Yeovil-based Ariel Motor Company is probably best-known for the hair-raising fun associated with its Ariel Atom and Nomad. However, last August the company entered supercar territory with the launch of the 1180 bhp electric-powered Hipercar.
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.
Bridgestone reports that it has applied its electric mobility expertise to the development of bespoke tyres for the BMW iX, the company’s first all-electric vehicle since its pioneering BMW i3. According to the tyremaker, the ultra-low rolling resistance Bridgestone Alenza tyres feature a host of cutting-edge technologies.
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.
Omni United is moving towards a more sustainable future via sustainable driving and carbon neutral manufacturing which it began in 2013 with its Radar Tyre brand. Now, the company is introducing a two-pronged electric vehicle (EV) tyre strategy. The first phase will see the development of EV-compatible tyre ranges while the second phase will result in a dedicated speciality EV tyre line-up.
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.
At the end of September Hankook announced that, as of next season, it will be the exclusive technology partner and tyre supplier of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. The announcement was made at an event in The Swarovski Crystal Worlds in Austria on 27 September, where Tyres & Accessories was present to witness Hankook being officially presented with the newly developed Hankook iON race tyres.
Having introduced its iON range of electric vehicle tyres – along with the company’s philosophy of specialist tyres for electric vehicle applications – back in May, Hankook has now formally introduced its iON winter tyre line, which is available in a range of 18 to 22 inch sizes. Following on from the iON evo, Hankook’s summer tyre, the new Hankook iON winter is the second member of the new, global “iON” tyre family for premium electric vehicles.
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.
After picking the brains of 2,000 motorists in a YouGov commissioned survey, Bridgestone discovered that just eight per cent of respondents know the differences between tyres tailored for electric vehicles (EVs) and standard tyres. It has thus decided to educate motorists on the benefits – including financial – of these specialised tyres.
Mercedes-Benz AG has selected Bridgestone as the tyre development partner for its Mercedes-Benz Vision EQXX. The outcome? Bridgestone engineers collaborated with Mercedes-Benz to create custom-designed tyres to contribute to a real-world range of 1,000km on a single charge. According to Bridgestone, collaboration on this project “sets the stage for the future of EV tyres and is underpinned by a shared EV-ready vision between the companies.”
Ariel
Ernie Journeys; Unsplash
Vredestein
Bridgestone; BMW
Hankook
Hankook
Kumho
Nexen
Bridgestone