Kumho has designed a “futuristic” all-terrain tyre for the innovative Hyundai Carlino compact SUV unveiled at Auto Expo 2016 in Delhi. The tyre, designed in collaboration with the South Korean car manufacturer, has been engineered to adapt to all manner of surfaces while maintaining optimum grip. With strong on- and off-road performance, the Kumho-shod Carlino […]
When the DS E-Tense high performance electric GT rolls into the 2016 Geneva International Motor Show it will be fitted with bespoke Michelin Pilot Super Sport concept tyres. Created by DS Automobiles, the car was unveiled in Paris on 26 February. The French luxury brand says the Michelin concept tyres reflect its stylistic vision, while enhancing the exhilarating driving sensations it offers.
The Frankfurt motor show has been a hotbed of announcement activity for Hankook Tire. In addition to an IAA launch of its Laufenn brand in Europe, news of original equipment tyre supply for the latest generation Audi A4 and the Volkswagen Touran, and the release of a lower rolling resistance Ventus S1 evo² and its fitment on the Mercedes-Benz C350e plug-in hybrid, the tyre maker has discussed its strategic partnership with shoe outsole company Vibram.
Hankook Tire reports that several concept tyres it developed in collaboration with Germany’s Pforzheim University have landed 2015 Red Dot Design Award and 2015 IDEA (International Design Excellence Award) honours.
Hankook Tire has reported the successful high speed testing of its iFlex non-pneumatic tyre. The South Korean company has been developing the iFlex concept since 2011, and recently fitted its latest generation prototype tyre to a Kia Ray electric car in order to evaluate its performance at speed. The iFlex-shod Ray was driven through a slalom course at up to 130 km/h (80mph), and the tyre maker states that its airless tyre performed perfectly in all safety and durability tests.
The Maxplo, a super-low aspect ratio concept tyre developed by Kumho Tire to demonstrate how tyres of the future may look and operate, has been awarded a Platinum A’ Design Award in the Futuristic category. Along with the other winners of no less than 89 different categories, Kumho received its A’ Design Award last month at a gala dinner in Italy. The Platinum award received by Kumho is the highest of four A’ Design award levels – the others being Iron, Silver and Gold.
Tyre development teams at Cooper Tire & Rubber have exceeded the goals set for it under a US government project, the tyre maker reports. These results were in part achieved by utilising materials that Cooper says are not used in tyres currently available on the market. Looking forward, the various technologies developed during the project will be put together in a single concept tyre, and Cooper is evaluating the use of technologies in commercial applications.
A concept tyre produced by Sumitomo Rubber Industries offers a glimpse into how future drivers of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, or PHEVs, may be able to enjoy both sporty handling and efficiency. The Falken concept tyre features different tread areas in order to address the conflict between rolling resistance (and its influence on range) and the need to offer the sharp, sporty dynamics that sports SUV drivers expect.
As reported on Tuesday, Pirelli tested 18-inch Formula One concept tyres at Silverstone this week. Early yesterday, Lotus F1 Team reserve driver Charles Pic took the concept tyres out for their debut run and completed 14 laps of the Silverstone circuit.
Tomorrow, Pirelli will test an 18-inch F1 concept tyre at Silverstone. The tyre maker reports that the test will be conducted with Lotus F1 team during the third in-season test this year.
Toyo Tires has released an image of what it calls a ‘design study’ from its Japanese studios. Showcasing the possible future direction of its Proxes UHP range the tyre features an all-weather silica compound.
While we covered Goodyear’s AB rated SUV tyres and chip-in-tyre technology earlier in March, and while we alluded to Goodyear’s latest concept tyre back then as well, the concept is also worth talking about in some more detail. Billed as the future of SUV tyres, Goodyear’s concept has been designed as part of the company’s ongoing research into potential tyre technologies. The concept, which has not yet been named, builds on a standard SUV tyre with a large central groove. Thanks to this groove the tyre has a reduced contact patch with the road, which in turn could improve the tyre’s overall rolling resistance, supporting ongoing efforts to enhance fuel efficiency and reduce CO2 released from the car. The reduction in this rolling resistance means that car engines do not need to work as hard to push the tyre forward against the friction created by its contact with the ground.
Maintaining its position as a winter tyre innovation leader in its 80th year, Nokian has built a concept tyre that allows drivers to use studs at the touch of a button. The Finnish manufacturer says the “world’s first non-studded winter tyre with studs” would allow drivers to make the switch when conditions clearly change – […]
A Wiltshire-based rubber research and development specialist is working with Canadian Tire to develop a tyre that changes colour when winter tyres are needed. The retailer approached Artis, the firm created as a result of the reorganisation of Avon Rubber in 2007, and tasked the Melksham company to develop such a product. It has now produced a concept tyre featuring a sidewall that changes from white to a vivid blue at 7°C.
