Marangoni presented two new additions for 2011 in Bologna in the Marangoni M-Power high performance tyre and the 4 Winter comm, a light transport winter tyre. The M-Power is designed for sports cars and SUVs, with an asymmetrical tread that has a block binding system, which gives greater handling benefits. It boasts sporting characteristics, but four longitudinal grooves reduce the typical aquaplaning effect of closed sporting patterns.
Formula One tyre supplier Pirelli is looking forward to a high-paced European Grand Prix at Valencia on its debuting PZero White medium compound tyre, but the forces acting on the tyre in the circuit’s corners and four near-300km/h straights can be some of the hardest on the tyres in the F1 calendar. A potential tyre problem at Valencia is so-called “blistering” – sections of tyre compound separating from the tread caused by overheating. While PZero tyres undergo a chemical treatment to minimise the risk of this happening, the manufacturer says that teams must concentrate on minimising sliding with tidy driving and enough downforce in order to cut the chances of tyre blisters forming.
Promising “even higher productivity on North American construction sites and work sites,” Michelin North America has launched the latest addition to its radial skid steer range, the BibSteel Hard-Surface tyre. This new product, which replaces the Michelin Stabil’XZSL radial, is said to deliver increased traction and durability plus a better ride than its cross-ply counterparts.
Tyre manufacturer Maxxis recently added the ZR9 ultra high performance radial specifically designed for asphalt track racing to its high performance range. The tyre, which made its UK public debut at AutoSport International and has been available since the end of April in size 195/50 VR15, has a directional tread pattern design with low void ratio for impressive handling. The large shoulder blocks aid cornering and lateral stability, while the centre V-shaped grooves disperse water efficiently to ensure excellent wet traction. The tread, sidewall, bead design and racing compound are designed to meet handling and traction requirements for racing.
Stoke-based bus and coach operator Bakers Coaches says trialling Michelin’s X Energy SaverGreen tyres is the next step in a series of fuel-saving initiatives it is undertaking. The company was awarded an Environmental Business Award for its commitment to reducing carbon emissions at local newspaper The Sentinel’s Business Awards ceremony in March 2011 for its pro-environmental activities. These include the construction of an eco-friendly operating centre in 2007 and recent fleet-wide installation of advanced GreenRoad vehicle telematics and Masternaught tracking technology.
With rain showers forecast across much of the UK this coming Spring Bank Holiday weekend, tyre safety organisation TyreSafe is encouraging drivers to check the condition of their tyres before setting off. Drivers should ensure that their tyres have adequate tread depth to grip potentially slippery road surfaces and are properly inflated to carry any additional loads such as luggage or extra passengers.
Korean tyre manufacturer Nexen Tyres has announced the availability of its new high-performance summer tyre with what the company terms “smooth-run features”. Nexen believes the CP661 (TR) offers “noticeable energy savings” and “excellent handling on both wet and dry surfaces”. The range comprises twenty-five sizes from 13” to 17” with aspect ratios between 55 and 70 and is made at Nexen’s Korea and China production facilities. A CP661 tyre is currently fitted as OE on the KIA Soul and the KIA Forte model.
North American customers were recently introduced to Continental’s HSC1 and HDC1 steer and drive construction tyres; billed by Continental Tires the Americas (CTA) as its ‘next generation’ of construction tyres, the new products replace the original HSC and HDC in this region. In mid-May the range was presented to fleet customers, dealers and media at CTA’s 2,000 hectare proving grounds in Uvalde, Texas.
Goodyear has announced an extension to its range of durable radial industrial tyres, the IT630T, with the first size available the most popular one for these machines: 460/70R24. The new tyre is designed for use in hard ground applications, with its primary utilisation on telescopic handler machines, denoted by the suffix T.
Goodyear has announced its return to annual tipper show Tip-Ex at North Yorkshire’s Harrogate International Centre this year. The show, which runs between 10 and 12 June, will see the company display its Omnitrac MSS II and MSD II tyres, which feature the company’s two latest truck tyre innovations: DuraSeal and Max Technology. “An event such as Tip-Ex is a great way for Goodyear to enable tipper operators to view our innovative products Duraseal and Max Technology,” said Adam Stanton, product marketing manger for commercial tyres.
Some 80 million television viewers around the world are said to watch the FIA European Truck Racing Championship, and in 2011 Goodyear is continuing its commitment to the sport by supplying tyres to all 24 participating race trucks. In addition to supplying all teams with specially designed and built Truck Racing tyres, the company will also provide the FIA with technical support at all ten series races. The Goodyear tyres are supplied and serviced by TRO (Truck Racing Organisation), the sole tyre supplier. TRO represents the interests of all teams in the FIA European Truck Racing Championship and its trucks and trailers will attend all races, providing a tyre fitting area in the paddock at each venue. This year sees the introduction of RFID chips in the supplied tyres to enable their systematic electronic monitoring during race weekends.
etyres has launched a puncture repair gauge that helps motorists whose tyres have been damaged to dodge the cost of expensive replacements. The gauge is available to download and print from the etyres website.
With Britain's roads blighted by a pothole plague following two consecutive harsh winters, motorists are increasingly suffering from punctured tyres.
Key requirements of van tyre users are durability, economy and good performance, particularly in the wet. Bridgestone aims to meet these with its van tyre range. The tyre maker notes that long distances frequently come with the territory for the average commercial van driver, and for businesses and individuals who are often on the road, going the distance with long-haul journeys, it recommends the Duravis R410. This is, Bridgestone comments, a durable, high mileage tyre, designed for withstanding heavy use and daily deliveries at highway speeds.
The two products in the Toyo range aimed at van users are the H08 and H09. The first of these is a tyre designed to meet the requirements of vehicles operating at motorway speeds as well on urban roads. Toyo reports the H08 gives first rate performance in the wet or dry combined with a long working life, and was designed to be a low maintenance tyre. Thus, the tyre maker adds, it is “very robust and durable to satisfy the most demanding users including the modern multi drop van fleets.” The H08 is also relied upon by the emergency services, Toyo notes.
Bridgestone has announced that Citroën has selected its Potenza RE050A sports tyre for the Citroën DS3 Racing, Citroën’s hot hatch in the premium DS line. The 215/40R18 tyre is now fitted on all Citroën DS3 Racing production cars. The ultra-high-performance Potenza RE050A is designed to handle the power output of an over 200 hp turbo-charged engine like this Citroën DS3 Racing. It has an asymmetric pattern designed for a dynamic balanced performance with sharp response, precise steering and high-level wet safety.
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