BMW M has selected Pirelli P Zero Elect tyres for the new BMW i4 M50, the first fully electric car developed by the brand’s high-performance division. Pirelli is supplying this original equipment tyre in the front axle size 255/35R20 97Y XL P-ZERO(*) elt and the rear axle dimension 285/30R20 99Y XL P-ZERO(*) elt.
The first entirely electric Škoda to wear the brand’s go-fast vRS badge arrives in UK showrooms this week. This is of course the Škoda Enyaq Coupé iV vRS, a 299PS EV capable of completing the 0-62mph sprint in just 6.5 seconds and achieving a top speed of 111mph. Enyaq Coupé iV vRS models are equipped with black 20-inch Taurus wheels as standard or optional 21-inch Vision wheels with an anthracite finish. Original equipment tyres come courtesy of Bridgestone, Hankook or Pirelli.
Hankook will commence its role as the new official technical partner and tyre supplier of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship in 2023. The manufacturer, which is taking over from the original tyre supplier to the championship, Michelin, will further underline its commitment to the series with title sponsorship of three rounds in 2023, including the season finale in London. Hankook has invested heavily in the marketing of its new line of tyres for electric vehicles in 2022, the iON series. The manufacturer will supply the iON Race to Formula E, having tested the tyre in Valencia in December.
In 2022, China’s tyre industry has already carried out multiple rounds of the layout around new energy vehicles. Focusing on the product of passenger car tyres, seizing the new energy vehicle tyre market seems to be an essential strategy for significant tyre manufacturers to participate in future competition.
The public launch of the new Hankook iON race will take place at the Essen Motor Show early next month, ahead of the tyre’s competitive debut at the Mexico City E-Prix on 14 January 2023. Hankook Tire is an exclusive technical partner and tyre supplier to Formula E and has developed a tyre specifically for the series that contains around 30 per cent sustainable materials.
December is approaching and so is the Vredestein Quatrac Pro EV. Europe’s first dedicated all-season electric vehicle tyre will arrive next month, with Apollo Tyres promising a “range of advanced design features and materials.” Developed specifically for year-round use by battery electric vehicles and hybrids, Apollo has created the tyre to deliver greater driving range while providing superior levels of grip and traction in all conditions – including ice and snow.
Kumho Tyre (UK) supported the Max Adventure team as it beat its original time target on the Driven To Extremes Euro EV Marathon. The team covered its 3,174 mile-route from Oslo to Portugal in just 3.75 days in the fully electric Kia EV6 ‘Air’ fitted with Kumho’s Ecsta PS71 EV tyre. The team knocked 47 minutes off the time set by Sir Stirling Moss in 1952, adding an extra country to the list of those visited. The challenge was designed to show that a standard EV and current charging infrastructure can now allow drivers to cover vast distances in a short time. The Kumho Ecsta PS71 EV is an original fitment on the Kia EV6, with the 235/55R19 size used by the challenge car throughout the trial.
The new Hyundai Ioniq 6 will roll off factory lines on Nexen Tire’s all-season N’fera AU7 EV and the N’fera Sport EV. The latest electric car from Hyndai boasts a range potential of more than 500km per charge. It contains a range of lighting technologies that communicate with vehicles and people, including dual-colour ambient mood lamps, flexible and comfortable indoor spaces, and interactive pixel lights. It uses a 400V/800V multi-fast charging system and V2L functionality in addition to offering dynamic driving performance, cutting-edge safety and convenience specifications.
In the run-up to the launch of its first Vredestein tyre developed specifically for electric vehicles (EV), Apollo Tyres asked 1,000 motorists if they were aware that such products even exist. The response wasn’t encouraging, with the results suggesting that 82 per cent of UK motorists are unaware it is possible to purchase specifically-developed EV tyres.
Recreating a historic motoring exploit, the 3,600-mile challenge will visit 15 countries in just 120 hours. Kumho’s Ecsta PS71 EV tyre is an original fit on the Kia EV6 and it is this specialist product in 235/55R19 size that the challenge car will be equipped with throughout the trial.
Electric vehicles (EVs) will take over the renowned automotive destination Caffeine & Machine in Warwickshire on 10-11 September for the all-EV show, Eclectic Electric. As Caffeine & Machine’s first official brand partner, Michelin will be there too.
Sumitomo Rubber Industries (SRI) intends to raise production capacities at a number of its facilities around the world, but at the same time will remove some products from its portfolio in order to address rising costs. It will also aim for more “flexible” production allocation in response to changes in the business environment.
As part of an ongoing partnership with Škoda, Bridgestone has developed tyres featuring its Enliten technology for the all-electric Škoda Enyaq iV. Bridgestone is supplying Turanza Eco tyres for the SUV in either size 235/55 R19 101T; 235/50 R20 100T (front axle or all-round) and 255/45 R20 101T (rear); or for cars delivered with 21-inch rims, 235/45 R21 101T XL (front or all-round) and 255/40 R21 102T XL (rear). The tyre maker also offers Škoda an 18-inch tyre that is not fitted to UK-spec models.
When Prinx Chengshan presented its flagship Prinx tyre brand at The Tire Cologne in May, talk was of its introduction in European markets later in 2022. The tyre maker also displayed a pair of Prinx tyres scheduled for launch in China ahead of the brand’s arrival here. These tyres have now hit the market in the People’s Republic and signal the brand’s repositioning as a range “born for the electric age.” Prinx Chengshan will show them off the China International Tire & Wheel Fair in Qingdao this week.
Ernie Journeys; Unsplash
Kumho
Nexen