The all-new 2011 Ford Fiesta is due for its US launch this summer, and Kumho reports that its Solus KH25 will be fitted as original equipment in size P185/60R15. This H-speed rated tyre, the Korean manufacturer states, is engineered to provide high performance grip and handling in all weather conditions while delivering long mileage.
Bridgestone is referring to the launch of the Firestone Winterhawk 2 EVO and Winterhawk 2V EVO tyre ranges as the completion of “major upgrade” to the brand’s winter tyre line-up. According to the manufacturer, the two new tyres incorporate the latest winter technological developments with EVO compound, a combination that reportedly enables it to set “new benchmarks in the standard segment”. Bridgestone states that the two Winterhawk products deliver best-in-class performance on wet, snow and dry.
Goodyear has been publicising its OTR successes, including an excellent performance in the World Ploughing Championship, the growth of its AGRI Club and the introduction of a new crane tyre. Andrew Mitchell Jnr, hailing from Forfar, Scotland, came second in the World Ploughing Championships in New Zealand earlier in the year, using Goodyear Optitrac DT806 tyres on his machine. Mitchell declared himself thrilled to have come in second and Goodyear says it was proud to have assisted this with their DT806 tyres fitted to his Ford tractor. Overall, there were ploughmen and women from over 30 countries competing at the 57th world championships.
Pirelli Tire North America has teamed-up with DUB, Ford, Microsoft and Roush Industries for the customized Crackdown 2 version of the 2011 DUB Edition Ford Mustang V6, reports Tire Review. The customized car, tied in with the launch of the XBox 360 Crackdown 2 video game, will be given away in a sweepstakes.
Bridgestone’s Eco-Rally 2010 will feature appearances from Ross Brawn, Patrick Head and Nico Hulkenberg with more names to be announced. Now in its fourth year, the Bridgestone Eco-Rally takes place on Wednesday 7 July and will showcase all the latest in low and zero emission vehicle technology in a convoy from Brighton’s seafront to London’s Hyde Park. At the finish line, it will join the UK’s largest sustainable transport exhibition, free to attend, at the Royal Albert Memorial.
Bridgestone has released details of fresh bike tyre fitments in the Sport-touring segment, as the recently launched Battlax BT-023 receives approval on popular models. The BT-023 rear and BT-020 front mix has now been approved for bikes such as the BMW R1200GS and the Kawasaki KLV1000. This newly approved dual fitment allows bikers currently riding on BT-020s the option to replace rear tyres with the BT-023 when the rear BT-020 is phased out in June.
The new Ma5da MX5 Cup started on 24 April at Snetterton and continues at Rockingham, Brands Hatch and Croft during the season, with a “Winter Championship to take place at Donnington and Brands Hatch in October and November – and Taiwanese manufacturer Federal has announced that it will supply its 595 RS-R sport competition line as the official tyre of the new series throughout the year.
At the same time Apollo Tyres introduced its moniker to the European markets at the Essen Reifen Show, the Indian company was also introducing the Vredestein name to its domestic customer base ahead of a launch taking place in the next 12 months. "We are working on launching the Vredestein brand in India. We will look at introducing it within a year… We have been studying the demands of the Indian market in the premium segment. The only thing is that in India, tyres are of low-level and heavier ones, and more in the mass segment," the Press Trust of India quoted Apollo Vredestein chief executive officer Rob Oudshoorn as saying.
The latest wheel design from Dezent features a classic ‘Y’ spoke design and machined face. Dezent’s newest product contrasts a lustrous gloss black detail against the lacquered face to present a stunning OEM+ style design that will look at home on a wide range of 4 and 5 stud Jap, Euro and Tuner cars. As well as a vast range of PCDs, automotive aesthetes can choose from either 16 or 17-inch in the popular 7.5-inch width, or an 18-inch rim in an 8-inch width. Prices start at £96 + VAT for the 16-inch size.
Marangoni is promoting the green benefits of its Marix ecology range of retreaded clean oil 4×4 tyres, with the launch of the new Panther four-season studdable tyre, bringing the total number of lines in the range to nine.
According to company representatives, “mobility off the road and protection of the environment are aspects that are seemingly – yet only seemingly – incompatible.” As a result the Marix Panther features the combination of a studrable tread, zero (aromatic) oil compound, non-directional tread pattern with “very low noise and good driving comfort” and Q, S and T speed ratings (approved for up to 160, 180 and 190 km/h respectively).
Techking reports an upcoming UHP addition to its Effiplus range of passenger car tyres. Called ‘Himmer II’, the new tyre will employ a full silica compound in order to deliver lower rolling resistance. Techking states the Himmer II’s asymmetrical tread pattern improves wet and dry grip, while the tyre’s shoulder area tread is designed in a way that controls the circulation of air between the tread blocks, thereby reducing noise.
Apollo Vredestein has announced it will use the Reifen Essen show as a platform to introduce the newest addition to its winter tyre line-up, the Vredestein Wintrac Nextreme. The design of this successor to the Wintrac Xtreme comes from Italy’s Giugiaro, and the tyre is intended to compete in the ultra high performance segment.
TEFORS (Tyre Education for Schools) has announced plans to host a competition for school pupils in North Shield’s on Wednesday 28 April 2010. The event will be held at the United Reformed Church in Northumberland Square, North Shields, with the event commencing at 1:45pm.
The contest will see a local school awarded for its entry in a TEFORS competition which asks the question: “What can you do with a scrap tyre?” In answering this, pupils have to prepare a display and give a two minute presentation, explaining their idea to a panel of judges. This event will be the culmination of several months of hard work for David Bavaird, the man behind (TEFORS). He launched the programme in October 2009, its aim being to educate primary school pupils on the importance of tyre safety and tyre recycling.
Buffing and grinding tool maker, B&J Rocket has announced plans to launch a second budget brand called Jenson. The Jensen product line consists of most in-demand buffing and grinding tools, with production of the tools remaining at the firm’s Middlebury manufacturing plant.
B&J Rocket’s new second line offers three types of copper carbides like flat faced and round faced buffout wheels as well as most commonly used contour wheels. The blades cover all general applications and fit in all standard buffing hubs. Furthermore they will be available without restrictions through the worldwide network of B&J Rocket.
Toyo Tire Europe has announced the Spring 2010 European launch for two of the company’s tyre ranges. The Proxes C1S and Proxes T1 Sport are both scheduled for release in this region, thereby strengthening Toyo’s high performance offering here. The Proxes C1S is described as a UHP comfort tyre designed for powerful executive cars. Toyo states that the Proxes C1S blends a refined, quiet ride with outstanding high speed manoeuvrability plus reduced rolling resistance.
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