Giti Tire highlights new & expanded ranges

Visitors to The Tire Cologne had the opportunity to see to Giti Tire’s growing product portfolio. Highlights included Giti Radial’s latest UHP tyre, the SportActive 2, as well as extensions to the GT Radial FE2 performance range. The Giti brand was well represented, too, with the Giti4x4 AT71 heralding a return to the all-terrain segment in the UK.

Other developments in the Giti passenger segment included size additions to the GitiSport S2, GitiAllSeason and GitiSynergy H2 ranges. Amongst the latest innovations for the commercial segment was the Giti GDL617, the first tyre in the new Eco Road range.

GT Radial SportActive 2

Giti Tire’s Brian McDermott with the GT Radial SportActive 2 (Photo: Tyrepress / Stephen Goodchild)

Drawing our attention to the GT Radial SportActive 2 and accompanying SUV model, Brian McDermott, Giti Tire’s UK general manager and European PCR sales manager, reminds us of the respectable performance the tyre delivered in evo magazine’s most recent comparative test. A victory in the important aquaplaning test and a strong showing on the wet circuit led evo to declare SportActive 2 “a good tyre” that the testers liked for its “decent steering connection and ride.”

Launched at the start of 2021 and exclusively distributed in our part of the world by Micheldever Tyre Services, the GT Radial SportActive 2 delivers a 15 per cent improvement in wet braking and ten per cent enhancement in wet handling and aquaplaning resistance against the previous model. Testing conducted by TÜV SÜD (size 235/35ZR19 91Y XL) also shows a five per cent boost in mileage potential over the original SportActive, dependent upon driving characteristics, and low external noise of just 69db. SportActive 2 has achieved an EU tyre label rating of A for wet grip across the entire PCR range, with B-D ratings for rolling resistance.

Giti Tire recently added 28 new sizes to the SportActive 2 range. Fitting 16- to 21-inch rims, section widths from 195-295, series sizes from 35-55 and speed indices from V-Y, the tyre is now available in 42 dimensions for cars and SUVs.

GT Radial FE2

TÜV SÜD reports a notable generational improvement for the GT Radial FE2, too. It compared this high-performance range for cars and compact SUVs against the prior Champiro FE1 pattern (in size 205/50R17 93W XL). The testing specialist found that the FE2 performs 15 per cent better in wet braking tests, 12 per cent better in wet handling disciplines and provides a seven per cent increase in aquaplaning resistance. At the same time, mileage potential is five per cent better. The advancements resulted in the FE2 gaining an EU tyre label rating of A for wet grip across the entire range and B-D in rolling resistance for passenger car and SUV sizes.

Following the addition of 32 passenger car and SUV sizes, the GT Radial FE2 is now available in 33 passenger car sizes in a range that covers 14- to 17-inch rim diameters, while the FE2 SUV comes in 15 sizes for 16- to 18-inch rims.

Boubles drifting on Champiro SX-R

The eye-catching tuned BMW 1 Series e82 of French drifting ace Benjamin Boulbes was hard to miss on Giti Tire’s stand and was displayed fitted with an upgraded tyre combination for 2022. Sliding the gutsy 1,200 bhp machine to a win in the final round of last year’s French Elite Drift FFSA Championship but denied overall victory in the shortened season, the seven-time champion is teaming up with GT Radial again in 2022 and pairing the trusty Champiro SX2 front tyres on his BMW with new GT Radial Champiro SX-R tyres on the rear. Switching to the SX-R, which is available exclusively to Boulbes in Europe, provides him with a semi-slick sport tyre that features a professional racing grade canopy, special tread formula and unique casing structure for maximum performance and integrity at high temperatures and extreme forces.

This season Boubles races with Champiro SX-R tyres on the rear axle (Photo: Tyrepress / Stephen Goodchild)

Commenting on the new tyre configuration, Boulbes says he and his team are “delighted to have the new GT Radial SX-R on the rear axle.” He adds that the SX-R is “a big step up in performance from the GT Radial SX 2 in that position” as it gives “far more” grip – an essential characteristic in drifting – and control.

The GT Radial Champiro SX2 is an extreme performance summer tyre developed for drivers who want higher levels of traction, fast steering response and confident driving control in dry and wet conditions.

Giti4x4 AT71

Brian McDermott tells us that Giti Tire once again has a presence in the UK’s all-terrain tyre market thanks to the Giti4x4 AT71. The tyre is the first European market all-terrain tyre launched under the Giti brand name, and McDermott says the range targets a wide variety of vehicle types, from all wheel drive SUVs to rugged pick-ups.

Giti Tire shares that the Giti4x4 AT71 has an open transverse groove which effectively removes sediment and improves off-road performance. A shoulder guardrail combines to deliver additional off-road traction. A special tread compound improves traction, reduces noise, delivers increased wet grip and improves rolling resistance, while a patented bead structure provides better durability.

Giti Eco Road GDL617

Eco Road is a new green-flavoured range within the Giti commercial tyre portfolio, and the first tyre introduced is the Giti GDL617 Eco Road. Antonio Palummo, TBR automotive engineer at Giti Tire, tells us that the GDL617 Eco Road features a new compound that reduces heat build-up and thus minimises energy consumption. The tyre, which will launch later this year, has an EU tyre label rating of B for rolling resistance. Its introduction will follow that of two additions to Giti’s Combi Road line for regional and long-haul operations, the GSR237 Combi Road steer tyre, which arrives in July in size 355/50R22.5, and the GSR236 Combi Road, which will be introduced this September in size 215/75 R17.5 and be the first steer tyre to offer Combi Road technology in a fitment for small to mid-sized commercial vehicles.

Giti GDL617 Eco Road (Photo: Tyrepress / Stephen Goodchild)