Michelin shows hard surface tyre at Agritechnica
Next year, Michelin plans to extend its tyre line-up to fully cover all phases of the crop cycle and adapt to new types of use, and at this week’s Agritechnica show the tyre maker is presenting the new products joining its portfolio – on of these is the BibLoad Hard Surface, a new range for compact and telescopic loaders.
Continue ReadingCooper tyre supplier for fuel-efficient Elio
It may look like a Morgan three-wheeler from the future, but the Elio is one American company’s vision of fuel-efficient, safe motoring. The American-made car (or, as defined by US Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, motorcycle) is expected to be market ready late next year and deliver 84 mpg on the highway and 49 mpg in the city (2.8 litres per 100km and 4.8 litres per 100km), plus an anticipated 5-star safety rating. Original equipment tyres will be supplied by Cooper Tire & Rubber, a relationship that has just been sealed by the signing of a letter of intent between the tyre maker and Elio Motors.
Continue ReadingPneuTrac offers ‘clear benefits’, says Mitas
It’s neither a traditional tyre, nor is it a rubber track – the latest agricultural product from Mitas, the PneuTrac, is described by its creator as “bringing together the best of both worlds.” The tyre concept displayed at the Mitas booth during Agritechnica 2013, combines a traditional pneumatic tyre with a rubber track – and the result, says Mitas, is a 53 per cent larger footprint compared with a standard tyre.
Continue ReadingBridgestone ‘agri’ just for Europe
As reported yesterday, Bridgestone intends to introduce Bridgestone-branded agricultural tyres in Europe. The first products will be launched at next year’s ‘Reifen’ show in Germany and enter the market in the second half of 2014.
Continue ReadingBridgestone to expand multi-brand agricultural strategy in Europe
Bridgestone Europe will introduce the Bridgestone brand into the European agricultural tyre market, targeting the growing high-end segment. The brand, which will focus on meeting the special needs of the largest, most powerful agricultural vehicles and equipment according to Bridgestone, will be previewed at Agritechnica in Hanover this week (12-16 November 2013), while the company will launch its first product during May 2014’s Reifen show in Essen, Germany, making it available for sale in Europe during the second half of the year.
Continue ReadingMitas previews additions to SFT range
New sizes have been added to the Mitas Super Flexion Tyre (SFT) range. At this week’s Agritechnica fair in Germany, the tyre maker gave word of six new fitments for the SFT, a range designed for high horsepower tractors and initially sold in the North American market prior to their global release next year. The new sizes are 900/60R42; 710/60R34; 650/60R34; 710/65R46; 750/65R26 and 580/85R42.
Continue ReadingCosworth launches Subaru FA20 powertrain upgrade package at SEMA
Northampton power train supplier Cosworth has announced the completion of the first part of its multi-stage power package for Subaru’s FA20 powertrain. The Stage 1 upgrade brings together a fully tuned stainless steel exhaust system, a bespoke four into two into one exhaust manifold, a high-flow sports CAT, a high performance panel air filter and a specially mapped ECU program to ensure all these components work together in perfect harmony while conservatively improving power by approximately 24hp over the original equipment. The FA20 features in the Scion FR-S (Toyota GT86) and the Subaru BRZ. Cosworth is currently exhibiting the Stage 1 Power Package at Booth #23324 at Las Vegas’ SEMA Show.
Continue ReadingConti broadens solid tyre range
The solid tyre portfolio offered by Continental’s Commercial Specialty Tires (CST) business has grown with the addition of three new fitments for forklifts. These are the CS20, SC20 Mileage+ and SC20 Energy+. All three are super elastic tyres that fit on industrial pneumatic tyre rims and each is also available in a non-marking version for industries where a clean environment is critical.
Continue ReadingBridgestone adds Ecopia fitments to maxi scooter line
A low rolling resistance tyre has been added to Bridgestone’s BattlaxSC maxi scooter range. The Battlax SC Ecopia is said to reduce rolling resistance by 15 per cent while maintaining the wet and dry handling, stability, wear life and comfort found in the standard Battlax SC. Bridgestone says it was able to reduce rolling resistance – which primarily results from tyre deformation and the loss of energy via heat generation during rotation – by working on three factors that directly affect tyre rolling resistance.
Continue ReadingTGI introduces Duramas house brand
A new house brand has been added to Tire Group International’s portfolio. Called Duramas, the passenger car radial range is intended to offer economy while providing optimum tread life for a tyre in its class, and is initially available in six sizes.
Continue ReadingJanuary launch for 3 Michelin Pilot Road 4 tyres
Michelin will bring its latest range of motorcycle tyres in January 2014, with three versions of the Pilot Road 4 available in a total of 17 sizes. The Pilot Road 4, Pilot Road 4 GT and Pilot Road 4 Trail have been developed to decrease wet braking distances. The GT version of the tyre has been awarded a major original equipment contract too; it will be fitted to the new BMW R 1200 RT, one of the bestselling bikes in its category.
Continue ReadingAgritechnica launch for ‘revolutionary’ Mitas concept
The global premiere of the Mitas “PneuTrac” concept tyre will take place at the upcoming Agritechnica fair in Germany. Mitas describes the concept tyre, which pairs a traditional pneumatic tyre with a rubber track, as revolutionary.
Continue ReadingConti premieres RoadAttack 2 Evo at EICMA
The EICMA motorcycle show in Italy serves as a platform for the tyre industry to present next season’s new products. Pirelli says it will display two new Metzeler-brand motorcycle tyres at the show, and Continental is also bringing its latest to Milan.
Continue ReadingLicensees for self-inflating tyre sought
Czech Republic-based firm CODA Development is seeking licensees within the tyre industry for its patented Self Inflating Tire (SIT). The company says it will “immediately offer licenses to interested parties wanting to integrate SIT into their production lines.”
Continue ReadingConti: ContiEcoContact 5 is ‘ultimate eco performance tyre’
Developed in co-operation with Europe’s leading car manufacturers, the ContiEcoContact 5 “sets new standards in terms of the environment and safety”, according to Continental. As we all know, the continued challenge in tyre design is to reduce rolling resistance and wear whilst, at the same time, ensure that the tyre is still good at wet braking.
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