Wheels Archives - Page 85 of 133

Solideal Introduces Steel Surcharge

Solideal has announced that it is to introduce a steel charge on all wheels and assemblies, effective 15 May 2008. According to an official statement on the matter, the action is “strictly due to the hyper-inflation in steel prices. The surcharge will be evaluated monthly and will begin at the rate of US$0.49/kg.” Solideal CEO, Cesar Clemente, explained: “As commodity prices are increasing so dramatically, we have absolutely no choice but to make this move.” The company is also planning to announce a general price increase on tyres and wheels in June.

12th May 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

New Wheels Mark Breyton’s 25th Birthday

Product News

BMW tuner Breyton is marking its 25th year as one of Europe‘s most respected tuning brands. To celebrate, it has released two new designs onto the market. The Race GT for all BMW fitments and the Flame Junior Sport for New Minis. Both are said to combine classical good looks with Breyton’s usual blend of build quality and integrity.

The Race GT brings the lines of a radial spoke DTM wheel to the road market. Available in a variety of finishes, including silver, black and ball-burnished in sizes from 8.5 x 19-inch up to 10 x 20-inch. Offsets and fitting kits are available to cover all road going saloon BMWs. Prices start at £349.45 including Vat for the 19-inch.

2nd May 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Aftermarket TPMS from Tyresure

Product News

Tyresure remind us that a car tyre’s contact with the road comes courtesy of a patch of rubber usually no bigger than a child’s footprint. Yet while we rely on them to transport our most precious of cargos, most of us rarely give them the attention they deserve. But an aftermarket solution is at hand; the company’s products allow crucial tyre pressure and temperature data to be displayed in an instant, enabling drivers to check its status without even leaving the driving seat.

Tyresure’s TPMS, says the company, utilises military-spec technology on each road wheel to display an accurate tyre pressure and temperature reading for each tyre, direct to the driver in real time. This can be accessed permanently, or set as a ‘pre-flight check’, which then updates the driver if preset safety parameters are breached. This is displayed through a compact display screen that shows safe pressures in green, changing to red if the pressure or temperature moves to a dangerous level. The system works on any type of vehicle, from family saloons to the full-size SUVs, and once the sensors have been fitted to the wheels the system is a true ‘Plug & Play’ fitment.

2nd May 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Dunlop SP Sport Maxx TT – A Touch Different

Product News

Dunlop’s latest addition to its uhp range is the SP Sport Maxx TT, the successor to the award-winning SP Sport Maxx and which incorporates a host of new features and advanced technologies.
The first of these is the addition of DuPont Kevlar Engineered Elastomer (EE) to apex of the tyre. Kevlar is a fibre that is five times stronger than steel, yet light in weight and its addition to the tyre apex compound creates a stiffer sidewall, which becomes more resistant to torsion, tension and heat and guarantees increased stability during cornering, as well as enhanced road feedback and more precision driving.
The compound is further enhanced by the use of motor sport-derived compound and fillers with particle sizes smaller than 100 nanometers – with one nanometer being one millionth of a millimetre. This ensures better bonding between the filler and rubber matrix, thus increasing the total surface, which in turn ensures that the tyre offers better performance in both adhesion and wear. The concrete benefits are numerous: improved wet and dry grip and braking, as well as longer mileage.

2nd May 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

RUD-Erlau Delivers World’s Largest OTR Tyre Chains

Product News

Following the recent completion of a three year expanion and modernization programme of its Aalen, Germany, tyre protection chain (TPC) production facility; RUD-Erlau delivered and installed two full sets of the world’s largest TPCs last month. Called the R 75S Plus the TPCs have gone into service in both Europe and North America.

In Europe the R 75S Plus are protecting all four 52/80–57 tyres on a CAT 994 loading limestone. The other machine to be shod with R 75S Plus is a giant LeTourneau 1850 working iron ore in North America.

1st May 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Latest TSW Alloy Wheels Now in UK

Product News

Three new TSW wheels products have hit the shelves in the UK, reports nationwide distributor Yokohama HPT Ltd – and more are on their way. The new wheels, called the Croft, Indy 500 and Jarama, all build on the company’s reputation for design and quality and, adds Yokohama HPT, pay more than a passing homage to some of the iconic motorsport venues from around the world.

The Croft, named after England’s northern race circuit, is a full-mesh design and brings an aggressive circuit look and feel to the roads. The spokes run from the edge of the mounting flange to the very outside of the wheel rim, offering a true motorsport feel. The wheel comes in gun metal with a mirror cut lip or chrome and is available in a range of sizes, from 8×17 to 10×20-inch, and is well-suited for staggered fitments.

1st May 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

High Speed from Matador

Product News

The Hectorra MP 45 and MP 46 Hectorra 2 continue to keep Matador well represented in the high performance tyre segment.

Available in W and Y speed ratings, aspect ratios from 55 series down to 30 series and for wheels from 16 to 18-inch, the MP 45’s asymmetric tread pattern gives the tyre a sporty look, as well as contributing to good handling in the wet and on dry roads. ‘W’ speed rated tyres are also available with an extra load capacity.

The MP 46 Hectorra 2 is the second generation summer high speed asymmetric tread tyres produced by the Slovakian manufacturer, and the final sizes to complete the Hectorra 2 range are expected to come to market during summer 2008. Like the MP 45, the Hectorra 2 features an asymmetric tread and Matador reports it delivers excellent braking properties and reliable manoeuvrability on wet as well as dry surfaces, along with high resistance to aquaplaning. The MP 46 Hectorra 2 is available in V and Y speed rated sizes for rim diameters between 16 and 20-inch.

30th April 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

New Semperit Midi-Trailer Tyre

Product News

Semperit has introduced a new 385/55 R 22.5 tyre for midi-trailers, the “EuroTrailer”. This tyre is the first in the brands new Euro product range and offers the benefit of around 5 cubic meters more cargo volume – and reportedly better mileage – for heavy road freight. The new EuroTrailer is available now in the 385/55 R 22.5 size with 160/-K and 158/-L indices.

A conventional trailer, i.e. a trailer with standard 385/65 R 22.5 tyres, has an internal height of 2.70m. The 385/55 R 22.5 version of the new Semperit “EuroTrailer” allows an additional internal height of at least 10cm and therefore increases the possible cargo volume by up to 5m³.

29th April 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Record Breaking Performance

Product News

Ruling the high performance roost at Michelin is the Pilot Sport PS2 and the Pilot Sport Cup +. The first of these is a tyre that, in April 2008, earned the distinction of being the tyre fitted to the world’s fastest production car – a Shelby SuperCars’ Ultimate Aero, fitted with the Michelin tyres, set a new record of 256.18 mph (412.28 km/h) during tests in the US. This accomplishment, the first occasion in which a US vehicle manufacturer has held the speed record since 1967, took place with little to no wear present on the Michelin tyre.

So this second generation Michelin tyre is obviously not one intended for plodding trips to the supermarket, then. Designed in close collaboration with prestige vehicle manufacturers in the sport and supersport segments, the Pilot Sport PS2 has been homologated for various models from, amongst others, Audi, BMW, Porsche and Mercedes. The Pilot Sport PS2 features a rigid asymmetric tread pattern – Michelin points out the similarities this format, with its four grooves around the tyre, shares with Formula 1 tyres. The pattern is one that ensures superior steering response, the manufacturer adds, and grip on wet and dry surfaces is improved by the presence of a dual compound plus the use of a Variable Contact Patch (VCP) System that maintains the optimum size and shape of the tyre’s contact patch whether driving in a straight line or under hard cornering.

28th April 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Statement on Hunter Suit Filed Against Hennessy Industries

Product News

This is the relevant portion of the official statement issued by Hunter Engineering regarding its recent patent infringement lawsuit filed against competitor Hennessy Industries:

“On April 7, 2008, Hunter Engineering filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Hennessy Industries, Inc. relating to Hunter US patent numbers 6,952,964 and 7,320,248. These patents involve technology marketed by Hunter as SmartWeight that simplifies the wheel balancing process and significantly reduces the materials necessary to effectively balance wheels, thus reducing the cost to perform proper wheel balancing operations.

“The lawsuit implicates Hennessy’s wheel balancing equipment that includes the ‘Coats EconoBalance’ feature or the ‘Coats EB’ feature.” (Tire Review/Akron)

25th April 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Titan Gets Deal With Deere

Product News

Titan Tire has signed a three-year deal to supply farm tyres to John Deere.

“John Deere has been Titan’s largest customer for years,” said Titan chairman and CEO Morry Taylor, “and we are pleased to enter into this agreement that assures Deere a supply of farm tyres. As the agricultural economy moves forward, the first year value of this contract should exceed over $100 million.” Titan did not specify which types of tyres it would supply, or if the deal included wheels. (Tire Review/Akron)

25th April 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Marshal to Introduce New UHP Line

Premium, Product News

The anticipated new flagship ultra-high performance tyre for the Marshal range, the Matrac FX MU11, makes its UK debut this summer and this replacement for the KU17 looks set to lift the bar in both looks and performance. Design-wise, the Matrac FX has been developed with the delivery of high levels of wet weather performance and resistance to aquaplaning in mind. Two other characteristics that featured highly as priorities during development are resistance to uneven wear and low noise generation.

Noise has been minimised by tuning the size of the tread blocks to improve uniformity, and the shoulder blocks are specially designed to resist uneven wear. New polymers have been used in the tread compound to increase wet handling and aquaplaning resistance. In terms of appearance, the Matrac FX’s sidewall design has been deliberately kept clean and simple and the lettering is readily legible thanks to the use of a noticeably bold font.

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25th April 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Finichi Releases 20-Inch Rimini Rim

Product News

Italian Wheel Designers, Finichi report having ‘raised the bar’ with their latest design – after establishing the Rimini as a design classic, with its timeless five spoke format and deep stainless steel lip, the manufacturer has gone one further by releasing a 20-inch fitment.

With staggered 8.5 and 10-inch widths, the wheels feature a machine polished face, pseudo-split rim rivets and a suitably deep 92mm lip (on 10-inch widths). All fitments come with a flawless black finish that provides a contrast with the highly polished surface faces. Applications include most core Japanese fitments, including 300ZX, 350Z, Evo, Supra and Skyline plus the bulk of BMW fitments. Plans for 20-inch Mercedes versions are also well advanced. Prices for the 20-inch Rimini start at £220 including VAT.

For those wanting the same style in a slightly more compact package, the Rimini also comes in a wide range of 17, 18 and 19-inch applications.

24th April 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

As Worn by all the Big Names…

Product News

When UK deliveries of the long-awaited replacement for Jaguar’s S-type began in March, much interest was directed towards what many see as a make or break car for the classic British marque. The new Jaguar XF represents a departure from the company’s strategy in recent years, which has seen its efforts directed towards presenting itself as a volume production rival for the established German luxury car manufacturers. The XF, in contrast, has been planned from the outset to be something different – a more exclusive premium sports car for a discerning clientele. As Jaguar design director Ian Callum said: “Jaguars should be perceived as cool cars, and cool cars attract interesting, edgy people.”

Included in this deliberately cool package is Pirelli. The Italian manufacturer’s partnership with Jaguar continues, with homologation for the XF covering sizes for all road and weather conditions. Pirelli tyres approved for the Jaguar XF include the P Zero, P7, Nero M + S and Winter Sottozero in four rim sizes – 17, 18, 19 and 20-inch. At the top of the new Jaguar range is the supercharged XF 4.2 V8, and Pirelli’s 20-inch P Zero is the exclusively supplied tyre for this model.

24th April 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

11th Hour Reprieve

Product News

Swiss based alloy wheel manufacturer Uniwheels has acquired the European interests of Germany’s ATS Group, former subsidiary of South African company Tiger Wheels. Included in the purchase are the company’s affiliated production factories in Germany and Poland as well as the globally recognised ATS brand name. We can only speculate at the purchase price – Uniwheels has chosen not to disclose this – and a separate solution is sought for the company’s US subsidiary, ATS Light Alloy Wheels (Alabama), Inc.

“With Uniwheels we have found an investor, who is taking over the shares of the subsidiaries of the insolvent ATS Beteiligungs GmbH,” commented Tobias Hoefer, representative of the Group’s insolvency administrator, Hack Hoefer. “With that in Europe all jobs and sites of the Group can be kept. This is the best possible result for the creditors and the employees.”

22nd April 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

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