Accuride Announces Second Temporary Waiver Agreement with Lenders
On August 14 Accuride Corporation announced its entry into a Second Temporary Waiver Agreement with its lenders, effectively extending its original July 1 agreement until September 7.
Posts
Pirelli P Zero OE on New Lotus Evora
Product NewsLotus Cars Limited has selected Pirelli as the principal supplier of tyres for the new Lotus Evora, with the company’s P Zero tyre the product of choice. The homologated size on the Evora is the 225/40ZR18 Y XL on the front and 255/35ZR19 Y XL on the rear. The Evora is the first all new Lotus to be released since the iconic Elise roadster in 1995.
Mathew Becker, executive engineer of vehicle dynamics for Lotus believes that the Pirelli P Zero enhances the dynamic performance of the Evora: “The Lotus Evora has been developed to deliver class-leading steering and handling performance whilst maintaining excellent ride quality. The exceptional abilities of Pirelli’s P Zeros enhances these vital elements and we have been impressed with the excellent steering linearity and consistent grip levels that this particular tyre provides in all conditions.”
Continental Stock Falls 2.4%
Product NewsContinental AG share fell 2.4 per cent today after a Reuters report suggested Conti’s banks oppose a the reverse takeover plan of current owner Schaeffler discussed in the press. According to the news, the biggest problem for the banks is the “significant increase in debt and therefore higher risks” for lending banks. Meanwhile Financial Times Deutschland reported that Continental’s banks are planning to set up a steering committee to represent their interests.
BFGoodrich Launches g-Grip
Product NewsThe new g-Grip, designed for fitment on hatchbacks, saloons and MPVs, is the latest addition to the BFGoodrich passenger car range. The new tyre, says the manufacturer, offers excellent safety performance on wet and dry roads due to its specially developed directional tread pattern, along with superb levels of vehicle control and precise handling characteristics.
BFGoodrich explains that, on normal wet roads, the tyre’s ‘vortex’ tread pattern clears water quickly to let the tread rubber grip the road surface. In deeper standing water, the wide grooves running around the circumference of the tyre maximise water dispersal to reduce the risk of aquaplaning.
New Nitto NT05
Product NewsNitto Tire USA is introducing a summer uhp tyre (W rated) which the company describes as “our most aggressive non-competition street tyre.” Called the NT05, it takes its name from the fusion of two existing tyres; the NT01, Nitto’s DOT-approved R-compound and the NT555, Nitto’s popular uhp tyre. The name signifies that the new tyre is based on the NT01’s race technology, but designed specifically for maximum street performance.
The new tyre was developed through a mixture of extensive computer modelling and on-track testing to identify the optimal tread design and compound. Nitto’s top priority was to optimise dry performance; the large continuous centre rib and big outer shoulder blocks provide optimum tread contact with the road and the reinforced tread blocks give excellent rigidity and stability.
Derby Motorist Stung by Rubber Ripper
Product NewsA driver in normally-quiet midlands town Derby became the victim of an unprecedented auto-crime when she returned to her car to find old, bald tyres where her relatively fresh rubber had previously been.
Michelle Ulyatt – an employee of the Babington Business College – left her car outside the Labour social club on Charnwood Street at 12:45, returning at 17:15. As she drove away, it became apparent that things were not as she’d left them: “It was only when I was driving that I realised something was wrong, as I had problems with my steering,” said the stunned Ulyatt. “Because I had the car in the garage a few weeks ago to have the steering arm corrected, I thought it was going on the blink again. But my husband then said that my front tyres were bald and that’s when I realised what had caused the problems… The tyres were brand new in February and, at first, I did wonder if they were faulty but then I realised they were another make.”
Police investigating the crime reassured understandably fearful citizens that “there is not a spate of crimes of this nature.” However T&A predicts it can only be a matter of time before the Rubber Ripper graduates from the unfortunate Ulyatt’s L-Reg Ford Escort to greater wheel-changing challenges.
Pirelli P4 Four Season Gets Top Marks
Product NewsPirelli’s P4 Four Season tyre received the top rating in Tire Rack’s online consumer survey of standard touring all-season tyres.
Tire Rack customers were asked their opinions of tyres across 12 categories, including hydroplaning resistance, wet traction, cornering stability, dry traction, noise/comfort, steering response and other parameters such as light or heavy snow traction, ice traction and whether or not the customer would consider purchasing the tyres again.
Pirelli said its P4 Four Season rated highest in 10 of the 12 categories. Some 28 tyre models were considered in the opinion survey. (Tire Review/Akron)
Conti Extends Sizes on HSC1/HDC1 Construction Tyre
Product NewsContinental has released a bevy of new sizes on its range of next-generation construction tyres for both on and off-road applications. The HSC1 pattern – with its optimised tread design that minimises stone strapping – is now available as a steer or a drive tyre (HDC1) in 295/80R22.5, a key size in UK and Ireland.
The tyre also boasts a reinforced belt construction and a deep tread pattern – which provides better protection from damage, high mileage performance on-road and precise steering and traction on all other surfaces. The HDC1 – the HSC1’s cousin – provides better tread depth than its predecessor, in addition to all the benefits of its steer counterpart.
Conti’s tyres are sold and distributed through ContiNetwork Partners, a group that represents the largest independent tyre dealer network in the UK and Ireland.
Pirelli Adds Low Profile FH85 Amaranto Sizes
Product NewsPirelli has expanded its range of sizes available on the FH85 Amaranto premium truck tyre range. The tyre is now available in 385/55R22.5 for trucks used on long distances with heavy loads on low severity roads. The new ultra-low profile tyre is designed for the steering axles and the company is confident that it makes for an increased load capacity and volume.
The 385/55 R 22.5 FH85 Amaranto meets the needs of the truck tyre market for ON applications, where the demand for this type of product is growing rapidly and shows great potential to continue to do so. This size has a higher load capacity than other products with a similar diameter – such as 315/70 and 315/60 R22.5 – thanks to the larger volume of air it contains.
Cooper Strikes Deal with Lightning GT
Product NewsCooper Tire’s ultra-high performance Cooper Zeon 2XS is to be unveiled as OE on the new electric sportscar, the Lightning GT, at the British International Motor Show, currently taking place at Excel in London until 3 August.
Every Lightning GT built will be fitted with the Zeon 2XS as standard on its 20 inch rim size. The tyre’s cornering ability and steering response won it the right to be OE-fitted on the 700bhp, 130mph sportscar. In addition to the good looks expected of the modern sportscar, the Lightning GT also has the ultimate ‘green’ rating, as it has no CO2 rating and virtually no polluting emissions thanks to its innovative battery power and electric motor. The 245/45R20 Cooper Zeon 2XS rubber offers superior traction and handling characteristics that will befit the Lightning GT’s ability to achieve 0-60mph in four seconds.
Hankook Introduces AW01 All Position Winter Tyre
Product NewsHankook has applied the company’s SCCT (Stiffness Control Contour Theory) design technology to its latest range of cold weather commercial vehicle tyres. The new line-up, named the AW01, is a studless all position product that Hankook reports offers excellent traction and powerful grip capabilities on snowy and icy roads.
Featuring a wide tread and block shaped tread elements intended to enhance traction, Hankook adds the AW01 uses its optimised design to ensure more stable driving under snowy road conditions, and lateral wavy sides provide grip performance throughout the life of the tyre. The AW01 also features a stepped shoulder rib, designed to deliver confident steering performance in winter.
Nero Adds Style
Product NewsNew to its tuning range, Italian auto accessory company MOMO has introduced the Nero collection; a brooding new line-up of steering wheel, gearshift knob, pedal set and harness pad set, inspired by the Italian definition of the collection’s name…’black’.
Already well renowned for its range of steering wheels, MOMO’s 350mm Nero model is finished in leather and features black suede grip inserts, satin silver detail rings, a moulded black satin centre pad and a sculpted base section.
Transense CEO and Chairman Step Down
Career TracksJim Perry and Peter Woods, Transense Technologies’ chief executive and chairman, are reportedly due to step down following shareholder approval for the TPMS development company’s latest round of fundraising. The news follows Transense’s failed reverse takeover of steering system producer Bishop Technology, which was blocked by private shareholders. Mr Perry told Investors Chronicle: “Under the deal we were doing with Bishop, I would become deputy chairman. I still intend to do that.” The management changes are expected to take place imminently.
Rancho Launches New SUV Suspension
Product News(Akron/Tire Review) Rancho has introduced a new suspension system for 2004-07 Nissan Armada and Infiniti QX56 SUVs, which the company said will “deliver exceptional on- and off-road performance and ride quality.”
“We’ve engineered a system that offers the SUV owners a no-compromises approach to performance suspension for their Armada or Infiniti,” said Joe Pase, Rancho’s general manager. “Plus, we’re utilizing an engineering design that is ideal for one of our shock packages like the new RS9000XL series rather than spacers.”
The new system for the Armada and Infiniti that includes a two-piece, high-clearance front cross-member and extended-length steering knuckles. Compatible with either the auto-leveling and non-auto-leveling editions of the Armada and Infiniti, Rancho utilizes a bolt-on rugged sub-assembly in the rear suspension.
Rancho said the new system is compatible with any of Rancho’s shock absorbers, and is delivered complete with detailed and illustrated installation instructions. No drivetrain or exhaust modifications are required. The system is fully compatible with stock tyre/wheel packages, Rancho said.
Hankook Launches New HP Line
Product News(Akron/Tire Review) Hankook Tire America Corp. has launched the Ventus R-S2 Z212, a new performance line it said was based on its Ventus RSS Z211 race tire.
Hankook said the new Ventus R-S2 Z212 offers improved road contact, dry traction and “exceptional” water dispersion.
The new line comes with V-, W- and Y-rated sizes ranging from 30 to 60 aspect ratios.
The Z212 also features a 3 per cent wider tread than previous models for traction and handling, wide shoulder blocks for steering control, wide center rib for steering response, and two-ply construction.
