In addition to the sustainability logo that we reported last month, the sidewalls of selected Pirelli tyres feature yet another new symbol. This is an elongated R that resembles the Pirelli P with two small arrows underneath, and it stands for the manufacturer’s RunForward technology.
Tyre changer and wheel balancer specialist ISN Garage Assist recently introduced a new standard for tyre fitting technology to ensure that those investing in a piece of equipment get what they pay for. ARC (Absolute Run-Flat Compatibility) is a test for performance and capability based on the tyres that technicians commonly regard as the toughest to handle.
Exclusive tyre partner Pirelli has made the most of its presence at Goodwood Festival of Speed, presenting three additions to the P Zero family. In addition to the recently unveiled P Zero Trofeo RS and the P Zero R, a supercar tyre adapted for everyday use, Pirelli showed the P Zero E, a UHP tyre that launches with an EU label triple A rating in every size.
Safer, more comfortable, better performance. These three qualities are what Pirelli says motorists can now expect from its Scorpion range of SUV tyres following the range’s recent revamp, which the tyre maker undertook in response to forecasted global growth in SUV sales over the next few years.
It is the ‘MO’ label on the sidewall that Hankook Tire is particularly proud of. The two letters stand for ‘Mercedes Original’, and only tyres that match strict quality criteria are approved as original equipment for Mercedes-Benz vehicles. These letters appear on the sides of three Hankook tyre models that Mercedes-Benz fits on the S-Class, continuing a supply arrangement that began almost a decade ago.
Tyron’s reports that its Runflat MultiBands have been selected to keep the fast pursuit vehicles of the Cumbria Constabulary and Cheshire Constabulary police safe in the event of a tyre blow-out at speed. The selection will see Tyron MultiBands rolled out to in-service pursuit vehicles that previously had run-flat tyres fitted.
Pirelli may not have invented the run-flat tyre – these have been around in various forms since the 1930s – but it is now 20 years since the Italian manufacturer brought its first run-flats to market. The road tyres that Pirelli launched in 2001 drew upon lessons learned from rallying, the setting where the tyre maker tried and tested this technology for the first time. Driving on tyres containing a reinforced structure enabled rally cars to keep moving in the event of a puncture, saving precious minutes during intense competition.
Bridgestone claims its Turanza T005 is reinventing the wheel after the tyre received critical acclaim in the year or so since it’s launch.
In 2018, the world’s number largest tyre and rubber company introduced its Turanza T005 touring tyre to the market, delivering wet performance and fuel economy, combined with high mileage, to give drivers full control in challenging daily situations.
In addition to its latest line-up of Bridgestone and Firestone tyres, Bridgestone intends to display its latest tech solutions at the 68th annual International Motor Show (IAA). The company states that the following solutions will be showcased at the Frankfurt fair in September:
Bridgestone’s car tyre business is currently pushing boundaries to offer services beyond replacement tyres to motorists. The most obvious way the manufacturer is approaching this is in the application of its DriveGuard run-flat technology beyond the original line of DriveGuard car tyres. The tyre manufacturer has added DriveGuard RFT to its Turanza, Blizzak and Weather Control lines, extending the availability of the technology to an even greater breadth of the market.
As of November, Bridgestone will make its proprietary DriveGuard RFT (run-flat technology) available on its main product lines for the aftermarket. Specifically, the Turanza, Blizzak and Weather Control tyre ranges will gain DriveGuard fitments.
To-date, a total of 516 Pirelli run-flat tyres have been homologated for original equipment fitment, the tyre maker reports. This tally includes 326 homologations for summer tyres, 100 for winter tyres, and 90 for all-season tyres.
Bridgestone tyres have been approved as original equipment on the latest Mercedes A-Class. The Turanza T005 is the tyre of choice, and Bridgestone Europe reports it will supply Mercedes-Benz with dimensions to fit the full 17- to 19-inch high-rim range, including 17- and 18-inch tyres with run-flat technology.
Already a market leader in the agricultural tyre segment in the North Africa, Middle East and Eastern Europe, Turkish tyre manufacturer Petlas is now aiming to increase its passenger car and truck tyre sales figures in the years to come. To this end, the firm reports that it made a series of investments in its passenger car tyre production during 2017.
Petlas Tire Corp has expanded its run-flat tyre range to include szies: 245/50 R18, 275/45 R18, 215/40 R18, 225/40 R18, 225/40 R19, 245/40 R20, 255/40 R18, 275/40 R18, 225/35 R19, 225/35 R20, 245/35 R18, 245/35 R19, 245/35 R20, 255/35 R18, 275/35 R18, 275/35 R19, 275/35 R20, 285/35 R18, 285/35 R19, 245/30 R19, 255/30 R20, 285/30 R19 and 285/30 R20. According to the Turkey-based tyre manufacturer, the new sizes can be found in the firm’s car tyres and SUV tyre ranges.
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