Kumho Tyres, the Korean tyre maker’s Australian operation, is continuing its relationship with eco-motoring organisation Greenfleet with the planting of 5,000 trees around the country. The trees are being planted to commemorate the Australian release of the Ecowing KH27; Kumho also partnered with Greenfleet last year, and 5,000 trees were planted to mark the launch of the Ecowing all-season tyre.
In addition to unveiling its Alphatread retread range at the Commercial Vehicle Show, Hankook will also host the world premiere of its latest truck tyre solution – one it says will “fill the gap between medium and long haul.” Other CV Show highlights for Hankook include a stand visit from the Northampton Saints Rugby Club and a competition to win VIP tickets to the Europa League Semi Final.
Maxxis launched its latest 4×4 product, the Trepador Competition at Autosport 2013. The tyre, designed to improve control on difficult terrain, has a multi-stage staggered shoulder pattern and nylon belt reinforced construction, and is designed to offer dealers the possibility of good margins. Maxxis invited specialist 4×4 tyre dealer Jerry Hunt of SETYRES in Portsmouth to join the manufacturer, and he declared himself impressed with the brand and new product.
Information released by Pirelli indicates that its new commercial vehicle second brand, Formula, will be released in steer, drive and trailer fitments; the initial line-up includes five steer sizes, five drive sizes and three trailer sizes. At present, European label ratings are only available for two steer and two drive sizes; the 295/80 R 22.5 and 315/80 R 22.5 steer tyres both achieved a ‘B’ rating for wet grip, ‘C’ for rolling resistance and 72dB external noise. The size 295/80 R 22.5 and 315/80 R 22.5 drive tyres were both rated as ‘B’ for wet grip, ‘D’ for rolling resistance and 74dB for external noise. The other nine sizes are ‘in preparation’.
As of today, Starco says its starco.com website will be quite different. The Danish company has revealed its new online identity – which it says introduces a ‘new era’ for Starco.
Italian tyre maker Pirelli intends to introduce a second brand of commercial vehicle tyres that takes its name, if not its heritage, from the company’s F1 involvement. At a recent dealer meeting in Munich, Germany, Pirelli presented examples of an associated tyre brand; this new, yet to be released range is called ‘Formula’, and the Pirelli says its introduction will complete the company’s heavy vehicle product range. Further details about the Formula brand are yet to be made public.
Add Harrods to your list of Pirelli retailers – the famed department store will display the Italian brand’s P Zero spring/summer clothing range at a pop up shop there throughout March.
Goodyear has introduced its EfficientGrip Performance tyre line at the Geneva motor show. The range will ultimately be available in 90 sizes from 14 to 18-inches, with 23 sizes available as of the start of March 2013. According to Goodyear, 21 tyres out of the currently-sold 23 tyres in the EfficientGrip Performance portfolio has been given an ‘A’ label rating for wet grip and a ‘B’ rating for rolling resistance, plus what the tyre maker says are “some of the lowest decibel values available on the market for such a range of sizes.”
The Geneva Motor Show has served as a backdrop for the official European debut of Bridgestone’s Potenza Adrenalin RE002. The premium sport tyre was first introduced last year, and Bridgestone says the aftermarket-only tyre was launched across Europe in February. The range focuses on 15 to 18-inch rim diameters and 60 to 40 series; the manufacturer describes the Potenza Adrenalin RE002 as an “urban sporty, offering car enthusiasts a daily driving sensation with sharp steering response and exhilarating sporty handling.”
The Geneva Motor Show is now underway and Apollo Tyres has presented its brand-new Alnac 4G there. This tyre, the second 4th generation product from Apollo, is specifically designed for compact and mid-size car segments. The Alnac 4G will initially be available in 29 V and H speed rated sizes. Apollo shares that all sizes have a ‘B’ wet grip label rating and a ‘C’ rolling resistance rating; noise levels are 69db.
Proxes R35A have been chosen by Toyota for original equipment fitment on the new Prius+. The first full hybrid seven-seater in Europe has been equipped with Toyo 215/50 R17 91V Proxes R35A from launch.
Toyo Proxes R35A tyres reportedly help the Prius+ to offer the lowest emissions of any seven-seater on the market.
In the US, Michelin Earthmover is partnering with tyre repair provider Tech International and leading Michelin Earthmover dealers to launch the ‘Michelin Earthmover Repair Accreditation Program’, an initiative the tyre maker says will provide “consistent and quality earthmover tyre repairs in Michelin’s accredited repair shops.” The new programme will be rolled out this year.
Milltek has released a new exhaust for the B8 RS4. Milltek’s engineers report that they were keen to maintain the all-round character and usability of the RS4, whilst injecting a little more drama – and power – into proceedings. Two systems will be made available upon launch; a primary cat back, with full EC homologation and approval for those looking to keep things ‘OEM+’ and a wonderfully toned non-resonated system that offers a perfectly pitched rasp and growl, but without the in-cabin resonance and droning of lesser systems.
The newcomer draws first blood – only a month after its launch, Dunlop’s Sport BluReponse has beaten the Michelin Energy Saver + in a head-to-head ‘mini test’ carried out by Auto Express magazine. Reporting its victory, Dunlop quotes comments made by tyre tester Jamie Fretwell from Auto Express, who declared the BluResponse a “worthy addition” to the tyre maker’s range.
At this week’s Tire Technology Expo in Germany, Silica supplier Solvay shared that it is considering further capacity increases on top of those implemented in 2011-12, which increased the firm’s global silica capacity by more than 10 per cent. Solvay said the increases were implemented to keep pace with demand for low rolling resistance tyres. The company didn’t share any specific details on upcoming silica product developments, however it confirmed that new innovations can be expected; announcements will be made once customers have been given samples for use in production trials.
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