In the US Goodyear reports that the list of Dunlop Signature fitments has been boosted by 11 new sizes this autumn, along with four additional choices in the brand’s SP Winter Sport 3D line. The Dunlop Signature, an all-season touring tyre for standard and luxury passenger cars, with equal focus on enhanced handling and a quiet, comfortable ride, has added 235/55R17 and 215/60R17 sizes.
The high number of crashes occurring above the snow line in alpine regions of Australia has prompted one Australian state to propose a regulation making the fitting of 4×4 vehicles with winter tyres or snow chains compulsory. The regulation, proposed by the Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) in New South Wales, would be enforced between June and October and covers the nation’s heavily visited ski areas.
Although the Cobra brand needs little introduction to discerning suspension enthusiasts, the firm’s simply large range of ‘retro’ car springs is perhaps not so well known. Nestled amongst the plethora of modern fitments is a range of springs ranging from as far back as the ‘60s through to the ‘70s and ‘80s. Obvious retro icons like the Mk1 Golf are supremely well catered for, says Cobra, but a perusal through the company’s retro fitment list list reveals more obscure gems like the Opel Manta, Volvo 240, Saab 99, a huge quantity of retro Fords and Vauxhalls and a healthy dollop of early VAG group and Japanese cars. As well as a wide range of spring kits, some models also have sports damper kits available. Most kits lower the recipient car by between 30 and 40mm.
Bridgestone has won the OE-contract to supply the 2009 Infiniti FX. The luxury sporty hatchback range will ride exclusively on Bridgestone-brand Dueler tyres.
The Dueler H/P 92A in size P265/60R18 109V is standard equipment on the V6-powered FX35 and FX35 AWD while the 390-horsepower, V8-powered FX50 is shod with Bridgestone Dueler H/L 400 tyres in size P265/45R21 104V. This Dueler H/L 400 is the first-ever application of a 21-inch tire on Infiniti’s sporty crossover.
The 2009 Infiniti FX rides exclusively on Bridgestone Dueler tyres. Dueler H/P 92A tyres in size P265/60R18 109V are standard equipment on the V6-powered FX35 and FX35 AWD while the 390-horsepower, V8-powered FX50 is shod with Dueler H/L 400 tyres in size P265/45R21 104V. This Dueler H/L 400 is the first-ever application of a 21-inch tyre on Infiniti’s sporty crossover. Also available as optional equipment for the V6-powered 2009 Infiniti FX35 and FX35 AWD are size P265/50R20 106V Dueler H/P 92A tyres. Bridgestone also offers a Blizzak DM-Z3 winter tyre in all three OE sizes for the Infiniti FX, the company said. (Tire Review/Akron)
Viking International has announced that Hunters of Linlithgow are the winners of the company’s recent mini-break promotion for Barum Tyres. All Barum dealers took part in the promotion which ran from 2 June and 25 July. John and Mari Hunter, owners of Hunters of Linlithgow, were the proud winners and received £500 of holiday vouchers towards a short break of their choice. With a great deal of experience in the motor trade, John and Mari established Hunters of Linlithgow six years ago. They now have twenty-two employees and are the largest Viking International Barum dealer in the UK. John Hunter commented: “Barum is a quality brand and we get a lot of repeat business from it. We plan to use the vouchers to get away to the sun during the winter, thanks to Viking International.”
(Canadaeast News Service) Ambulance New Brunswick (ANB) is asking an Edmundston-based consultant who prepared a report on winter-tire testing to clarify its results. In a news release, the organization expressed frustration with Gilles Francoeur over delays, findings and unanswered questions in the report which was made available to ANB earlier this week. “With many initial questions still unanswered by this version (of the report), we have returned to the consultant for further clarification on some of the information,” said Preston Holmes, ANB’s director of clinical operations.
According to Local 4848 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees, which represents about 1,000 paramedics in the province, the report recommended a return to winter tires on ambulances. Officials from the provincial ambulance system and from the paramedics’ union agreed to conduct a series of tests last spring to measure the performance of several models of tire, including the brand used on every ambulance in New Brunswick.
Sealey has introduced its new range of Compact Auto Maintenance Battery Chargers; simply plug in, turn on and the charger does the rest. These new chargers use inverter technology with micro-chip management to read the battery condition, adjusting their behaviour to optimise the battery charging process. They have multiple charging cycles with profiles designed to cram the battery with the maximum amount of charge, in the most effective time period, maintaining it at this level.
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Nankang has further expanded its winter tyre portfolio with the inclusion of the SL-6 commercial snow tyre. According to the company, this new product offers particular improvements in handling and safety performance. The handling response is said to be based on the tyre’s V shaped groove design and the “3D curve” located on the tyre’s shoulder, which enhances braking performance. The new ECO compound recipe is said to add a cap tread designed to reduce pollution. The silica-based compound the SL-6 uses has the dual benefit of maintain grip performance and economy, while maintaining driving safety on icy roads.
For the upcoming cold months Maxxis rolls out a number of solutions to the hazards of winter driving, all of which feature the Maxxis soft tread winter compound and a design that facilitates water dispersal and snow and slush removal.
Passenger cars can benefit from the MA-W1 Wintermaxx, a high performance tyre Maxxis states offers a quiet ride combined with traction that comes into its own in snowy weather. The tread is a zigzag pattern unidirectional design with multiple grooves for effective water drainage and snow removal. The footprint on the MA-W1 has been optimised for secure handling and braking on wet, icy or snow covered roads. The MA-W1 is available in a wide range of size configurations from 13-inches up to a V rated 17-inch variation.
Like it or not, winter is fast approaching and Sealey has come up with a promotion to help keep those winter blues at bay. Launching on the 1st September 2008 with offers valid until the end of February 2009, Sealey’s 64 page ‘Winter Lines’ promotion will see you right through the chill with discounts on many must-have items.
Marangoni is urging retailers to plan their winter stock requirements as soon as possible in order to be best prepared for the upcoming season. While the company regards the concept of cold weather tyres as relatively new to the UK market, it still believes that the difference they can make to Winter driving is huge, in terms of control, precision and ultimate safety; all features the company banks upon when attempting to entice new British market customers to make the change come November. Indeed, the company believes that “manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers alike, all have a duty to educate the UK marketplace to the importance of fitting the correct tyres for winter driving conditions… It can be the vital difference between getting home and being stranded.”
Marangoni itself offers, the Meteo HP for UK drivers, which comes in sizes to fit family saloons, performance cars and more recently SUVs, bringing a greater degree safety in the most hazardous driving conditions of the year.
Carrying tyres produced using the latest technology and state-of-the-art tyre-building machinery, Interstate offers a range of high-quality own-brand winter options. The company is able to offer the tyres at competitive prices thanks to 25 years of experience of co-operating with world leaders in the development of advanced technology in the design and production of tyres.
The winter program contains 14 sizes, in one pattern: the IWT-2. These tyre sizes cover a large part of the replacement market for passenger car tires, a market Interstate aims to develop. All the winter offerings from Interstate are e-marked, DOT approved and produced in the newest ISO-certified facilities.
After making its debut on the international winter tyre market in 2007, the Westlake brand, manufactured by Hangzhou Zhongce Rubber Company, is offering eleven size options ranging from 13 inches to 16 inches, incorporating an imposing and rugged symmetrical tread pattern to combat all winter road condition right across Europe.
The Westlake line is manufactured at one of the largest tyre production plants in China, while the products are distributed throughout the UK, Ireland and Europe by London-based Eskay Tyres. The general manager of Eskay, Rob Henderson states that, “With the Westlake brand already well-established as a quality brand in both PCR and Truck budget sectors of the market, we have every confidence that our new winter tyre range will be well-received and have an instant impact in the market. They will offer the same exceptional value for money as all other Westlake products and the range will be further enhanced with new sizes and patterns in due course”.
A new private label tyre company based in Oregon, USA has launched its first product, one with an interesting twist. Icon Tire’s new I/Q LT7 line features what the company calls “Visual Tire Performance Indicators” (VTPI), stud-like devises designed to help drivers see when a tyre has worn to its removal mileage.
Icon said the new tyres and system will be available to dealers and retailers by the end of this year. Initially there will be 12 sizes, Icon said, focused on minivans and SUVs. Icon said the new line was “developed through a non-exclusive license of Smart Tread LLC’s patented performance testing and identification method, and Icon’s patent pending stud design.”
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