Bridgestone’s X30 tested by UK motocross stars
A number of big motocross names have visited Worcester’s Apex Motocross to try Bridgestone’s new X30 tyre. Multiple British champion Paul Malin appeared as a star guest, with guest appearances by Motors TV commentator Amy Dargan and Bike Channel presenter Suzy Taylor. Two Kawasaki KX250Fs and a pair of Kawasaki KX450s were available to ride on the day, and the tyre was given a tricky workout in torrential rain. The manufacturer will add the new X20 soft terrain tyre to its 2015 motocross range in April.
Continue ReadingFalken gets Volkswagen Passat OE nod
The new Volkswagen Passat will roll on two versions of Falken’s 16” Ziex ZE914A tyres. Debuting at Autosalon in Paris at the start of October, the new Passat had the Ziex ZE914 redeveloped by Falken’s engineers in Japan and tailored to the Passat’s specifications. The new tyre is also available as standard in an Ecorun variation – the manufacturer’s designated fuel efficiency boosting brand.
Continue ReadingBBS presents CI-R rim in platinum silver
Wheel manufacturer BBS is showcasing its products together with Swiss importer Carex at the Geneva International Motor Show (Stand 7450/Gate 729). The event will see the premiere of the CI-R high-performance wheel in a new platinum silver finish. The weight-optimised wheel, has a concave shape and Y-spoke design. The proven flow-forming technology and backmilled spokes facilitate a lightweight construction – the rim is even lighter than the BBS classic CH-R. The three moulds used in the production of the 20-inch wheel ensure three different concavities.
Continue ReadingFrench revolution: Michelin presents an all-year tyre for ‘temperate’ European climates
A major announcement from Michelin on the sidelines of the Geneva Motor Show represents something of a ‘revolution’ and paradigm shift for the French manufacturer: The traditionally staunch supporter of seasonal summer/winter tyre swaps has released the CrossClimate, a European-market tyre intended for year-round fitment.
Continue ReadingTrelleborg launches European Road Show at SIMA 2015
Trelleborg has launched its European Road Show 2015 at SIMA 2015, with one-day events planned in Italy, Sweden, Germany, Poland, France, Spain and the UK. The manufacturer says the roadshow will provide multiple field demonstrations of how farming professionals can enhance their operations and protect the future of their businesses. Trelleborg’s ‘Blue Box’ interactive mobile stand will also provide visitors with information about its range of digital tools.
Continue ReadingMitas agricultural ‘slick’ tyre – ‘designed by pullers for pullers’
Mitas has launched a “slick” agricultural tyre designed for use in the niche sport of tractor-pulling. The Powerpull 30.5L-32 is manufactured without a tread pattern, allowing the competitor to create the winning tread design. Its bias-ply construction and manufacture is based on a process similar to that of the Mitas’ high-horsepower tractor tyres, which the Czech company says will guarantee endurance and durability.
Continue ReadingETD aims to establish the Leao commercial tyre brand
Marcus Reedijk is both founder and managing director of European Tyre Distributors B.V. (ETD), a company specialising in the import of Chinese tyres for the European market. ETD is located in Strijen, near the port of Rotterdam, and anyone visiting its offices can’t help but notice when driving down the Strijener Industriestraat that the road is lined left and right by enormous warehouses belonging to various companies that all bear the name Reedijk. These companies are the product of an extraordinary “tyre family dynasty,” and each has a history that in some way involved Marcus Reedijk at some point in his 45-year tyre industry career, even if he’s no longer personally associated with them today.
Continue ReadingNokian introduces Weatherproof all-season range
Nokian Tyres has provided details of a new range it says will “put an end to the tyre change roulette that bothers drivers each spring and autumn.” Scheduled for an autumn 2015 launch and developed with motorists in Central Europe in mind, the Nokian Weatherproof family aims to “combine reliable winter safety with the precise driving stability and firm handling of the Nokian summer tyres” and will be available in passenger car, SUV and van fitments.
Continue Reading4×4 or SUV tyre sector?
During the course of the last decade, the 4x4 vehicle sector has rapidly evolved out of its utilitarian roots and – thanks to the advent of the Sports Utility Vehicle or SUV – become a distinct category of often luxury road-going cars. The speed of this evolution has increased thanks to the arrival of the Crossover Utility Vehicle or CUV. In-turn these changes necessarily impact the make-up and even the definition of the 4x4 tyre market. All this has been further impacted by the European legislation putting pressure on reducing noise levels produced by out-and-out off-road tyres in particular. The result is a market that is now much more SUV than off-road or even mixed-use driven.
Continue Reading2014 European trailer market hits forecast levels, UK the star performer
The West European trailer market saw substantial growth in 2014, with an increase of 14.8 per cent over the previous year. According to new data produced by Clear International, the star performers were the UK and Germany, both of which saw their markets increase by 5,000 units. Other strong performers were Spain, France and the Netherlands where trailer demand was up by more than 2,000 units. In fact only Italy, Norway and Denmark failed to register a double digit percentage increase, the latter two only because they had both seen good increases in previous years.
Continue ReadingGoodyear beats Pirelli and Continental in Autozeitung summer tyre test
The third summer tyre test of the season is now in circulation, and like the previous two it comes to us from Germany. Motoring magazine Autozeitung compared 14 size 225/40 R18 92W/Y tyres. The rubber from European and Asian manufacturers was fitted to a 1.8 litre Audi A3 and evaluated for performance in wet and dry disciplines. With a score of 269 out of a possible 300 points, Goodyear’s Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 was rated the test winner.
Continue ReadingDunlop launches SP 344* 17.5” Truck Steer regional commercial vehicle tyre
Dunlop has introduced the new SP 344*, renewing its SP 344 regional haul steer tyre range in 17.5” rim sizes. The latest generation of the series is designed for demanding delivery and regional haul service requirements. Dunlop says the new iteration features increased robustness combined with good mileage, even wear, excellent handling and wet braking performance.
Continue ReadingJCB chooses Michelin BibLoad Hard Surface for OE following trials
JCB will fit Michelin’s new BibLoad Hard Surface tyres as original equipment across its extensive range of loadalls, telehandlers and backhoe loaders. The machinery manufacturer consulted with a number of its customers, testing the tyres in real-world situations prior to the deal. JCB said that the trials demonstrated high levels of damage resistance and impressive handling on rugged surfaces, leading to the new OE deal.
Continue ReadingSilverline 4×4 tyre range ‘evolving’
Silverline 4x4 wheels and tyres, a company well-known for its specialism on off-road-capable tyres, reports that even its range has evolved in light of changing trends towards SUVs. One manifestation of this can be seen in the addition of a number of more road-orientated Atturo brand tyres to the company’s line-up at the end of 2014, namely the AZ 800, 850 and 600.
Continue ReadingPower is nothing without style?
Pirelli and the development of SUV/4×4 tyres With its emphasis on style and high performance, Pirelli aims to make itself synonymous with premium and UHP tyre products in general. When it comes to the SUV/4×4 tyre sector, the Italian manufacturer is no different. Global sales of vehicles fitting into this category are expected to have […]
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