Kayaba has revamped its website, giving it a fresh, user-friendly look. It is divided into two sections – one for mechanics and one for distributors – and the latter section features an online version of Kayaba’s 2005 shock absorber catalogue, plus company information, press releases and product information.
The 2005 Audi A4 2.0T Quattro has a new sport suspension, electric power steering and Dunlop ultra-performance tyres – the latter of which have been praised by Car and Driver magazine in its recent tests. The magazine drove the optional sport package and reviewed the car’s tyres, 235/45ZR17 Dunlop SP Sport Maxx, on two fronts; comfort level and steering response.
Peugeot boss, Jean-Pierre Nicolas has predicted that they will have a ‘real chance’ to win in Argentina next weekend – and has announced that the team will introduce a new tyre at the Rally Finland in August.
Fernando Alonso snatched victory from McLaren’s Kimi Raikonnen on the last lap of the European Grand Prix. The Renault driver was able to extend his championship lead to 32 points after the Finnish driver crashed out due to the suspension failure caused by the flatspotting of his front right tyre.
Williams’ Nick Heidfeld and Ferrari’s Rubens Barichello joined Alonso on the podium, followed by the Red Bull of David Coulthard, the Ferrari of Michael Schumacher, Renault’s Giancarlo Fisichella and McLaren’s Juan Pablo Montoya. Jarno Trulli filled the last point scoring postion.
Sebastien Loeb drove his Michelin clad Citroen to victory yesterday in Rally New Zealand.
At the finish the 31-year-old reigning world champion had a 49.8 seconds margin over Finn Marcus Gronholm in a Peugeot with last year’s winner, Subaru’s Petter Solberg, a further 18.9 seconds back in third place.
The Norwegian Solberg still leads the drivers’ championship after four rounds by one point from Loeb with Peugeot’s Markko Martin two points further back.
The heat of New Zealand’s summer put further pressure on Michelin and Citroen to
“At Citroen we have worked over the year on this type of gravel. We changed a bit of everything since last year, said Loeb.”
“We changed the suspension, the engine and we also have some new version of the tyre. This means the car is really feeling perfect and it’s looking good for the future.”
Overfinch, the company that brought us the performance Range Rover 30 years ago, has now released a 22 inch alloy, which it simple calls “Tiger.” The alloy wheel, is claimed to be “the largest made in the UK to date,” according to the companies involved. The 22 x 9 inch product has a 12 spoke design, uses a stainless steel rim and features the correct steering offset for the Range Rover. As a result, Overfinch says that this means there is no increase in turning circle or fouling on suspension or bodywork.
The new wheel was engineered specifically for third generation Range Rovers and employs OE ‘shoulder’ nuts as “the only safe method of anchoring wheels to a 2700 kilogram vehicle.” The design has been tested in Europe by the respected TUV centre and was produced and developed in conjunction with Rimstock plc, a company that supplies Aston Martin, MG Rover, Lotus, Morgan, VAG and Mitsubishi.
Tenneco Automotive is embarking on a new safety campaign called ‘Testing Days on Tour.’ The manufacturer is putting a fleet of testing vans on the road to travel across Europe, testing motorists shock absorbers, springs, exhaust systems and catalytic converters checked, free of charge at participating garages.
The Transport & General Workers Union (T&G) has agreed hold off on planned industrial action for seven days. Union members at Michelin’s Stoke-on-Trent plant had agreed to work to rule, but the decision was suspended following a “positive” meeting with management. If no agreement on the pay offer can be reached, the industrial action will go ahead on 11 March, the Birmingham Post reported. A planned demonstration will also be postponed, the newspaper added.
Pirelli will continue its UK and Ireland rally involvement, the company announced at January’s Autosport/Aftermarket Show. The manufacturer will sponsor the Kwik-fit Pirelli British Rally Championship and the Pirelli Irish Tarmac Championship, the latter for the second consecutive year. More than 3000 people visited the Pirelli stand during the course of the show. The company has since describe its participation as “a great success,” adding that its Ford Focus WRC simulator was one of the main attractions.
Continental AG is expanding its automobile manufacturer and supplier engineering services. “For 2005 we are aiming to achieve corporate sales volumes in the double-digit million range,” said Continental executive board member, Dr Karl-Thomas Neumann. “In the area of vehicle dynamics and suspension control in particular we are filling a niche that to date has hardly been tackled by engineering service providers, as only very few companies have the required broad technical knowledge of automotive brakes, chassis, electronics and tyres,” explained Dr Neumann.
Yokohama is claiming that the days of stability control systems could be numbered, due to a new programme developed by the company. Yokohama explains that the system uses a sensor fitted to the wheel rim meaning that the device takes its measurement directly from the tyre. The thinking behind the product is that it will only function when a driver really needs it, for example when a tyre loses grip. This contrasts with other designs, which have been criticised for ‘nannying’ drivers.
In addition to the recently publicised Tweel and Airless Wheel puncture-proof products, Michelin has unveiled a third concept aimed at pioneering the development of the tyre. As a company Michelin spends around 4.5 per cent of its turnover on research and development, the Active Wheel is just one result of this. Aimed at electric and fuel-cell cars, the Active Wheel is an integrated module, which is made up of a conventional tyre, active electric suspension, a disc brake and an electric motor, which is designed to provide traction and much of the braking power.
According to the manufacturer, the Active Wheel is the result of a total rethink of the movement transmission process. In addition to rolling and driving forward, as any wheel does, the new concept also acts as a suspension unit. The result is that the need for a gearbox, clutch, shock absorbers and transmission shaft is removed, saving considerable amounts of weight.
Michelin is shying away from whole-heartedly backing any one of its products but instead appears to be playing the opening gambit of a long-term strategy. It is conceivable that in a decade or two any one of these innovations will be accepted as standard.
Subaru has launched a new version of one of its most popular cars – the Legacy. In an attempt to modify its image of being a “sensible family saloon,” the new Legacy range now includes a high-performance version. The Legacy 3.0R spec.B features a new gearbox, suspension system and Bridgestone Potenza tyres – all inspired by the well-known Impreza.
The 3.0R spec.B has a revised Impreza STi 6-speed gearbox, which helps the three litre engine to produce 241bhp. And in keeping with the sporty feel, the new saloon will fit Bridgestone Potenza RE050A tyres as original equipment.
The Bridgestone Potenza RE050A uses an asymmetrical tread pattern with large blocks on the outer side in order to provide superior lateral rigidity and to increase control in high-speed turning. The company claims that the high-angled grooves on the inner side improve water dispersion and assist in wet-weather driving.
Andy Lane, consumer marketing manager at Bridgestone UK, said: “The Subaru Legacy 3.0R spec.B is a high-performance car that requires high-performance tyres. And with excellent levels of grip in both wet and dry conditions, the Bridgestone Potenza RE050A tyres compliment the Legacy perfectly.”
The Subaru Legacy 3.0R spec.B fits Bridgestone Potenza RE050A tyres in size 215/45 R18.
Yesterday the Swiss Sauber team tested tyres from its new supplier, Michelin. Driver, Felipe Massa used last season’s C23 and obviously succeeded in finding a good balance between the tyres and wheel suspension, at the first attempt. Bridgestone tyres had previously been fitted to the model.
Analysts have suggested Superior is taking a “last man standing approach” while the company reports relatively weak third quarter results.
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