, EcoContact 6 and AllSeasonContact in five dimensions are each equipped with the sustainable technology which features polyester from recycled PET bottles in the tire carcass.

Apollo launching all-season Vredestein EV tires

Apollo Tyres has confirmed that it will launch an all-new, all-season Vredestein EV tires later this year. The company said it is collaborating closely with leading car makers and implemented “a major new research and development project2. The company said it is currently evaluating the new tire “through computer simulation and at dedicated hot- and cold-weather test facilities around the world.”

Goodyear eyes ‘dramatic market shift’ with Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6
Goodyear is heralding a ‘dramatic market shift’ with an extensive offering of its Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 tires, which were launched last year. By 2023, Goodyear expects to the tires to be available in 65 sizes from 17 to 22-inch fitments. Goodyear said it is targeting a broad range of cars, from compact performance hatchbacks through to crossovers, sports saloons, coupes and power hypersaloons with the large offering.

Pirelli e-tires for aftermarket
Pirelli Elect, tires developed for electric cars and plug-in hybrids, is now widely available for the aftermarket and for winter. Following the successful OE introduction of the technology over the past two years. The tire maker said it had ‘gradually integrated’ the Elect technology into all P Zero, Cinturato and Scorpion ranges: in summer, all season and winter versions.

Continental launches new VanContact Ultra
Continental has announced the launch of the new VanContact Ultra, which has been specially developed as a summer tire for delivery services and tradespeople. The tire is claimed to offer “economical driving, even in urban environments, with low rolling resistance and very high mileage.” The high mileage, Conti said, has been achieved through the use of “the latest generation of functionalised polymers in the tread compound.”

Conti tires on Mercedes all-electric EQB
Mercedes has opted for Continental tires for its new fully electric SUV in the EQ family. The new EQB will come off the line on 19-inch EcoContact 6 tires. Mercedes is also offering WinterContact TS 850 P as a high-safety ex-factory tires, equipped with runflat technology.

Goodyear launches new loader, truck tires
Goodyear has launched the GP-3E, a new tire designed for wheel loaders, articulated dump trucks and graders, employing its “specially formulated” type 6 compound which has advanced abrasion resistance to reduce operators’ costs. The tires also feature multiple steel belt carcass construction to improve tread wear resistance.

Continental SportContact 7 wins Auto Express UUHP test
Having entered the market late last year, Continental’s sporty flagship SportContact 7 tire has achieved the Auto Express 2022 ultra-ultra-high performance test, the fifth in the UK this year. As the seventh generation in Continental’s iconic SportContact range, the new tire is claimed to improve on all performance criteria compared with its predecessor.

Pirelli doubles original equipment on electric and hybrid plug-in cars
Pirelli doubled the total number of tire approvals on electric and plug-in hybrid cars in 2021, with an increase of interest from car manufacturers since its launch of the ‘Elect’ tire range in 2019. Car manufacturers, said Pirelli, have allowed the company to expand the homologation portfolio exceeding 250 total homologations on ‘green’ cars.

Continental, Tour de France extend partnership
Continental has extended its partnership with Tour de France until 2027, ahead of the major cycling race event which is set for 1 July this year. As one of the five main partners and the stage winner partner, Conti is equipping the official support vehicles in this year’s tour with tires based on its new ContiRe.Tex technology, which are produced from recycled PET materials.

FIA touring race cancelled in Germany for tire reasons
Race 1 and Race 2 at WTCR Race of Germany, scheduled as rounds three and four of the 2022 WTCR – FIA World Touring Car Cup, did not take place in “for safety reasons.” The decision was made 28 May, after official tire supplier Goodyear Racing confirmed that it could not guarantee that the tires provided for this event would perform as intended. Goodyear Racing said it was not able to provide conclusive reasons for the “tire issues” that had occurred during earlier track activity, data analysis has been completed.

Hankook launches new summer tires for EVs
Hankook has launched the Ventus iON S, the first summer tire in its new product range designed for electric vehicles. The tire is part of Hankook’s new “iON” family designed for premium electric vehicles, which will include the Hankook Winter i*cept iON in September 2022. According to Hankook, the tire offers “reduced rolling resistance, extremely low noise rolling characteristics and high load-bearing capacity”.

New Kia Niro rolls on Conti tires
Kia is factory-fitting tires from Continental on its new full electric Niro model. The tire manufacturer is supplying its EcoContact 6 Q, PremiumContact 6, and ProContact RX premium tires directly to the factory. In Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the car is being factory-fitted with 17″ EcoContact 6 Q tires. The HEV (hybrid electric vehicle) and PHEV (plug-in hybrid) versions are rolling ex works on 18″ tires from the PremiumContact 6 line. Customers in the US and Korea can choose the 18″ ProContact RX as all-season tires for their new HEV or PHEV.

Prinx Chengshan unveils new flagship brand at Tire Cologne
Chinese tire maker Prinx Chengshan debuted its new flagship brand Prinx during Tire Cologne, held 24 to 26 May. The new brand, which joins the company’s portfolio of Chengshan, Austone and Fortune brands, includes EV products, as well as winter and all-season tires. The tires also feature technologies such as noise-reduction Silenteck and instant self-repairing Healteck technologies.

Bridgestone developing tires for French hydrogen car maker Hopium

Paris – French manufacturer of hydrogen-powered vehicles Hopium is partnering with Bridgestone to develop custom-made tires for its high-end sedan, Hopium Machina. The goal of the partnership is to design tires with low rolling resistance technology to help improve the vehicle's 1,000 km driving range.

Goodyear introduces new all-season tires

Goodyear has expanded its all-season Mastercraft Courser portfolio, introducing the Courser Trail and Trail HD, as well as the Courser Quest and Quest Plus. The four tires, now available on the market, feature enhanced tread life and performance factors, according to Goodyear.

Michelin taps Enviro for ‘even more sustainable’ bike tires
Tire manufacturer Michelin has produced a new version of its motorcycle racing tire, with “an even higher share of sustainable material”. Developed ahead of the MotoE World Cup racing series, the new version consists of an average of 40% sustainable material, up from 36% in the previous season. A significant portion of the sustainable material is recovered carbon black supplied by waste tire pyrolysis company Enviro.

Pirelli receives JD Power OE tire award
Pirelli has scored highest in the passenger car segment in the JD Power 2022 OE tire customer satisfaction study. This is the second time in three years that Pirelli receives the title.

Bridgestone developing “hyper-efficient” tires for Mercedes-Benz Vision EQXX
Bridgestone has been selected by Mercedes-Benz AG as the development partner for tires for its technology programme, the Mercedes-Benz Vision EQXX. The custom-made Turanza Eco tires feature the Enliten lightweight technology to reduce rolling resistance and weight by up to 20%. The tire uses ologic technology to enhance battery range by means of a large tire diameter.

Apollo launches new gen farm tires
Apollo Tyres has launched a new generation agriculture tires – the “Virat” range – which is claimed to offer “superior performance” compared to competitors. The tires, feature 20 lugs, providing strong grip and long life in both soft and hard soil conditions.

Racetrack debut for Firestone’s guayule rubber tire
Bridgestone Americas is planning to debut Firestone Firehawk race tires made with guayule natural rubber during the Indy 500 Pit Stop Challenge, to be held 27 May. The tires, made from rubber harvested at Bridgestone’s guayule R&D facilities in Arizona, will make their competition debut at the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix in Nashville on 6-7 August.

Michelin launches CrossClimate 2 SUV tires in Europe
On May 1, Michelin announced the European launch for the CrossClimate 2 SUV tire, a new generation of 4-season tires which are claimed to offer strong performance in terms of dry breaking, wet braking, snow braking and wear.

March/April

BMW M3 refinement from AC Schnitzer to roll on Conti SportContact 7

Aachen-, Germany-based high-tech tuning company AC Schnitzer is currently refining BMW M3 vehicles upgrading total power to 610hp, with speed of up to 300k/h. The car will roll on the new SportContact 7 from Continental, to be fitted in size 285/30 R 20 at the front and 295/30 R 20 on the drive axle.

Hankook impress in summer tire tests
Hankook’s Ventus S1 evo 3 SUV tire has been crowned as “test winner” in a recent independent summer tire test by Auto Bild Allrad. The editorial team’s “exemplary” rating was based on “top off-road and dry road performance”. The SUV variant of the UHP flagship also proved to be a good off-road choice with “good traction on loose gravel and muddy terrain”.

Nokian connected tires win Fennia good design award
The Nokian Ground King Intuitu smart tires have been awarded the Fennia good design award, for its combination of Hybrilug tread pattern technology and wireless connectivity. The Hybrilug pattern, according to Nokian, bridges the gap between a lug and block pattern tire, and is “unlike anything else in the market”. The tire also uses Nokian’s Intuitu smart tire sensors and application, to optimise efficiency of tires for operators.

GM awards five tire makers
US car maker General Motors has recognised five tire makers as supplier of the year 2021. The tire makers include Bridgestone, Cheng Shin Rubber/Maxxis, Goodyear, Hankook Tire and Michelin, said the car maker 17 March. The companies were among 134 suppliers honoured by GM.

New Pirelli P Zero Elect tires for the all-electric BMW IX
Pirelli will supply P Zero Elect tires as original equipment to the new all-electric BMW iX, for the xDrive50 version and the sportier M60. P Zero Elect tires are available for the BMW iX xDrive50 version in 255/50R21 109Y XL and 275/40R22 107Y XL sizes, with the latter size also available for the sportier M60 version of the SUV.

Falken given “exemplary” rating by Autobild

Falken’s Azenis FK510 has been awarded an “exemplary” rating by German sportscar magazine Autobild in its summer tire test, after placing third in the overall rankings. The Azenis FK510s were found to have performed particularly well in safety, finishing high up the order in both the wet and dry braking tests, the tire maker announced.

Bridgestone tires OE fitment on Maserati Grecale
Bridgestone has been chosen as tire partner for the Maserati Grecale, providing Potenza Sport tires for the Italian company’s latest D-segment utility vehicle (D-UV). As part of the partnership, Bridgestone is providing fitments for the range-topping Trofeo and MHEV mild-hybrid versions of the Grecale. The Potenza Sport fitment for the Maserati Grecale Trofeo includes an asymmetric tread design with continuous centre ribs that are flanked by a large external shoulder. For the Grecale mild-hybrid versions the tires meet a challenging balance that includes dry handling, comfort and low rolling resistance, with a tailor-made tread pattern featuring optimised rib and void distribution.

Goodyear introduces 16 new sizes for Eagle Exhilarate
Goodyear has debuted 16 new sizes for the Goodyear Eagle Exhilarate, its premium ultra-high-performance, all-season tire. The tires feature technologies such as ActiveGrip for handling and traction; ActiveBraking for enhanced braking on dry and wet surfaces; and Wear Gauge which helps gauge remaining tread depth and vehicle alignment

Pirelli introduces EV replacement tires

Pirelli has launched its first replacement tire developed specifically for electric vehicles in North America. The P Zero All Season Plus with “elect” marking, has low rolling resistance, designed to increase the driving range while reducing consumption. Compared to a non-elect P Zero All Season Plus product, the new tire has shown a reduction of 15% of rolling resistance, Pirelli said. The tires will be available from 18 to 20 inches and come with a 50,000 mile limited treadwear warranty.

Hankook iON designed for electric vehicles

Hankook is launching iON family of electric vehicle tires in May. The tires, Hankook said, have reduced rolling resistance and high resilience compared to conventional tires. The products will initially be available in three designs at the market launch, in sizes between 18 and 22 inches: in Europe from May 2022 as the Hankook Ventus iON S summer tire pattern, and from September 2022 for the winter season as the Hankook Winter i*cept iON. The Hankook Ventus iON A tire will be available as an all-season version for the North American market.

Ferrari rolling on Michelin tires

Michelin has been chosen by Ferrari as an official tire supplier for its new 296 GTB. As a result, Michelin will supply two different tires for the car – the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S K1 for predominantly road driving, and the road legal Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2R K2 for tracks.

Dunlop “SP Sport Maxx 050” on new Nissan Ariya crossover EV

Sumitomo Rubber Industries has begun supplying high-performance Dunlop SP Sport Maxx 050 for Nissan Motor’s Ariya crossover EV. The tires, SRI said, incorporate advanced new compounds and the company’s Silent Core technology.

Hankook expands Ventus Prime tires family
Hankook has expanded the Ventus Prime family of high performance tires with the addition of Ventus Prime 4. The tire succeeds Ventus Prime 3, which Hankook says is its best-selling tire in Europe. Available in 67 sizes from 16 to 20 inches, in tread widths from 195 to 255 mm, the tire features “high mileage compound technology”. The technology involves higher silica content, resulting in lower rolling resistance and less wear compared to predecessor.

Yokohama extends offerings to BMW

The Yokohama Rubber Co. has begun delivering 20- and 21-inch Advan Sport V107 tires to BMW M GmbH for use on the automaker’s M3 and M4 high-performance sports models. Yokohama Rubber is supplying 285/30ZR20 (99Y) size front tires and 295/25ZR21 (96Y) rear tires. YRC had been previously supplying 18- and 19-inch tires as OE for the same models since November 2020.

Hankook Ventus on VW vehicles
Hankook has expanded its OE partnership with VW with OE agreement for three further vehicles from the Wolfsburg-based car manufacturer. Ultra-high-performance (UHP) tire patterns Ventus S1 evo 3 will be fitted on the Golf GTI und Golf R; and Ventus S1 evo 2 SUV or evo 3 SUV on the Tiguan R, the tire maker said.

Jan/Feb 2022

Hankook remains exclusive tire partner for W Series
Hankook has been selected as the official tire partner for W Series for a third season. The all-female single-seater series will race with Hankook’s high-end Ventus Race tire at eight Formula 1 weekends in 2022. Hankook has been a W Series partner since the formula racing series debuted in 2019.

Stellantis rolls on ‘double A rated’ Conti tires

Continental has developed a tire, based on its EcoContact 6 (215/60 R17 96H) with “a significantly improved rolling resistance” for Peugeot, DS and Vauxhall vehicles with electric drives and combustion engines. All electric SUVs, the Peugeot e-2008, the Vauxhall Mokka-E and the all-electric DS 3 Crossback E-Tense, as well as the combustion engine versions of these models, will be factory-equipped with the 17-inch double A-rated tire, according to Conti.

Michelin launches new Evobib farm tire

Michelin is launching a new version of its Evobib farm tire, which received a SIMA gold medal for innovation in 2017 for the 2-in-1 concept. The tire is specifically designed to be used with central tire inflation systems (CTIS), which offers an adaptive design for both road and field use. Two sizes of Michelin Evobib: VF 710/70 R 42 and VF 600/70 R 30, will be available for farmers from 1 April.

First test win for the Continental SportContact 7
Continental SportContact 7 received first place in the Tyre Reviews 2022 ultra high-performance test, the tire’s first ever test win. According to Conti, the new model features many improvements over its predecessors, including a reduction in wet braking distances by 8% and 6% better in dry braking. According to Jonathan Benson of Tyre Reviews the tire “sets a new benchmark in the wet, finishing both tests with an impressive gap to the next best tire.”

Hankook tires on 2022 Infiniti QX60

Hankook’s all-season Dynapro HP2 has been selected as OE fitment on the new ‘luxury SUV’ Infiniti QX60. The tire, to be supplied in size 255/50R20, features low noise, good handling response and low rolling resistance. The tire has a high density polyester carcass that improves steering stability and handling response while a high loading silica compound lowers rolling resistance for improved fuel efficiency.

Conti launches new tire for airport ground support operations
Continental has launched a new all-season industrial tire for airport logistics, with high braking performance both in summer and winter. The tire, which features three-rib tread for improved braking, and angled pocket sipes for optimum traction, will spare fleet operators from changing the tires every season. The tire is produced in Continental’s production site for industrial material handling tires in Otrokovice, Czech Republic.

Sumitomo Rubber launching first replacement tires for EVs 

Sumitomo Rubber will be launching its first tires designed for EVs this April in China. The new tire, e. ZIEX, according to Sumitomo Rubber, offers “one of the best energy efficiency” of any tire developed by the Japanese group. In addition, Falken Tyre Europe is also planning to release the “e. ZIEX” in 2023 as its first replacement EV tire for Europe.

Full-electric Mercedes EQA equipped with Conti tires
Mercedes has selected Continental to equip its new fully electric SUV EQA, which will come off the line on EcoContact 6 tires in sizes ranging from 18 to 20 inches. Continental has lowered the rolling resistance of the EcoContact 6 by 15% compared with its predecessor, using a special rubber compound. This reduces tire deformation caused by heavy loads and can increase the range by 3-4%. 

Pirelli P Zero on new Alfa Romeo Tonale

Specially developed Pirelli P Zero tires are fitted on the new Alfa Romeo Tonale, the Italian brand’s first mass production electric vehicle. In size 235/40R20 96V XL, the P Zero has been chosen as OE for the various versions of the Tonale: hybrid, plug-in hybrid Q4 and diesel. The two Milanese brands said they had been working on developing the tires for the vehicle since 2019.

Yokohama’s Advan Sport V107 on leading German car makers 

Yokohama Rubber has begun delivering Advan Sport V107 tires to BMW for OE use on the BMW X5 M performance sports activity vehicle (SAV) and BMW X6 M performance sports activity coupe (SAC). Yokohama had previously supplied Advan Sport V105 as OE 
In addition, Yokohama is supplying the Advan Sport V107 tires to Mercedes-AMG for the group’s electric vehicle Mercedes-AMG EQS 53 4MATIC+. The new EV is being fitted with 275/35R22 104Y size front and rear tires.

Continental supplies farm tires to New Holland

Continental AG has started supplying TractorMaster and VF TractorMaster tires for the New Holland T5, T6 and T7 tractor series. The New Holland tractors series will be equipped with tires of various sizes to better meet customers’ needs. The tire portfolio ranges up to a tire width of 710mm and a rim diameter of 42’’ 

Pirelli unveils the new Diablo Rosso IV Corsa
Pirelli has unveiled the new Diablo Rosso IV Corsa bike tires, which is claimed to be a ‘fiercer version’ of its predecessor Diablo Rosso IV. The limited edition “high-performance hypersport tire” offers higher grip in dry conditions, helped by a slicker tread design that offers a larger footprint area. 

Trelleborg displays “cutting-edge” tech for next generation farming 
Trelleborg is exhibiting TM1000 ProgressiveTraction at the National Farm Machinery Show 2022, held in Lousiville, Kentucky in February. The tire is claimed to provide “superior flotation, less stress on the soil and unbeatable traction,” compared to other products on the market. The tire, Trelleborg said, is designed to reduce fuel consumption and emissions, and assures “premium handling and comfort while extending tire life”.

Nokian unveils new light truck Hakkapeliitta winter tires 
Nokian is launching a new range of winter tires for van and delivery vehicles this autumn. The Hakkapeliittas range includes Hakkapeliittas C4 studded tire to “master all the elements of winter” as well as Hakkapeliitta CR4 Nordic non-studded tires for urban streets and unploughed urban gravel roads. Nokian said it increased the durability of the tires using Aramid sidewall technology. Key markets for the tires are the Nordic countries and Russia. 
 

Michelin launching news Pilot Sport 5, Primacy 4+ tires

Michelin is launching its new summer tire, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5, intended for sports car and high-performance sedan enthusiasts. The tire, Michelin claims, is “the best performing summer tire among its main competitors in terms of life span for the sports category.” Michelin is also launching its new Primacy 4+ summer tire, designed for sedans and SUVs, with high wear resistance. The tire features EverGrip technology, which combines two layers of rubber in order to offset the loss of tread depth and thus continues to better evacuate water when worn.
 
Falken set for spring launch of new Azenis FK520 
Falken Tyre Europe is launching a new range of Falken Azenis FK520 ultra high-performance tires this spring. The sporty handling oriented UHP tires are reinforced with Aramid, to provide greater stability and more precise steering behaviour. The weight of the tire has also been reduced by 10% compared to its predecessor, helped by “the latest construction techniques.” The new range will initially come in 81 sizes, from 17 to 21 inches, for cars and powerful SUVs. All tires in the series are authorised for speed category Y (300 km/h).

Apollo Tyres deploys EVs for tire deliveries
Apollo Tyres has taken the first step towards reducing its carbon footprint across its value chain. The company has kicked-off a pilot initiative by deploying electric vehicles for the delivery of tires from its regional distribution centre to multiple business partners in Bengaluru, in the southern part of India. 

Yokohama’s Geolandar X-CV factory-equipped on Toyota’s Lexus LX

Yokohama Rubber began supplying Geolandar X-CV highway terrain tires to Toyota Motor in January for use as original equipment tires on the new Lexus LX SUV. The Lexus LX is being fitted with 265/55R20 and 265/50R22 size tires.  Geolandar is Yokohama’s brand of tires for SUVs and pickup trucks, and the company is accelerating the expansion of the brand’s lineup.

Conti’s crossover tires on Land Rover Defender, Kia EV6 
All Land Rover Defender models, including the plug-in hybrid, are now equipped ex-works with Continental’s 19 and 22-inch CrossContact RX crossover tires. The line of tires was developed for crossover and sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and features a performance profile that is both sporty and suitable for off-road use. In addition, Conti is supplying its PremiumContact 6 and CrossContact RX tires, equipped with ContiSilent technology, to the all-electric Kia EV6 sporty crossover car in the UK. 

ZC Rubber OE on Hyundai trucks in China

ZC Rubber is supplying new patterns and sizes of truck tire ranges for various Hyundai long-haul truck models in China. These include Hyundai Hongtu EV model, a pure electric light truck, which is equipped with ZC Rubber’s high-performance tires. ZC Rubber will also be an OE tire supplier for the premium truck Hyundai Xcient for improved fuel economy. 

‘Top marks’ for Falken summer tires in 2022 ADAC wear test 

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The Falken Azenis FK510 summer tire has been awarded “top marks” in the 2022 ADAC tire wear test, which examined the tire abrasion particles produced by three summer and three winter tires from 15 tire manufacturers. The Falken Azenis FK510 came first in the 225/40 R18 fitment category, while the Falken Ziex ZE310 Ecorun came third in fitment 185/65 R15, contributing to Falken placing fourth overall.

Conti launching new UltraContact for summer tires 

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Continental is set to launch the new UltraContact passenger car summer tires, with ‘redesigned compound and tread’ to offer more mileage potential, safe handling, short breaking distance and low rolling resistance. Scheduled for spring launch, the tire tread features ‘YellowChili’ durable compound which reduces wear. 

Conti’s PremiumContact 6 on new electric Jaguar, Polestar 2
Continental has announced a series of new OE supply contracts, including with Jaguar Land Rover for the new all-electric I-Pace SUV. Conti will be supplying 22-inch PremiumContact 6 summer tires, featuring an extra load rating and ContiSeal puncture protection, as original equipment for the latest iteration of the car.  Similarly, the all-electric Polstar 2 is equipped with PremiumContact 6 and SportContact 6 tires as OE fitment. Conti will supply the tires in size 245/40 R20, with featuring ContiSilent technology for quiet driving experience. 

Hankook unveils futuristic airless i-Flex concept tire 

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Hankook unveiled the latest version of its airless i-Flex concept tire at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), held in Las Vegas early January. The non-pneumatic tire, mounted on Hyundai’s Plug & Drive (PnD) module, has a “biomimetic design” which enables “excellent shock absorption and load-bearing capacity”. To achieve the properties, Hankook said it adopted a “multi-layer interlocking spoke inspired by the cellular structure of living organisms.”

Dunlop sport on new Subaru WRX S4
Dunlop ‘SP Sport Maxx GT600A’ tires, by Sumitomo Rubber Industries, have been selected as factory standard tires for the latest Subaru WRX S4, which was unveiled last November. The tire incorporates “an innovative new rubber compound” that provides balanced high performance in terms of both rolling resistance and grip. It also incorporates a tread pattern to harness maximal cornering force. 

Yokohama’s Advan Sport V107 pm Brabus ‘off-roader’

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Yokohama Rubber’s flagship brand tire Advan Sport V107 has been approved by Germany-based Brabus for the Brabus 700/800/900 off roader based on the Mercedes-AMG G 63. The tires will be supplied in size 305/35R23 111Y XL.

 

NOV/DEC 2021

Yokohama Geolandar factory-equipped on Mitsubishi Outlander

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Yokohama Rubber is supplying Geolandar X-CV as OE for Mitsubishi Motors’ new Outlander SUVs. The tires have been used on Outlander petrol models sold overseas since July 2021. Shipments of the tires for PHEV models to be introduced in Japan, Australia and other countries began in November this year. The SUVs are being fitted with 235/60R18 103H size tires.

Goodyear launches Urbanmax tires for electric bus fleets
Goodyear has launched Urbanmax MC HL+, an electric tire designed to maximise the efficiency of city bus fleets. Based on the company’s Urbanmax MCA design, the new tire is adapted to support additional battery loads while enhancing lower energy consumption. The technology in the tire, which includes a new tread compound, design and construction, supports the need for operators to reduce CO2 and noise emissions, particularly in densely populated areas.

Cupra Born, Audi Q4 e-torn rolling on Bridgestone tires

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Bridgestone has been selected as tire partner for the first all-electric vehicle from Cupra, the Cupra Born. Custom-engineered Bridgestone Turanza ECO tires, equipped with lightweight Enliten Technology help the vehicle to reach a range of up to 548km between charges. Furthermore, Bridgestone will be supplying Turanza ECO summer and Blizzak LM005 winter tires for the Audi Q4 e-tron – Audi’s first compact, fully-electric SUV. 

Michelin launches “Connected Fleet”

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Michelin has launched a new umbrella brand for fleets. Connected Fleet combines all of the frnch group's fleet management services and solutions under the same banner, including Masternaut in Europe, NexTraq in North America, and Sascar in South America. The new unit encompasses support currently provided to 70,000 customers worldwide, representing a fleet of 600,000 vehicles in 48 countries. 

Hankook introduces new OTR tire for Europe 

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Hankook is expanding its off-road SUV range in Europe with the launch of Dynapro MT2, a tire designed for “difficult terrain”. A successor to the Dynapro MT, it is available in over 19 dimensions from 15 to 20 inches. Features include “split mould technology”, which is claimed to make the tire more robust than its predecessor. The product appears as if it has been seamlessly cast from a single mould. 

Pirelli zeros in on UHP tire of the year title 
The Pirelli P Zero has been delared as the ‘best ultra high performance’ tire of the year by evo magazine for a second time, according to the Italian tire maker. Pitted against eight other “well-known” competitors, the tire topped the evo test and was described as “a tire that proves you can have (almost) everything.” 

Auto Bild names Hankook ‘best manufacturer of 2021’
Hankook has been named best manufacturer for its all-season line of tires by Auto Bild magazine. The Hankook Kinergy 4S 2 all-season model range “made it to the podium” in each of the relevant product tests conducted by the magazine. A key factor was “the very high safety margins across all weather conditions in the tests.”

Maserati Opts for new Continental SportContact 7

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Maserati has opted to use Continental’s latest ‘premium offering’ the SportContact 7 as OE on its Levante and Quattroporte vehicles. The tire, which succeeds SportContact 6, features “an adaptive tread” capable of ideally responding to both wet and dry road conditions. Furthermore, Conti has used its “BlackChili rubber compound” to fine-tune the product “for optimal traction.”

Pirelli unveils new Diablo Ross bike tires
Pirelli has announced the arrival of the new Diablo Rosso IV Corsa, a high-performance “hypersport tire” that is claimed to offer sporty performance in supersport, naked or hypernaked bikes. The tire offers ‘higher grip in dry conditions”, “enhanced hard handling” and “performance consistency” compared to its predecessor Diabolo Rosso IV. 

Audi A3 factory-fitted with Falken tires 

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The Falken Ziex ZE310 Ecorun tire has been selected by Audi to be factory-fitted onto the Audi A3. Falken is supplying the tires to the Audi plant in Ingolstadt, Germany, where the dynamic compact class is manufactured. The tires are claimed to offer “excellent traction and grip on both wet and dry driving surfaces, supported by enhanced wear performance.”

Continental launches new loader tire 
Continental has launched the CompactMaster EM, a new telehandler and compact loader tire. The tire has been “specifically designed” to help operators handle demanding rough conditions and features “Turtle Shield” tread technology and a twisted steel cord. The hard shell, and more flexible steel wire construction, h