Dunlop’s versatile Geomax MX-33 tyre has been selected as original equipment on every KTM and Husqvarna 2021 motocross range. The tyre has proven its race-winning performance in top-level motocross races around the world. Dunlop signed a three-year extension to its MXGP World Championship tyre partnership in February 2020.
Volkswagen has called the launch of its ID.3 electric car the most significant since the Golf. But the launch is also a milestone for one of its tyre partners. Following the news that Bridgestone would supply its Enliten-enhanced Turanza Eco tyres to the ID.3, the world’s largest tyre manufacturer has outlined the benefits of its low rolling resistance, reduced materials technology, available on the road for the first time on the ID.3. Bridgestone says Enliten Technology “sets a new lowered standard in material use and rolling resistance to deliver significant environmental benefits,” making it ideally suited to a car launch characterised as a milestone in sustainability.
The new Porsche Taycan, the manufacturer’s first all-electric sports car, will roll of production lines on specially developed Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 ev electric vehicle tyres. Supplied in size 225/55R19 XL 103Y on the front axle and 275/45R19 XL 108Y on the rear axle the tyre will be marked “NF0” on the sidewall. Hankook says the Ventus S1 evo 3 ev includes technical refinements designed to optimise the performance of electric sports cars. The new deal extends Hankook’s relationship with Porsche, and the tyre manufacturer’s increasing interest in electric vehicles. The Korean tyre manufacturer most recently announced it is supplying the Porsche Cayenne with the SUV version of the Ventus S1 evo 3. It is also tyre partner to Kyburz’s eRod roadster. Hankook was also recently unveiled as the new tyre supplier for premier electric motorsport series Formula E.
A common concern for motorists when driving in wet conditions is aquaplaning, when the car begins to lose traction and glide on the road with the resulting loss of control, especially when on fast roads such as motorways and dual carriageways. As a result, Hella, the lighting and electronics expert, working in conjunction with renowned manufacturer Porsche, has put its wetness detection function into series production and is supporting the world premiere of ‘Porsche WET-Mode’.
Hankook Tire has been named a GM Supplier of the Year at a virtual ceremony honoring for General Motors’ 28th annual Supplier of the Year awards. GM recognised 116 of its best suppliers from 15 countries. It said these suppliers have “consistently exceeded GM’s expectations, created outstanding value or introduced innovations to the company.” The ceremony, recognising supplier contributions in the calendar year, was delayed in March by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pirelli has developed a customised version of the Diablo Supercorsa SP to meet a new challenging performance target. The tyre will be the original fitment on the most powerful and technologically advanced production Ducati ever, the Superleggera V4. The tyre is designed to help riders get the most out of the significant aerodynamic load generated by the bike’s biplane wings, which characterise the aggressive design of the new motorcycle.
Michelin has launched a new Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect road-legal track tyre. Intended for 80 per cent track use, the Connect version of the Pilot Sport Cup 2 has an integrated container for a sensor. This makes it the first 100 per cent connect-ready tyre on the market. Users need only insert the Michelin Track Connect solution sensors. This allows drivers to optimise their performance during track days. Further improvements to the tyre construction and tread have helped Michelin offer a tyre that improves on the base Pilot Sport Cup 2, itself a favourite fitment of GT racing models. The tyre will receive its world premiere as original equipment on the BMW M2 CS.
Bridgestone has confirmed that it will supply its Turanza Eco as original equipment on the VW ID.3 electric car. In doing so, the tyre manufacturer joins Continental and Goodyear in supplying rubber for the model. The Turanza Eco is equipped with Bridgestone’s Enliten technology, which reduces weight. This is a popular characteristic among auto manufacturers, especially in the electric car segment, as they seek to reduce both weight and rolling resistance from the tyres.
Kumho’s Ecowing ES31 has been selected as the standard tyre for the latest version of the Ibiza, Seat’s bestselling model. The compact hatchback will run on size 185/65R15 88H tyres. The new deal continues the South Korean tyre manufacturer’s 14-year relationship with the VW Group. Kumho began supplying OE fitments for the Volkswagen Polo in 2006.
Pirelli has launched a new high performance tyre for premium cars in European and Asian markets, the next generation Cinturato P7. The Cinturato product line has one of the longest histories in the car tyre segment. The brand, with which Pirelli claims to have “invented the concept of the sporting tyre for the road”, celebrates its 70th anniversary this year. While the P Zero line is Pirelli’s primary focus for the highest performance vehicles, the Formula 1 tyre supplier includes Cinturato branding via the series’s wet weather tyres with good reason. Such is Pirelli’s focus on the ultra-high performance sector, that the Cinturato is positioned as another tyre line for top premium segment cars. Preparations for the launch of the new P7 focused on drivers using 18” and above sizes, while Pirelli’s original equipment focus has also yielded 70-plus homologations for the tyre.
The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., announced today that it has been supplying its Advan Sport V107 to the BMW Group for use as original equipment on BMW X3 and X4 models since July 2019. The cars are being equipped with 225/60R18 104W size tyres on markets outside Japan. The Advan Sport V107 replaces the Advan Sport V105 tyres that had been an OE fitment on the two globally marketed BMW models since 2018.
Giti Tire’s GitiVanHD1 tyre has been selected as original equipment for the award-winning VW Crafter. Named Parkers’ 2020 Best Large Van of the Year, the Crafter will roll off the Wreszenia, Poland production line on the size 205/70R17 C115/113R tyre on the front and rear axles. The rear axle is a twin fitment, distributing the load across four tyres. The deal marks Giti Tire’s first European light commercial vehicle OE fitment.
Conditions encountered when working in ports operations pose particular challenges to tyres. They need to cope with significant variations in load weights, extremely tight turning circles, long periods of vehicle inactivity and sustained exposure to ultraviolet light. For this reason, Continental offers a wide range of tailor-made solutions for portside fleet operators, with pneumatic and solid tyres available for all types of vehicles used in port logistics. Crane manufacturer Kuenz has selected the Continental CraneMaster as the original equipment tyre for its new Freerider rubber tyred gantry (RTG) crane.
Family-owned construction machinery manufacturer Liebherr has approved E3/L3 and E4/L4 variants of the Continental EM Master tyre range for its wheel loader portfolio. Since early 2020, Liebherr dealers and end users have been able to order vehicles fitted with EM Master tyres direct from the Liebherr factory.
Dunlop
Bridgestone
Hankook
Hella
General Motors
Pirelli
Michelin
Kumho
Volkswagen
Yokohama Rubber
Continental