The all-new Toyota Yaris, or Vitz as it is known in Japan, will come equipped with Yokohama tyres in Japan, Australia and New Zealand. Yokohama Rubber shares that three of its tyres, the Yokohama db E70 in size 195/50R16 84V, BluEarth E70 in size 175/70R14 84S and S73 in size 165/70R14 81S, have been approved for the car, which was launched on 12 January.
The Aston Martin Valkyrie hypercar will roll on Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres in 265/35ZR20 front and 325/30ZR21 rear sizes. Michelin said the tyre “blurs the line between motorsport and road tyres”, as the latest generation of road-legal track tyres designed for UHP cars that are used on road and track. The Valkyrie’s high-power, high-downforce, low-weight philosophy represents Aston Martin’s attempt to redefine the limits of road car performance, and will put “unprecedented demands on its tyres”.
A new agreement between Continental AG and Caterpillar Inc. will see the tyre maker equip the 770 to 775 model series of Cat off-highway trucks with Continental RDT-Master tyres in sizes 18.00R33, 21.00R33 and 24.00R35. The agreement also covers a collaboration between the two companies for the design of new tyres for two other Cat products – medium wheel loaders and articulated dump trucks.
The Pirelli brand now has more than 650 original equipment homologations for winter tyres under its belt. In Europe alone, Pirelli Tyre claims that around a quarter of all premium and prestige segment car models are fitted with its winter tyres.
Goodyear reports that its Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 has been approved as an original equipment fitment for the Porsche Panamera. The accreditation covers a size 265/45ZR19 (105Y) XL front axle tyre and a 295/40ZR19 (108Y) XL fitment on the rear. The tyres will carry the ‘N0’ designation on the sidewall to denote their approval by Porsche as original equipment tyres.
Volkswagen is fitting the Falken Ziex ZE914A Ecorun tyres in size 215/65R17 99V as the original equipment tyre for its new Tiguan model, as of 1 January 2017. The compact SUV’s newest iteration is designed to offer comfort and convenience alongside class-leading driving dynamics, and the Sumitomo brand says its Ziex ZE914A Ecorun is “the perfect fit”. The tyre was developed to reduce fuel consumption and deliver good handling and braking even in wet road conditions.
The 2018 Lexus LS saloon is currently on display at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, and Bridgestone Corporation shares that its Bridgestone Turanza T005 run-flat tyre will serve as a standard fitment for cars equipped with 20-inch rims. The fifth generation of Lexus’ flagship line will receive the Turanza T005 in sizes 245/45RF20 99Y and 275/40RF20 102Y.
Michelin will supply custom developed versions of its Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyre as the sole track-focused original equipment fitment on the new Mercedes-AMG GT R. The road-legal asymmetric tyres have a single rubber compound developed in motorsport series such as the World Endurance Championship. It is designed to provide balanced handling, grip and endurance on track, the performance characteristics specified by AMG’s engineers. Different versions of the Pilot Sport Cup 2 have featured as OE on the BMW M4 GTS and the Ford Focus RS in 2016.
When the Lexus LC500 coupé and its hybrid twin the LC500h reach consumers next year, they will be fitted two Bridgestone tyre models as standard. Bridgestone Corporation reports it has designed Potenza S001L RFT and Turanza T005 RFT run-flat tyres exclusively for the Lexus coupés.
Up to almost 1,200 original equipment Pirelli tyres are being recalled in the USA due to concerns that cracks may develop in the tyres’ lower sidewall area. The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that the P Zero All Season tyres in question are size 275/40R19 101W fitments manufactured between 29 February and 29 October 2016 and fitted as original equipment on Maserati cars.
Audi has approved Hankook tyres as an original equipment option on its Q7 range, including the recently-launched Audi SQ7 TDI. Together with other Q7 models, the SQ7 TDI will be available with the Hankook Ventus S1 evo² SUV in size 285/35 R 22 106 Y XL, a tyre that contains Hankook Tire’s new ‘sound absorber’-technology.
The informative Original Equipment Suppliers Aftermarket Association (OESAA) stand at this year’s Mechanex Sandown show proved a real talking point amongst attendees, providing an opportunity to examine ‘like for like’ parts for themselves. The busy stand, staffed by representatives from a wide range of OESAA member companies, featured comparable components from OE and non-OE suppliers to highlight the dramatic differences in quality that can exist between the two, as well as the detrimental impact that fitting sub-standard parts can potentially have on a garage’s reputation.
Pirelli reports that the K-spec version of its Scorpion trail II has been optimised for several models of KTM motorcycle. The tyre is now available for models of the KTM 1190 Adventure built from 2013 onwards and 2015 and 2016 models of the KTM 1290 Super. The TL Scorpion Trail II (K) is available in size the front wheel size 120/70 ZR 19 M/C 60W and rear 170/60 ZR 17 M/C 72W size.
A new chapter in STARCO’s history began on 1 July 2016 when German wholesaler Bohnenkamp took over a number of the Danish firm’s aftermarket operations, including the STARCO Eastern Group and aftermarket businesses in Scandinavia, Germany and, with one or two exceptions, the Benelux countries. The businesses were divested as part of an increased focus on the original equipment sector under the company’s 2020 strategy, and STARCO has now announced the next step in its path to becoming a pure OE player. In the months to 1 April 2017, STARCO will phase out its entire traditional aftermarket activities.
The model change the YZF-R6 will undergo next year is the first revision for the popular Yamaha bike in almost a decade. The 2017 model features new low-drag bodywork, advanced electronics and next level aerodynamics, and Bridgestone reports that its Battlax Hypersport S21 has been selected as an original equipment tyre. The YZF-R6 will wear the Battlax Hypersport S21 in size 120/70ZR17 M/C (58W) on the front and 180/55ZR17 M/C (73W) at the rear.
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