ERJ Tire Tracker: July/August

Nexen Tire is supplying OE tires for the all-new Dodge Charger and Challenger, which are set to be released in electrified versions by the end of the year. Nexen will be supplying N'Fera AU7 all-season UPH tires for both the petrol and electric models. Already a supplier to Dodge since 2014 and Challenger since 2018, Nexen said it is expanding its partnership with Stellantis, including participating in Jeep’s electrification projects.

Yokohama Rubber has begun delivery of the BluEarth-Van RY55 as an OE tire for Honda Motor’s new light commercial EV N-Van e, to be launched in Japan this month. The tire is the first “van-specific tire” from the fuel-efficient brand BluEarth, and is claimed to achieve high wet performance while enhancing wear resistance.

Bridgestone has been named exclusive OE tire supplier for Lamborghini Temerario electric supercar being launched in 2025. Bridgestone “custom-engineered” three tire fitments for the sports car to help it achieve “best performance on and off the track, as well as in tough winter conditions.” The tire maker is supplying its Potenza Sport and Potenza Race tires for the Temerario’s ummer and track fitments, and a Blizzak LM005 tire for its winter fitment. The tires were developed at Bridgestone’s R&D centre in Italy using virtual technology, which eliminated the need for 200 physical prototypes and cut development time by around 50%.

Goodyear has claimed ‘new performance standard’ for all-season tires with the launch of Assurance WeatherReady 2 tires. In internal testing, the tire is said to have outperformed competitor tires in terms of wet-handling, wet-braking and dry-handling. Features include Goodyear’s AquaTred tread compound that can adapt "seamlessly to any weather condition.” The tire carries a '3PMS' designation as suitable for use in snowy road conditions.

Hankook has launched the new Dynapro HPX, a new summer tire for SUVs and all-wheel-drive vehicles. The tire provides “uniform tread wear” and high mileage made possible by “a newly developed material mix and an enlarged contact surface,” according to Hankook. Furthermore, the tire delivers short braking distance, due to “improved adhesion during braking and when cornering in wet conditions.” Furthermore, 3D sipes placed on the main tread help provide “outstanding grip.” Compared with its predecessor, the Dynapro HP2, the tire achieves a 15% reduction in braking distance on wet surfaces, and a 7% improvement in wet handling performance, according to Hankook.

Nexen Tire has announced that its newly expanded European plant has been “steadily expanding” its OE supply to European car makers. In the quarter ended 30 June, the Korean tire maker began supplying OE tires for Baidu’s robotaxi Apollo RT6. Additionally, Nexen plans to supply OE tires for newly developed EVs in collaboration with various automakers including Jeep and Dodge.

Hankook is equipping the new Mercedes-AMG GT Coupé with UUHP tire Ventus S1 evo Z ex works. The all-wheel-drive sports car will be equipped with tires that have “a bespoke sports pattern and a modified tread mixture, which guarantee maximum grip.” The OEM approval including the “MO1” label on the tire wall marks the first partnership between Mercedes-AMG and Hankook. In particular, the Ventus S1 evo Z has an “extra-wide” tread, which together with a specifically modified tire pattern provides stability. Supplied from Hankook’s factory in Hungary, the tire has reinforced aramid hybrid cap ply, which further improves the performance, especially on dry surfaces.

Bridgestone India has launched a tire refilling and maintenance service for its Turanza 6i tires. The 100 Km check-up is a complimentary service provided to customers after the initial fitment of Bridgestone Turanza 6i tires in India. “This service is designed to ensure optimal tire performance, longevity and the premium comfort ride experience that Turanza 6i promises,” Bridgestone added. Bridgestone currently provides a similar service to customers in Japan.

Pirelli has launched the new P Zero MS to extend its ultra high-performance all-season portfolio. The tire, particularly developed for the North American market, has been billed as “a high-performance all-season tire designed for premium and prestige carmakers.” According to the tire maker several car makers have already chosen the P Zero MS for some models, including Audi for the new A4 and A6 e-tron. Some of the main features of the new tire are cornering grip on both dry and wet surfaces, particular resistance to aquaplaning, and high mileage, Pirelli explained.

Nexen Tire has received OEM approval for the new high-end Porsche Cayenne Sports SUV that will be equipped with the N’Fera Sport SUV tires. The “premium tires” are manufactured at Nexen’s manufacturing plant in Zatec, Czech Republic, the tire maker said. The product has asymmetrical patterns for high-speed driving and “excellent drainage performance”, helped by a 3+1 wide groove.
Additionally, the tire has high-speed driving stability and handling performance due to pattern design optimisation, and strong grip and braking power due to a new compound.

Toyo Tire has been selected to supply its Open Country A/T III as the original equipment for the Toyota Motor’s new Land Cruiser “250” which went on sale in June in the Middle East and elsewhere. The “exclusive all-terrain tires” are claimed to “combine design and performance.” Toyo said it used its tire design base technology “T-Mode” for tread pattern, providing support for both off-road performance in poor conditions and stability for on-road.

Open Country A/T III tires from Toyo Tire have been selected for the all-new Lexus GX, which went on sale in April 2024 in North America. The Open Country series support driving in off-road conditions while reducing noise. Designed with our Toyo’s “mobility aerodynamics” simulation technology, the tire is claimed to reduce air resistance produced as tires rotate, thus enhancing fuel efficiency.

Yokohama Rubber is supplying its Geolandar X-CV tires as OE to Lexus as an available option on the new luxury on-road SUV the GX 550. The Geolandar X-CV is a highway terrain tire developed for high-performance crossover SUVs, with increasing focus on high-speed performance and manoeuvrability. Based on the replacement market tire of the same name, the Geolandar X-CV being delivered to Lexus has been “finely tuned” to fit the SUV. The tires are claimed to “significantly reduce” rolling resistance, provide “outstanding steering stability” and be “highly reliable even in the harshest environments.”

Suzuki Motor’s Vitara S-Cross vehicles are being factory-fitted with Continental AG’s EcoContact 6 tires in size 17. EcoContact 6 has low energy consumption and high noise comfort, helped by continental’s “special rubber compound.” The compound, in combination with tread design, reduces energy absorption and reduces both friction and rolling resistance. In addition to short braking distances, Continental said, the tire also offers “reliable grip on dry and wet roads as well as very good cornering stability even at high speeds.”

Continental has been named “manufacturer of the year” at the UK’s TyreSafe Awards. Judges recognised Continental for its “leadership across innovation, testing, and research and development,” describing the German tire maker as a “pioneer in self-supporting ‘runflat’ technology, as well as tires designed to be able to continue to operate when punctured.” The annual awards, which took place mid-June, honours those dedicated to promoting tire safety and innovation.

Goodyear has launched the Cooper Discoverer Stronghold AT tire, the newest addition to the Cooper Discoverer family of tires. The all-terrain tire is designed for tough terrain and heavy loads for towing and hauling. Built with durability in mind, the tire delivers traction wide open grooves in the tread. Through its 3D sipe technology in the shoulders, the tire provides stability in cornering. Compared to its predecessor, the tire has improvements in handling on dirt and gravel, and features “improved treadwear and enhanced winter traction.”

ERJ Tire Tracker - May/June