Autoclimate Offers Denso Compressors
The latest addition to Autoclimate’s fast-growing portfolio of air conditioning components is the range of Denso compressors; the brand fitted as OE by many of Europe’s leading car makers.
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Toyo Announces Technical Partner Agreements with European Manufacturers
NewsToyo Tire & Rubber has formed technical partner agreements with Breyton, BMW’s tuner, Kleeman, Mercedes Benz’s tuner, and Sportec, Porsche’s tuner. According to the company, the agreements represent a part of Toyo Tire’s efforts to collaborate with leading European tuners. Toyo Tire expects that the partnerships with these three European tuners will be mutually beneficial in terms of technology information exchanges and increased brand exposure gained by promoting their brands with each other at trade shows and advertising activities.
European Car Registrations
Product NewsThe European car market rose 1.5 per cent in April according to POLK. Among the different OEMs BMW registrations were up 22 per cent and Porsche 26 per cent.
Figures were down 1.1 per cent for VW and 0.1 per cent for Renault. Mercedes brand sales were up 2.5 per cent. On the weak side: Peugeot was down 4.7 per cent and Fiat again very weak, was down 15 per cent. Overall, April was a good month for the premium brands, volume brands remained sluggish.
New Off Road Tuning Wheel
Product NewsSize does matter. Well that’s what Cobra Technologie & Lifestyle say. And in keeping with this philosophy the company now offers the new Cobra Sahara 10Jx22 light-alloy wheel for premium off-road vehicles such as the BMW X5, the Mercedes M-Class, the Mitsubishi V60, the Porsche Cayenne, the Volvo XC 90 and the VW Touareg.
F1 Teams Boycott FIA Meeting
Motorsport(Akron/Tire Review) Associated Press has reported that nine Formula One teams and five F1 car manufacturers will boycott a meeting this week with the FIA in another move interpreted as increasing their bid for a new grand prix series.
FIA’s meeting on 15 April was reportedly called to discuss 2008 race season regulations. The only race team and constructor committed to attending the meeting is Ferrari, which signed a multi-year deal to remain in F1.
Aircept System Works In Practice
Product NewsBefore launching its Greatec single drive tyres, incorporating the Aircept safety system, on to the market, Bridgestone subjected it to prolonged and extensive testing.
For the record, the Aircept system consists of an inner tube which, in the case of a tyre blow-out, expands to support the tyre at around half its normal pressure and enables the driver to continue his journey.
Aston Martin DB9 to Run on Potenzas
Product NewsFollowing the release of the Aston Martin DB9, Bridgestone has announced that the new car will be fitted with Bridgestone Potenza RE050 tyres as original equipment. Like other tyres in the Potenza family the RE050 utilises a racing car nose-shaped tread pattern, which Bridgestone claims reduces the possibility hydroplaning. With an outer pattern featuring large blocks, the RE050 is also designed to improve handling and road holding, while its larger contact area has been manufactured to improve cornering performance.
Powered by a 450 bhp six-litre V12 engine, the DB9 will replace the DB7, Aston Martin most successful car. Bridgestone Potenza RE050 tyres are fitted to a range of supercars including the Ferrari Enzo and F430, Porsche 911, Mercedes SL55 AMG. The Aston Martin DB9 will run on 235/40 ZR19 (front) and 275/35 ZR19 (rear) RE050s.
A Four-Door Coupe? The New Mercedes CLS-Class
Product NewsAt the beginning of October Mercedes’ new CLS-Class range will make its market debut. From Mercedes’ point-of-view the new cars represent the bridge between “the elegance and dynamics of a Coupé and the practicality of a saloon.”
Paris Motor Show Set to be Biggest Yet
Product NewsOrganisers of the 2004 Mondial de l’automobile, or Paris Motor Show, are expecting this year’s exhibition to be the biggest yet.
Peugeot 907 – An Answer to Mercedes SLR
Product NewsPeugeot has published photos of a two-seater prototype Peugeot 907. The super coupé, which the French car maker has been shown on the Paris Auto Salon; Mondial de l’Automobile 2004 stands on 18 inch Michelin tyres, size 275/40 (front) and 345/35 (rear).
Mercedes Concludes Union Negotiations
Product NewsDaimlerChrysler’s Mercedes unit has concluded negotiations with unions. The agreement between the two sides allows Mercedes to realise cost savings of 500 million euros that will take effect in 2006 and 2007, the company says.
Motor Transport Awards
Product NewsThe Motor Transport Fleet Truck of the Year Award went to Daf’s CF85, for the third time in four years. The Motor Transport Award judges, a mix of fleet engineers and managing directors, praised the truck for its “overall package,” and described the victor as “a clear class-leading truck that continues to evolve in the tough retail market.” The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter achieved Fleet Van of the Year for the second year running and Grocontinental was Haulier of the Year.
Renschler, Not Bernhard, To Succeed Hubbert
Product NewsUntil recently, Chrysler’s Wolfgang Bernhard was the favourite to succeed Jürgen Hubbert on the executive committee of the Mercedes Car Group. However, Bernhard has been critical of DaimlerChrysler boss Jürgen Schrempp’s Asian strategy and he is expected to leave the company shortly. Hubbert’s likely successor now is Andreas Renschler (45), currently responsible for the Smart brand.
Dunlop’s Super Sport Race in North America
Product NewsDunlop North America announced the SP Super Sport Race; a Z-rated radial designed for super car owners and autocross enthusiasts who want a non-competition, street-legal tyre that nevertheless has race-like levels of grip. The Super Sport Race is available in eight Z-rated sizes, with aspect ratios from 40 series down to 30 series and for 17″ and 18″ wheels. Target cars include Audi TT, A4 and A6, Porsche 996 and 986, BMW 3 series, 5-series, M3 and Z3, Honda S2000, VW Golf GTi and the Mercedes SLK, CLK, C-class and E-class.
Green Marangoni tyres on Armani-designed Mercedes
Product NewsThe Mercedes-Benz CLK cabriolet is the first vehicle to come from the design partnership between the vehicle manufacturer and designer Giorgio Armani. The car will be fitted with Marangoni Zeta Linea tyres but, instead of the usual black, these tyres will be green in colour to complement the car’s sand-coloured matt paintwork.
