Continental is introducing a 385/65R22.5 version of its Generation 2+ steer axle tyre, making the HSL 2+ front axle tyre now available in 11 different sizes. The range includes four XL versions of the long distance tyre for front axle loads of up to eight tonnes. Conti says this is in recognition of the increasing load on the front axle for vehicles with heavier drive trains to meet the Euro 6 emissions standard.
There appears to be a collapse in the number of British towns supporting World Car Free Day on 22 September – the annual event that encourages motorists in over 1,000 towns around the globe to leave their cars at home in favour of bicycles, trains and buses. The lack of support can be blamed on slashed budgets for local government and dwindling interest in the environment, according to the Environmental Transport Association (ETA); the organisation that first coordinated the event in Britain.
Techking Tires reports the launch of a new mixed service pattern it developed based on input from partners in Australia and Latin America. The TKAM C+, 11R22.5 has been designed for mix road service and uses what Techking calls its ‘Noise Buffer’ design which, as the name suggests, is said to reduce noise. It also features a ‘Stone Shy’ design to prevent stone retention, the tyre maker adds.
At Hannover Messe 2012, the exhibition billed as the world’s most important technology event, a Leipzig, Germany-based research group unveiled what it calls an “adaptive tyre”. According to the Leipzig University of Applied Sciences (HTWK Leipzig) research group, the tyre adapts itself to weather and road conditions. Regardless of whether a vehicle is being driven on the motorway or gravel roads, in sunshine, snow or rain, the adaptive tyre reportedly recognises the conditions and adapts its tread grooves automatically.
Exhaust manufacturer Milltek Sport has released a new turbo back exhaust system for all models of the 1.4 TSi Skoda Fabia vRS. Manufactured in the UK, the system is hand-finished from aerospace grade, non-magnetic T304 stainless steel, making it lighter than the factory system.
Motorists have lifted the lid on some of the more extraordinary dangers facing them on the UK’s roads last year including a kamikaze duck, an "evil pheasant" and…Susan Boyle.
Customer calls to Autoglass reveal that some drivers were their own worst enemies with one actually shattering his windscreen from the inside….after accidentally firing his shotgun.
The mishaps were among a series of wacky explanations given to the leading automotive services company from drivers with damaged vehicle glass last year.
Goodyear’s Eagle F1 SupercarG:2 has been selected by General Motors as an original equipment fitment for the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. Goodyear said the tyres – size 285/35ZR20 for the front and 305/35ZR20 for the rear – have been optimised specifically for the 6.2 litre, 580hp V8 to “yield outstanding handling while maintaining excellent street tyre performance for wet handling, tread wear, low noise and rolling resistance.”
Winters in Scandinavia and Russia can be extreme and drivers in these markets require tyres specifically designed for the conditions encountered there. One such product is the latest winter tyre from Pirelli, the Winter Icecontrol. This non-studded passenger car tyre will be released in mid-2011 and Pirelli says it distinguishes in a number of areas, including braking and handling on ice and in mud, traction and braking in the snow, rolling resistance levels and reduced noise levels.
Vredestein has announced the upcoming release of the Hi-Trac 2. The second-generation tyre is an evolution of its predecessor, however the Dutch tyre maker claims “the number of improvements we have now made for the Hi-Trac is so significant that Vredestein has decided to add the number ‘2’ to its product name.” Named changes are an adapted construction and a new tread compound that is said to reduce rolling resistance and noise production. The sidewall has also been given a “more modern and streamlined design,” Vredestein adds.
Toyo Tire USA has announced that its Proxes A20 tyre will be fitted as original equipment on Nissan’s new 2011 Murano CrossCabriolet, which is available for sale this week. The Proxes A20 is an all-season tyre designed to reduce noise, while maintaining ride comfort in wet and dry. It also boasts reduced rolling resistance, according to the manufacturer.
Toyo Tire USA has introduced the Toyo Proxes 1, a new max performance UHP tyre, reports Tire Review. Toyo said the new tyre is its “most technologically advanced" and was heralded as the company’s new flagship line.
A new brand of passenger car tyres is set to be introduced to the market with an initial offering of two products in 35 sizes. Luccini Tyres are to be produced by a Far-Eastern manufacturer using European technology with 50 years experience in tyre production and design. Having spent the last year researching and developing, the team behind the brand is ready to launch the Buono Sport – a non-directional tread design for wet performance and noise reduction – and the Buono Drive – an asymmetric pattern designed for draining efficiency, ride comfort and durability.
In May Sheffield-based Pneumatic Components Ltd (PCL) launched what it calls the “The Daddy” of all half inch wrenches from its Prestige range of air tools. According to the company, the much-anticipated arrival is made to impress – PCL’s redesign of the popular APP203 provides a whopping 929Nm of torque, the highest power half-inch impact wrench in PCL’s extensive range.
A number of Continental branded agricultural tyres produced by CGS Tyres have been approved for fitment on several high horsepower John Deere tractors. The Continental tyres will be fitted as original equipment on the 6030/6030 Premium, 7030/7030 Premium, 8R and 9030 series John Deere tractors. CGS comments that its Continental brand agricultural tyres are now available on all John Deere tractors – from 5E series up to the 9030 series.
Nankang has developed a new environmental tyre, the Eco-1, and reports it takes further the fuel-saving performance of the company’s Eco tyre range. The Eco-1 is, says the Taiwanese manufacturer, designed with a silica ‘eco-compound’ material that reduces rolling resistance 14 per cent in comparison to a conventional tyre. Despite this, Nankang states that this focus on fuel efficiency has not sacrificed or compromised the tyre’s wet grip.
If you would like the latest news from the Chinese tyre industry in Chinese, visit our partner site TyrepressChina.com. Or click below to continue on Tyrepress.
