Continental confirms global Smart #1 tyre supply
The new, full-electric Smart #1 is the first Smart model developed by the joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and Chinese carmaker Geely. Launch photos released by Smart Europe last year let the Continental cat out of the tyre supply bag, and Continental has now confirmed worldwide supply for the SUV in 18” & 19” tyre sizes.
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Trico wipers OE on a range of new BMWs
Original equipment wiper blade manufacturer, Trico, has announced that its rear arm and wiper blade have been chosen for the new BMW X1, 2 Series Active Tourer and iX models. The blade and arm use a completely new design that has been developed by Trico engineers specifically for these vehicles. The wiper uses a beam blade for maximum windscreen contact and the arm design is lower and flatter than previous versions, with a cleaner integration between arm and blade, resulting in increased visibility through the rear windscreen.
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Tevva hydrogen-electric truck clocks up 350 miles in wintry range test
While Tevva’s focus remains trained on building and delivering its battery-electric 7.5t vehicle, testing and development of its hydrogen-electric counterpart continues apace. Four Tevva engineers: Charlie Cordell, Byron Dolman, Ryan Clark and Toby Hurst were doing exactly that recently, with a ‘range test’ of Tevva’s dual-energy prototype truck. The exercise saw the foursome accumulate more than 1,000km (approximately 620 miles) in the 7.5t hydrogen-electric vehicle, driving between Tevva’s London HQ and the Scottish border at Berwick-on-Tweed - England’s most northernmost town.
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Kent’s largest independent bus operator fits Wheely-Safe solution
Independent public transport operator Go-Coach is Kent’s largest independent bus operator, operating 46 routes and carrying up to 5,500 passengers every day. The company is now rolling out Wheely-Safe technology across its fleet after a trial installation on a single Optare Solo bus flagged a potentially dangerous issue with brake temperatures.
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World’s first hydrogen-powered digger set to drive on UK roads
The world’s first digger, powered by a hydrogen combustion engine, will soon be on UK roads and building sites following recent government approval, helping to decarbonise the UK’s construction industry. The UK government has given special dispensation, under a vehicle special order, that allows JCB, the British construction equipment manufacturer, to test and use its world-first hydrogen-powered backhoe loader on UK roads. This backhoe loader is the first of its kind and offers a pioneering solution to help reduce emissions on construction sites.
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Vredestein Ultrac OE on BMW X1
BMW Group has chosen Vredestein Ultrac for its all-new BMW X1 and will fit this tyre to the sports utility vehicle in size 205/65 R17 100Y XL. Apollo Tyres will ship the original equipment tyre, marked with BMW’s star symbol on the sidewall, from its plant in Gyöngyöshalász, Hungary directly to BMW’s production facility in Regensburg, Germany.
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European car sales could grow 5-10 per cent in 2023 as battery electric vehicle competition heats up
A new automotive report from Bloomberg Intelligence (BI) anticipates 5-10 per cent growth for European car sales in 2023. European car sales climbed 12 per cent in January, helped by easy year-earlier comparisons, fewer supply-chain hurdles and pent-up demand that boosted registrations. While these new figures may bode well for sentiment, they still trail 2019 considerably, 25 per cent lower. In BEV share, the UK led other European nations, but other major markets now have the benefits of far more generous subsidies reducing the cost of the shift to electric powertrains.
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Tecalemit introduces EV-ready 2-post lift
The number of electric and hybrid-electric cars on the road is growing, and Tecalemit has introduced a lifting solution that addresses this change in the vehicle parc. It says the two-post Azur SF/9235/EVR offers a “comprehensive range of features to meet the needs of modern workshops” and as such represents the “future of vehicle lifting solutions.”
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US offroad race King of the Hammers won on Yokohama Geolandar tyres
Kyle Chaney won the 4900 Can-Am UTV race on Yokohama Geolandar off-road tyres at the off-road King of the Hammers race in California, 4-11 February. The season opening event for the year-long Ultra4 National Series racing tour combines desert racing and rock crawling, and is considered the one of the toughest off-road races in the world. At this year’s King of the Hammers, Yokohama Rubber supplied its Geolandar tyres to more than 30 vehicles, with models including the Geolandar M/T G003 mud terrain tyres including race-versions, and its Geolandar SD tyre for global off-road racing.
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Ring wins Auto Express inspection lamp mini test
Ring’s MAGflex Utility Inspection Lamp, RIL3700HP, has won Auto Express’s inspection lamps mini test alongside two other products. The lamp was designed to be versatile so that professionals in any industry can use it and benefit from its extra features. It is rechargeable, cordless and has dual 180° ratcheting and 360° twist functions, to direct light exactly where it’s needed, as well as hanging hooks and multiple magnetic bases for hands-free working, providing up to 1,000 lumen light output and two and a half hours operating time.
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Audi fitting Nexen tyres to latest A3
Nexen Tire reports that Audi A3 models sold in Europe are available with factory fitted Nexen N’Fera Sport and N’Blue 4 Season tyres. The fourth generation A3 wears the N’Fera Sport in size 225/40R18 92Y XL and the N’Blue 4 Season in 225/45R17 94V XL.
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7 new MAK wheels in 2023
Aftermarket alloy wheel firm MAK is adding seven new articles to its range in 2023. These seven products join four product ranges.
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VF900/60R42 : Continental introduces largest tractor tyre
Continental has launched its largest tractor tyre to date, the VF TractorMaster in size VF900/60R42. With a diameter of 214.7 centimetres, the tyre is larger than a door frame and weighs 450 kilogrammes. It has a load index of 189 (10,300 kilogrammes). Continental has developed the tyre size specifically to carry the weight of agricultural machinery producing more than 300 horsepower.
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Enso hails 35% reduction in tyre particulate matter emissions
Enso, which describes itself as “the world’s first sustainable tyre manufacturer”, reports that it has “successfully proven the benefits of specialist electric vehicle (EV) tyres” in trials conducted as part of the TfL FreightLab Innovation Challenge. According to the company, Enso tyres outperformed standard-fit tyres both in terms of reducing particulate matter (PM) emissions by up to 35 per cent and improving energy efficiency by up to 10 per cent in a 15-month trial.
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Auto Bild advises against 10 tyres
Congratulations to Hankook for its table-topping performance during the preliminary wet & dry braking component of Auto Bild’s 2023 summer tyre test, and well done to the other 19 finalists that also progress to the second and main round of testing. But what about the 30 tyres that didn’t make the grade – how well or poorly did they perform?
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