Promoted as the “first step in Alfa Romeo’s electric journey”, Tonale is the Italian brand’s take on “reinventing the SUV”. This new addition to the Alfa Romeo line-up is initially available as a petrol mild hybrid, with a plug-in hybrid arriving at a later date.
As part of an ongoing partnership with Škoda, Bridgestone has developed tyres featuring its Enliten technology for the all-electric Škoda Enyaq iV. Bridgestone is supplying Turanza Eco tyres for the SUV in either size 235/55 R19 101T; 235/50 R20 100T (front axle or all-round) and 255/45 R20 101T (rear); or for cars delivered with 21-inch rims, 235/45 R21 101T XL (front or all-round) and 255/40 R21 102T XL (rear). The tyre maker also offers Škoda an 18-inch tyre that is not fitted to UK-spec models.
Zhongce Rubber (ZC Rubber) has appointed Martin Winter technical director tire development EMEA & Americas. Winter took up the position on 1 August 2022. He brings with him more than 20 years’ experience of working in original equipment tyre development with Continental, Goodyear, Hankook, and most recently Sentury Tire, where he was global technical director OE. ZC Rubber opened its Europe Technical Center (ETC) in Hannover Germany in 2021. It will use the ETC to support the global development of its original equipment business and to work with key OE accounts in the region. In his new role, Winter will report to Martin Wells, vice president ZC Technical Center & global OE.
BMW has selected Nexen as an original equipment fitment for its second-generation 2 Series Active Tourer. The MPV will be available with Nexen N’Fera Sport tyres in size 205/65 R16, a dimension that lower spec models wear in some markets.
Renault has selected a range of Goodyear tyres as original equipment fitments on the new Mégane E-Tech Electric. Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 is the summer fitment in size 195/60R18, while Renault has opted to equip the larger 215/45R20 specification with EfficientGrip Performance tyres. Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen-3 is also available as an all-season option in both dimensions.
Isuzu has approved the General Grabber AT3 as the original equipment tyre for top models of its latest generation Isuzu D-MAX. The 4×4 tyre is thus exclusive original equipment for the Isuzu D-MAX LSE Extended Cab and Double Cab models on 18-inch tyres, as well as for top-of-the-line versions of the D-MAX V Cross Double Cab.
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has opened the order books for prospective ID. Buzz owners in the UK, and this sheds further light on the tyres the all-electric campervan will wear. UK customers can choose from three trim levels: Life, Style and 1st Edition. Continental and Hankook are supplying original equipment tyres for these UK market models.
Linglong Tire has provided further details of its original equipment partnership with MAN Truck & Bus, which it first announced at The Tire Cologne in May. The world’s 12th largest tyre maker will equip the MAN TGL with the Linglong KLS200 steer axle tyres and KLD200 drive axle tyres in sizes 245/70 R17.5 136/134M and 265/70 R17.5 140/138M.
Hankook Tire has expanded the portfolio of original equipment products it supplies to electric vehicles with tyres for two new Audi models, the Q4 e-tron and Q4 Sportback e-tron. These compact SUVs will leave the factory on Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 ev tyres. Depending on model and equipment level, Audi will fit the Hankook tyre in 19- to 21-inch dimensions.
China’s ZC Rubber, manufacturer of the Westlake, Goodride, Chaoyang, Arisun and Trazano tyre brands, has shared news of its recent activities in the original equipment tyre supply business, a sector where it has been present for more than a decade. In recent months the company added Volkswagen and Ford/Lincoln to its OEM portfolio, joining firms such as Jaguar Land Rover, Volvo, Changan Auto, Great Wall Motor and Geely.
When Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles began manufacturing the ID. Buzz at its Hannover plant in Germany last month, it described the production start as a “milestone in the brand’s electrification.” VW intends to build up to 130,000 units a year, and Continental has already ‘outed’ itself as original equipment tyre supplier. But despite the German manufacturer’s long history of equipping VW campervans, the EcoContact 6 Q is presumably not the only tyre being supplied to VW production lines for the ID. Buzz.
Pirelli’s P Zero and Scorpion Zero All Season tyres have been approved for factory fitment on the new Aston Martin DBX707, the most powerful luxury SUV in the world. Pirelli, which has supplied tyres to many previous Aston models, including the DBX, DBS, and Vantage models, specially developed new versions of the tyre to enhance the new model’s blend of performance, power, and comfort. The tyre manufacturer’s commercial strategy includes a particular emphasis on this high-value tyre segment, with the latest fitment further proof of its top of the range tyres’ ability to serve this market segment.
The Volkswagen campervan is going electric, and just like its split-screen ancestor the T1 and many models in between, the new ID. Buzz will roll off the production line on Continental tyres. Depending on model and market, VW will fit Continental EcoContact 6 Q tyres in sizes 235/55 R19 105T XL, 255/50 R19 107T XL, 235/50 R20 104T XL or 265/45 R20 108T XL.
New for 2022, the Mercedes-Benz EQB is a fully electric compact SUV that weighs in at 2.1 tonnes and delivers up to 292hp through its 66.5 kWh motor, power that will get it from 0 to 62mph in as little as 6 seconds. Versions of the EQB delivered with 19-inch rims as standard will roll from the factory on Continental tyres. Continental is supplying its EcoContact 6 to Mercedes-Benz in size 235/50 R19 103T XL.
Kia has selected Continental tyres as original equipment for its new Niro. In European, Middle East and African markets, it will deliver the fully-electric version of its SUV with Continental EcoContact 6 Q tyres in size 215/55 R17 94V. Plug-in hybrid models of the Niro will roll on the PremiumContact 6, which Kia will fit in size 225/45 R18 95V XL FR.
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