Bridgestone has been selected to supply tyres for the Airbus A350 XWB (eXtra Wide Body). The tyres fitted to the aircraft, comments the Japanese tyre major, will include its “RRR” (Revolutionary Reinforced Radial) construction, which Bridgestone says will contribute to reduced fuel consumption, enhanced cost management, and improved safety.
Continental Tyre Group is highlighting the benefits of using its free online fuel saving calculator to lower operational costs. Continental’s fuel saving calculator is designed to compare all premium competitor products for regional and long distance applications. By entering the fleet size, the number of kilometres travelled per year, the average fuel consumption of the selected tyre brand and the fuel cost in £ per gallon, the tool calculates the annual fuel consumption with the chosen brand and the annual fuel spend.
A most useful addition has been made to the motorist’s arsenal: Richbrook has released a digital tyre pressure guage that is not much bigger than the average keyring, yet boasts an accurate gauge that measures in both PSA and BAR to a +/- 1 per cent level of accuracy – a degree of accuracy typically found in much larger units. A blue display is intended to facilitate measurement reading in all weather and lighting conditions. and the unit’s design also incorporates an inbuilt flashlight and key clip, making the gauge a handy travel companion in all manner of situations.
Pirelli has launched the Winter Snowcontrol Series II, which the tyre manufacturer describes as an “environmentally-friendly high performance winter tyre developed for small to mid-sized vehicles.” According to the company the new Snowcontrol Series II, like Pirelli’s UHP-orientated Sottozero Series II, aims to broaden the company’s winter tyre range in order to meet every market’s requirements.
Every time you pad across the kitchen floor and help yourself to a refreshing drink from the fridge, you are reminded exactly how efficient – or inefficient – the large cooling appliance standing before you really is. Thanks to the EU Energy Label you can spot at a glance whether your beverage is kept at the desired temperature by a frugal “A” rated fridge or a power slurping “G”. With a sigh you walk away, drink in hand, wishing your tyres had come festooned with similarly helpful information…..
Fret no longer: On April 22 the European Parliament approved – by a large majority – a number of draft measures that will see various performance related measures, including fuel efficiency and noise levels, supplied with new tyres. The new rating system, pencilled in for implementation by late 2012, will use a scale similar to that utilised on the EU Energy Label.
A new official Goodyear distributor has been appointed in Malta, United Automobile Limited (UAL). The beginning of this relationship was marked at a UAL service centre in Lija, and was attended by Goodyear’s Mediterranean regional business leader, Martin Lumb.
Toyo Tire USA Corp. has added two new sizes to its Toyo M154 regional highway radial. The new sizes are 265/75R22.5 and 245/75R22.5, both in load range G.
Released last year, the M154 incorporates Toyo’s proprietary “e-balance” technology for endurance and irregular wear resistance. Toyo said the tyre is “ideal for steer applications, but well suited for use in any position” and “helps to reduce fuel consumption while delivering reliable operation.” (Tire Review/Akron)
Michelin’s Agilis van tyre is the recipient of the What Van? Technology award for 2008. This is, says the tyre maker, further recognition that its Agilis sets the standard for van operators seeking increased grip, extended longevity, reduced fuel consumption and thus lower CO2 emissions.
Presenting the What Van? Technology award to Michelin, magazine editor Neil McIntee emphasised the significance of the Technology award. “The attributes of the new Michelin Agilis light commercial vehicle tyre offer vehicle operators improvements in all sectors of a tyre’s performance. In judging this category these advantages clearly indicated the merit of the Technology Award being presented to Agilis. This award is not presented every year but only when the judging panel identify such an important innovation as Agilis.”
Michelin has appointed Birmingham based agency Seal Communications to handle both its consumer and trade public relations in the UK and Ireland. Seal Communications will begin in this capacity as of January 2009, promoting Michelin’s tyre range plus its map and guide products in a variety of print, broadcast and online media.
Motorists passing the Eden Tyre Sales Farndon Road, Newark branch will have noticed the “life-size” Michelin man standing on the forecourt. According to the company, the iconic figure is a free airline service, dispensing air to any passing motorist eager to maintain correct tyre pressures to minimise fuel consumption, reduce CO2 emissions and to be certain that the car handles and stops as efficiently as possible.
Semperit has introduced a new 385/55 R 22.5 tyre for midi-trailers, the “EuroTrailer”. This tyre is the first in the brands new Euro product range and offers the benefit of around 5 cubic meters more cargo volume – and reportedly better mileage – for heavy road freight. The new EuroTrailer is available now in the 385/55 R 22.5 size with 160/-K and 158/-L indices.
A conventional trailer, i.e. a trailer with standard 385/65 R 22.5 tyres, has an internal height of 2.70m. The 385/55 R 22.5 version of the new Semperit “EuroTrailer” allows an additional internal height of at least 10cm and therefore increases the possible cargo volume by up to 5m³.
With diesel costing more than a pound a litre, DC PowerSystems claims to have designed mobile tyre van compressor that offers a potential fuel of £10,000 over the course of the van’s life. The figure is based on the typical service life of a mobile truck tyre fitting van. Want to know how this works? The trick is that the DC PowerSystems compressor only needs the host vehicle engine to run at 800 rpm rather than the 1700 rpm typical PTO driven systems require. As a consequence, the reduction in fuel usage equates directly to a reduction in carbon emissions.
Working with the Power Train and Vehicle Research Centre at Bath University, DC PowerSystems aimed to establish the level of fuel savings that could be achieved. A simple test enabled the fuel consumption of the host vehicle to be determined while the compressor system was running on load, by reading the data directly from the vehicle’s ECU.
Reducing fuel consumption and pollutant emissions plays a major role in the automotive industry. In response to these demands and to increasing European demand for turbochargers, BorgWarner Turbo & Emissions Systems has enlarged its facility in Oroszlány , Hungary.
Among the company and government officials attending the recent inauguration ceremony in the town (situated 80 km from Budapest) were Roger Wood, President and General Manager of BorgWarner Turbo & Emissions Systems, the American Ambassador April Foley, the State Secretary of the Ministry of Economy Géza Egyed and plant manager Kornél Schmidt. Thanks to rapid growth in the turbocharger industry and to the successful co-operation with numerous customers a new hall was built, covering an area of 4650 m2. The increased total space is now 13.500 m2 and 600 people are currently employed.
Iran’s Polymer and Petrochemical Institute incorporated “highly friction-resistant” nanotechnology into the development of vehicle and aircraft tyres. According to a Meridian Institute report, Iranian researcher Mohammad Karrabi said: “In this method, the frictional resistance of tyres has been increased through calculating the mechanical characteristics of them. Lower rolling resistance and higher frictional resistance will lead to less fuel consumption.” He also said that the use of nanotechnology will help Iran’s automobile manufacturers compete in the market. The project, which was launched with support from the Presidential Office last year, will be completed by next year.
From June 2007, Banner is to equip the BMW 1 and 3 series with AGM technology batteries, which have a lead-acid basis and employ glass fibre nonwoven mats. This product offers the special cyclical resistance, which is needed for use in BMW’s gentle hybrid concept. The recovery of brake energy and an automatic start-stop system reduce CO2 emissions without any loss of engine performance. Banner now offers the AGM batteries in OEM quality and wishes to further expand its co-operation with BMW.
From June 2007, Banner is to supply the BMW plant in Regensburg with a 90Ah AGM battery for standard inclusion in the BMW 1 (3/5 doors) and 3 Series (Coupé). During the remainder of 2007, around 50,000 of these batteries are to be supplied to BMW and subsequently, the delivery volume is to be systematically increased through the linkage of additional BMW plants.
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