More high performance OE fitments for Yokohama

Yokohama has been selected as original equipment tyre provider by Audi and Mercedes-Benz for a number of the German brands’ latest high performance cars. The newest addition to Yokohama’s high performance range, the recently-unveiled Advan Sport V105, has been adopted by both on some of their most rewarding drivers’ cars. Additionally Yokohama tyres were used recently to break a Nürburgring Nordschleife record for the fastest road-legal Subaru Impreza around the Green Hell. Built by Yokohama partner Revolution Motorstore in the UK, the Impreza was driven to and from the Nordschleife having lapped the circuit in 7:53.08.

Audi has selected Yokohama’s Advan V105 for the new version of both the RS6 and RS7 models, the highest-performance variants of its luxury saloon and coupe respectively. Advan Sport tyres will be fitted to all UK-bound versions, sized 275/35R20 on both models and will be an Audi-specific product, designated ‘R01’.

Several new models from the Mercedes-Benz range will also feature the Advan Sport V105, notably the CLS Shooting Brake. In addition, the new S-Class will also feature Mercedes-specific versions of the V105 – ‘MO’ marked and approved – as will the new A-Class and B-Class models. 

Tyres for the CLS Shooting Brake will be the same as those supplied for the CLS, sized 255/40R18 at the front and 285/35R18 for the rear. Those for the S-Class will be sized 245/50R18 and in addition, will feature Yokohama’s BluEarth logo, representing the manufacturer’s reduced environmental impact products. Tyres for the new A-and B-Class models will be sized 225/45R17 front and rear. 

The UK distributor, Yokohama HPT, has stocked replacement OE-specification Advan Sport V105 tyres, as well as replacement options for other cars since the end of March.

Yokohama partner’s Impreza lap record

Yokohama, which has a development centre located at the Nordschleife, has a long-standing relationship with Gateshead auto parts supplier and tuning store, Revolution Motorstore, spanning 16 years. When the retailer built the Impreza, celebrating its 15th anniversary, Yokohama tyres were the natural choice for the project, according to MD Glenn Campbell. Revolution chose the Yokohama Advan A048 road legal track day tyre for the attempt, sized 255/40R17. While the car was highly modified, it was driven directly to the circuit, completed its record lap and was then driven back to the UK, all on the same tyres, fuel and brake pads. A handful of tools and spares travelled in the car but it was a genuine road-going car.

The Impreza’s turbocharged engine was built with stronger Cosworth internal components and used a Turbo Technics modified turbocharger and fuel additives, sending a conservative 420bhp through the Advan A048s for the lap, despite the capacity to produce in excess of 500bhp if required. The car is also fitted with uprated suspension and brakes, as well as a wide-arch bodykit to house the larger wheels and tyres. Fredy Lienhard, proprietor of Nordschleife specialists Rent4Ring, to whom Revolution sends its customers to for guidance when tackling the Green Hell.

Commenting, Campbell said: “We have a very long-standing relationship with Yokohama and always use their products on extreme projects such as this one.”

Managing director of Yokohama HPT, David Seward, said: “I would like to offer our congratulations to Glenn and the rest of the Revolution team for an amazing achievement. We have worked with Revolution for many years and in that time, have come to understand that when they say they are going to do something, they do it and I am delighted that Yokohama was able to be part of their success.”

The full lap can be viewed below, on YouTube, and through the Revolution Motorsport Facebook page.