Continental has introduced the ContiClassicAttack; a new radial tyre that has been designed to revitalise the handling, stability, grip and safety performance of classic motorcycles. It is the only radial tyre in this category, says Continental and enables riders to eliminate many of the performance compromises of older bias-ply (aka cross-ply or diagonal) tyre designs.
Continental has launched a new winter tyre for coaches, the Scandinavia HSW 2 Coach, saying that an increasing number of transport companies are now using its latest seasonal heavy commercial vehicle products. In several European countries, the use of winter tyres on trucks is a legal requirement with, in some cases, a minimum tread depth requirement of 6mm.
Avon Tyres has added two brand-new tyre lines – the Ranger HTT and the Ranger ATT – to its extensive off-road portfolio. Avon says that the Ranger high-performance 4×4 series boasts superb handling characteristics and excellent stability at high speeds, both on-road and off-road, delivering comfort and confidence in equal measure.
Pirelli shares news of the full marks its Scorpion Winter received for certain tests conducted by TÜV SÜD Automotive. The Italian manufacturer’s tyre was pitted against four major rivals, and is said to have scored 100 per cent in the test’s snow handling, traction and braking categories.
On 18 October, engineering company Sandvik Holdings is co-ordinating a safety day with its driver training supplier Road Skills, which aims to teach advanced driving techniques and raise awareness of the importance of correct vehicle maintenance. During the course of the day, Michelin will host a safety presentation covering the importance of correct tyre pressures and tread depths, the impact tyres have on handling, and the benefits of cold weather tyres. Amongst other things, qualified instructors will teach core staff and senior management from Sandvik Holdings’ UK operation how to improve handling, emergency reactions, manoeuvring and off-road skills.
Pirelli’s original equipment supply to BMW already involves fitments for the 1 Series, 3 Series, 3 Series GT, 5 Series, 6 Series Gran Coupé and 7 Series, as well as the current X1 and X3 SUV. The Italian tyre maker has now added the X5 and X6 to this list following BMW’s decision to choose the P Zero as original equipment on its most powerful 4x4s, the X5 and X6 (E70).
Metzeler has announced that its new sport touring Tourance Next tyres will debut on the BMW R 1200 GS at international motorcycle, scooter and bicycle show, Intermot, which runs from 3 to 7 October in Cologne, Germany. Metzeler has been a BMW development partner for its GS line since 1980 with street enduro products and since 1999 with its Tourance-branded tyres. The Tourance Next is the third generation of the range and was specifically designed for the latest generation of street enduro and adventure touring bikes. The tyre is original equipment on the BMW R 1200 GS in sizes 120/70 R19 M/C and the 170/60 R17 M/C, having been developed in cooperation with the Bavarian manufacturer.
Along with several other tyre majors, Yokohama Rubber has debuted new products at the MINExpo International 2012 show, which ends today in the US. The Japanese manufacturer is displaying a total of 17 OTR radials at the show, including the new “RL45” and “RL51”, along with a new sizes in its “RB42” range for rigid dump trucks.
Toyo’s range of winter tyres is designed to tackle all wintry driving conditions, aiming to increase drivers’ safety in more conditions than just the handful of snowy days (or weeks) in the UK. Toyo stresses that its winter tyres do not require snow to appreciate the benefits they offer. Toyo identifies slush, ice, mud and cold December downpours as conditions in which the tyres will “prove their worth in keeping drivers on the move”. The company’s computer-optimised tread designs come in a wide variety of sizes to suit all vehicles, from small compact cars to ultra high performance models to 4×4’s and SUV’s.
Maxxis’ range of winter tyres is designed to cope with conditions across Europe, where the manufacturer says they have “proved their reliability”. Designed to disperse snow and deliver improved grip, Maxxis has developed its winter weather tyres with Virtual Intelligent Prototyping technology, engineering them to cope with the most extreme temperatures and slippery surfaces. The range currently includes the MA-PW, the MA-W1, MA-W2 and MA-SPW Wintermaxx range tyres, and the MA-SW Victra Snow tyres.
Dutch tyre wholesaler Interstate Tire & Rubber Co. has added three new winter lines to its 2012 winter programme, which now covers van and SUV sizes, as well as including a fully studdable PCR-light truck line. The three new winter tyres join the popular the popular Winter IWT-2 EVO line, meaning that the company now offers over 120 unique sizes in its private brand winter line-up. The wholesaler says that the new additions mean that its own brand has 11 tyre lines and over 250 sizes in what it calls the “premium-budget segment”.
Hankook is intent on meeting labelling legislation head-on with its latest winter tyre, the Winter i*cept RS. The tyre, designed for small city vehicles up to MPVs is optimised for the moderate climate of Central and Western Europe, the manufacturer says, designed for wet, snowy, slushy and also dry roads. The directional, V-shaped five-rib tread features 14 per cent more kerfs (otherwise known as sipes), which are arranged at lateral angles between 0° in the centre-tread and 15° in the shoulder for greater traction. The tread is wider compared to the previous model, increasing the contact patch. Grip on snow and slush is improved by blocks in a staggered arrangement along the middle of the tread, while corrugated 3D kerfs increase traction and braking performance on all smooth surfaces.
Sumitomo brand, Falken has launched its newest winter tyre, the Eurowinter HS449. Falken says the new tyre has an innovative tread pattern and compound to improve control and grip. It is available for delivery in the UK this month, meaning it is ready for the start of the cold weather season.
Shanghai-based manufacturer, SD International has introduced winter tyre models across several of the company's established private brands – Pace, Zeta and Maxtrek.
Continental has developed its first winter coach tyre, the HSW 2 Coach. Designed primarily for safety, but with the varying road surfaces involved in coach travel applications, quiet running, comfort and economy also in mind, the tyre, suitable for use on all axles of the coach, uses “intelligent tread pattern design” to provide the characteristics necessary for winter passenger transportation. But the really clever bit is that the tyre has been designed to wear in a way that will make it suitable for continued use when spring arrives.
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