Growth in every size segment from 17” up, but rapidly slowing
The UK’s high performance tyre sector – in this case defined by tyre diameters of 17” and above – has continued its growth trend, but at a very much slower rate than in 2017.
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Cooper’s rallycross supply increases global awareness of UHP products
Cooper Tire’s involvement in rallycross as official tyre supplier and sponsor of the FIA World Rallycross Championship over the past four years is helping it to improve its European exposure as a supplier of high performance tyres, the manufacturer states. It describes the expertise it gains from the series as a critical part of its ability to produce tyres that can be pushed to the toughest of limits, but the growing popularity of the series, including dedicated coverage up 550 per cent compared to 2013 and reaching younger audiences via mixed media coverage, also provides a hotbed for Cooper to display its performance credentials to new audiences across the globe.
Maxxis Victra Sport 5 set for Cologne launch
Maxxis is heading to the Tire Cologne show (29 May to 01 June) ready to show off one of the most innovative tyres it has ever produced. The new Victra Sport 5 premium sport tyre will be officially unveiled on the manufacturer’s stand (Hall 7, C030) at 15.00 on the opening day. According to the company, the new tyre “is set to follow in the footsteps of other recently launched products by elevating the Maxxis range to a whole new level of performance.”
Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres for the New Ferrari 488 Pista
Michelin has developed a new Pilot Sport Cup 2 K2 ultra-high performance tyre for Ferrari’s new 488 Pista supercar. The new model will run on 245/35 ZR20 (front) and 305/30 ZR20 (rear) sizes, with the tyre manufacturer’s latest generation road-legal track tyre co-developed specially with Ferrari.
Six Pirelli tyres for Lamborghini Urus SUV
A month after Pirelli revealed it is making OE tyres to Lamborghini’s first SUV (the Urus) the tyre manufacturer is giving further detail of the six tyres it is supplying. For such an extreme car, which can go from 0-100km/h in 3.6 seconds and from 0-200km/h in 12.8 seconds, with a maximum speed of 305km/h, Pirelli could clearly not develop just a single tyre. Depending on the style and driving mode selected, Pirelli has provided Urus drivers with three families of product: P Zero for lovers of performance, P Zero Corsa for those seeking on-track adrenaline, and Scorpion for those who favour more adventurous driving, off-road as well.
Latest Kumho eco tyre leads 2018 UK car tyre range
Kumho has introduced its latest eco tyre, the Ecowing ES31, to the UK market, joining its high performance Ecsta range. The new tyre will gradually replace the established KH27, and is available initially in a total of 38 14 to 17 inch sizes, almost 70 percent of which carry a B label grade for rolling resistance. The sizes including all the key fitments for such best-selling small and medium-sized hatchbacks and saloons as the VW Polo and Golf, Fiat 500, Audi A1, A2, A3 and A4, BMW 1 and 2 Series, Peugeot 208 and Renault Clio.
Avon Tyres becomes official tyre supplier to 6th Gear Experience
Avon Tyres is the official tyre supplier for 6th Gear Experience, the UK’s largest provider of Supercar Driving Experience Days. The brand will supply its ultra-high performance ZZ5 for the majority of 6th Gear Experience vehicles, a tyre specifically designed for driving enthusiasts and high-end sports cars. The Avon ZZ5 has an A-grade for wet grip, the highest rating awarded under EU regulations, and offers exceptional handling, braking performance, and rolling resistance.
110 new homologations for Pirelli, including Frankfurt Motor Show UHP stars
Pirelli has recorded what it describes as a record number of homologations in August 2017, with 110. These include the Scorpion Winter and Sottozero for winter conditions; P Zero and its racing counterpart P Zero Corsa for UHP fitments; and the Cinturato family, including the P7 All Season for cars of medium engine capacity.
Pirelli Prestige and Performance competition returns to Blenheim
The Pirelli Prestige and Performance Competition has returned for a third year, this time as the headline act in the newly formed Blenheim Palace Classic and Supercar event.
Over 1,000 supercars and hypercars descended on the Great Court, with 80 being entered into the Pirelli Prestige and Performance Competition. The judging panel, which included racing driver and presenter Vicki Butler Henderson and Tom Exon of @TGE_LDNM on Instagram, had some difficult choices when it came to selecting the following winners:
Hankook UHP Ventus S1 evo² tyre selected for new Audi RS 5 Coupé
Hankook’s ultra-high performance flagship tyre, the Ventus S1 evo², will be fitted to the latest Audi RS5 Coupé as original equipment in 19 and 20-inch sizes. The tyre manufacturer has previously supplied the tyre to Audi’s TT RS in 2016. The RS 5 Coupé will use the newly developed V6 biturbo engine, which combines performance with greater efficiency. This suitability for everyday use is, Hankook states, reflected in the tyres, which are designed to provide sporty handling alongside driving comfort, and improved grip alongside durability.
Pirelli investing in compound unit at German UHP tyre factory
The Pirelli plant in Breuberg, Germany is considered one of the company’s leading sites for the production of ultra-high performance tyres, and to cement the factory’s position a new investment is being made in equipment and facilities. Through this investment of an undisclosed sum, the tyre maker is setting up a new rubber compound processing facility in Breuberg.
Yokohama brand goes UHP, following Chelsea sponsorship
Currently experiencing a boost in its brand awareness thanks to its partnership with 2016/2017 Premier League champions Chelsea FC, demand for Yokohama’s range of high performance tyres which allow drivers to push the limit reportedly continues to soar.
Maxxis aims to address increasing high performance demand with Premitra HP5
In recent years, demand for high performance and UHP tyres has increased considerably (see GfK data earlier in this section). However, this trend has also resulted in greater complexity in the market. Current trends see more small cars and family saloons being fitted with 16, 17, 18 and 19 inch rims, and as a result, motorists are requiring bigger, but better performing, tyres. Such demand indicates the need for manufacturers to offer a broader range of tyres, in a variety of tread patterns and load and speed ratings, to satisfy the market.
Ultra high performance tyres – a premium market place?
The UK ultra-high performance sector (defined as 17-inch diameters and above) now represents some 38.8 per cent of the UK tyre market. That’s according to the latest market data produced by experts at GfK whose Point of Sales Tracking data compared sales in the period between May 2015 to April 2016 with May 2016 to April 2017. In order to better understand the high performance sector, Tyres & Accessories took a close look at the latest GfK information.
Cooper Tires: recent tyre additions show commitment to latest technologies
Cooper Tires has launched two new products in its high performance range over the last 18 months, something the company describes as an indication that the firm is “committed to offering customers the latest tyre technologies.”
According to the company, Cooper’s knowledge of the motorsport industry and the demands of high performance driving enable the tyre manufacturer to develop road tyres that are optimised for high performance vehicles.
