Nankang has developed a new environmental tyre, the Eco-1, and reports it takes further the fuel-saving performance of the company’s Eco tyre range. The Eco-1 is, says the Taiwanese manufacturer, designed with a silica ‘eco-compound’ material that reduces rolling resistance 14 per cent in comparison to a conventional tyre. Despite this, Nankang states that this focus on fuel efficiency has not sacrificed or compromised the tyre’s wet grip.
The final workshop for the 'Tyre and road surface optimisation for skid resistance and further effects' coordination action, a project thankfully more commonly known by the acronym TYROSAFE, will take place in Brussels, Belgium on June 10, 2010. The workshop will feature the development, assessment and final results of the TYROSAFE project.
Toyo Tire Europe has announced the Spring 2010 European launch for two of the company’s tyre ranges. The Proxes C1S and Proxes T1 Sport are both scheduled for release in this region, thereby strengthening Toyo’s high performance offering here. The Proxes C1S is described as a UHP comfort tyre designed for powerful executive cars. Toyo states that the Proxes C1S blends a refined, quiet ride with outstanding high speed manoeuvrability plus reduced rolling resistance.
Toyo Tires has launched its latest addition to the Versado range in the US. The Versado CUV, designed for crossover vehicles, is promoted as being Toyo Tires’ “most efficient tyre yet” thanks to the low rolling resistance compound utilised. The tyre features an asymmetrical, non-directional tread, and Toyo reports the Versado’s four circumferential tread grooves contain the company’s trademarked ‘Silent Wall’ technology, which it explains as thousands of vertical serrations along the grooves’ walls that help to significantly reduce “pipe resonance”, a whistling noise audible to the human ear.
The World Expo is considered by many to be the Olympic Games of the economy, science and technology. Since the first such event, the Great Exhibition of 1851, was held at the Crystal Palace in London’s Hyde Park, the World Expo has been held more than 40 times in locations around the globe. This year’s exhibition, Expo 2010, is said to be the largest world’s fair ever, with more than 135 countries and 48 organisations already registered to take part and at least 70 million visitors expected to attend. On January 29 Michelin announced its presence as a major sponsor at the French Pavilion during the Shanghai based show.
The Secretary of State for Transport, Lord Adonis, has confirmed in Parliament that the EU tyre noise regulation (Regulation EC No 661/2009) has direct legal force and consequently does not require transposition into UK law. In response to a question from Liberal Democrat peer Lord Dykes as to what steps the Government plans in order to reduce vehicle tyre noise following the recent EU decision, Lord Adonis stated that it would implement enforcement powers and penalty provisions to ensure the regulation’s requirements can be adequately enforced in the UK.
Kraiburg Austria has launched two new treads – the K222 and KST2. Following the company’s K74 development, reportedly the first design with sufficient traction properties for the 60 series, Kraiburg has now designed an all-season tread for 70 and 80 series casings. Suitable for trucks and buses, the new all-season design is said to be able to offer extra grip in winter without comprimsing on wear or increasing rolling noise or fuel consumption. According to the company, this makes the K222 or KST2 “ideal for all applications in which the annual mileage is approximately the same as the running performance of the drive axle.”
Almost 20 years after it published the last “blue book” giving advice on how to comply with health and safety guidelines, the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) has released updated details. And what’s more “Health and Safety in Motor Vehicle Repair and Associated Industries” can be downloaded for free from the HSE website.
Apart from the Vauxhall Cavalier no longer being the nation’s favourite car, much has changed since the early nineties – the introduction of air conditioning, hybrid vehicles; and Small and Medium Area Repair Techniques (SMART) are just a few of the general changes motor vehicle repair industry. Tyre fitters specifically have the extra challenges of run-flats and increasingly large and low profile tyres to keep them occupied. As beneficial as these developments have been to the look and performance of our vehicles, the HSE points out each that of these technologies has also brought new health and safety challenges in an industry already dealing with many serious issues. In the last five years alone there have been over 8000 injuries and 25 deaths in the MVR sector.
Thanks to Renaultsport’s involvement, the Renault Megane range contains a number of desirable models. Although they’re all snappy performers ‘out of the box’, Scorpion Exhausts has given owners of the oft-admired 225 models, sold from 2004 onwards, a little more at their disposal when they bring out the ‘heavy foot’.
Bridgestone recently launched its B250 tyre in the Middle East. According to publicity material released to coincide with the launch, the B250 promises “comfortable, low-noise journey, achieves better braking, regardless of the climate, and high level of running turning, which eventually guarantees travelling in comfort and safety with extended durability.”
The European Commission has modified its interpretation of regulation 2001/43 so dealers with compliant but non-s-marked stock will be able to sell them under the following circumstances. While the new system is clearly not a self-certification system, the latest decision (made on 6 July) does offer much-needed clarification and flexibility to the market. Tyres & Accessories understands that while the other options the commission and member states discussed have been eliminated, this decision still has to pass through a “commentology” process and may not be officially ratified until September.
Interstate Tire & Rubber Co added a commercial van line to its range. The Interstate Van IVT-1 tyre is designed for the new generation vans, combining high mileage with driving comfort. According to the company, the tyre’s wide tread design increases load-capacity through its spiral carbon belt and improves grip on wet roads. The ISST low noise technology reduces noise levels and increases a durable performance for intensive commercial use, consistent wear and resistance to aquaplaning make this tyre an excellent choice.
The Interstate Van IVT-1 is available in sizes 195/70R15C and 205/65R16C. Another seven sizes in 8-ply will be available soon. The complete programme of Interstate Tires will be on show during the Equip Auto in Paris at October 13-18, 2009.
Hercules has launched the Hercules Roadtour 655, a new all-season touring radial. Available in both H- and T-rated sizes, the Roadtour 655 features a computer optimized tread for treaction and wear, and a nylon over-wrap for stability and treadlife. “The Hercules Roadtour 655 has one of our most aesthetically pleasing sidewall designs to date,” says Joshua Simpson, vice president of marketing.
The tyre features a distinct sidewall design that includes icons representing fuel efficiency, road handling, noise control, all weather performance and spiral wound nylon over-wrap, the company said. “The sidewall icons act as silent salesmen, communicating the tyres’ benefits to consumers,” said Simpson. The Roadtour 655 is being launched in 24 SKUs covering 14- to 16-inch sizes. Hercules said that H- and V-rated sizes will be added later. (Tire Review/Akron)
Semperit’s tyre, the Speed-Life represents the Continental second-brand’s affordable entry into the high performance market place. It benefits from an advanced generation silica compound, which gives the tyre better handling characteristics in the wet as well as reduced fuel consumption.
The use of offset tread blocks of varying sizes enables the contact between the tyre and the road to be staggered, this minimises the noise output to give a quiet and comfortable drive.
Every time you pad across the kitchen floor and help yourself to a refreshing drink from the fridge, you are reminded exactly how efficient – or inefficient – the large cooling appliance standing before you really is. Thanks to the EU Energy Label you can spot at a glance whether your beverage is kept at the desired temperature by a frugal “A” rated fridge or a power slurping “G”. With a sigh you walk away, drink in hand, wishing your tyres had come festooned with similarly helpful information…..
Fret no longer: On April 22 the European Parliament approved – by a large majority – a number of draft measures that will see various performance related measures, including fuel efficiency and noise levels, supplied with new tyres. The new rating system, pencilled in for implementation by late 2012, will use a scale similar to that utilised on the EU Energy Label.
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