Following amendments to the Chinese National Standards for passenger car tyres (outlined in GB 9743-2024 and GB 9744-2024 and both effective from 1 May 2025), the China Quality Certification Center (CQC) has revised the implementation rules for the Compulsory Product Certification (CCC) of motor vehicle tyres (document code CQC-C1201-2024).
Apollo Tyres Ltd will soon open “a cutting-edge outdoor tyre testing facility at Ivalo, Finland, specifically engineered for winter and all-season tyre evaluation”. According to the tyremaker, the move “marks a significant milestone in the company’s long-term commitment to innovation, testing excellence and customer-centric product development.” The test location will be fully operational by December 2025, but will immediately begin supporting product development for both existing and future tyre lines.
Pirelli conducted the second and final day of 2026 Formula 1 tyre development tests at Budapest’s Hungaroring yesterday, with Alpine and Scuderia Ferrari supporting this work. It was hot again, with air temperatures ranging between 21 and 29 °C and track temperatures reaching 53 °C, and the testing programme ran along similar lines to Tuesday’s. The tyre maker has finalised its tyre construction for next year and now has just three test sessions to aid compound development in the run-up to 2026.
Testing of Pirelli’s 2026 F1 tyres continues today at the Hungaroring, following on from yesterday’s test session involving the McLaren, Racing Bulls and Alpine teams. Today’s testing sees Alpine’s current line-up of Franco Colapinto and Pierre Gasly both driving the A525. They will be joined by Charles Leclerc at the wheel of a modified Ferrari SF-25.
A growing number of motorists rely upon the results of independent comparative tests when selecting replacement tyres, and they will soon have one more source to turn to. The Automobilclub von Deutschland (AvD) has announced its return to tyre testing following a half-century hiatus and will work together with a highly experienced tyre tester. The first AvD test, which focuses on all-season tyres, will appear soon.
Following last weekend’s British Grand Prix last weekend, Pirelli has been back on track at Silverstone for testing. The tyre maker is working to develop its 2026 F1 tyres, collaborating on this “complex and important phase of preparation for next season” with Aston Martin and Sauber.
Koala Technologies LLC (KTL) describes Te.Sense Bloom as “an affordable, reusable kit enabling OEMs and tyre manufacturers to take control of their test programmes and costs.” A non-destructive rapid tyre deflation testing, Te.Sense Bloom is compliant with FMVSS 110 and emerging EV stability test standards. The first US-specification kit has been delivered to the Transportation Research Center in Ohio for initial evaluations.
Sailun Group aims to take a majority share in the East China (Dongying) Intelligent Connected Vehicle Proving Ground, a joint venture facility it established together with vehicle manufacturer FAW Group and Dongying City. By investing an additional RMB 420 million (£45.8 million, US$57.9 million) the tyre maker will increase its stake in the venture from 37.22 per cent to 57.41 per cent, and the proving ground will become a Sailun subsidiary. The capital increase will help finance additional facilities at the site.
Pirelli’s second test session of 2025 got underway yesterday at the Barcelona-Catalunya circuit, the track located near the Spanish town of Granollers. Having already taken part in the two-day session at Paul Ricard, McLaren F1 Racing was again working with Pirelli on 2026 tyre development, joined this time by Scuderia Ferrari HP.
Concluding the first 2025 test session for its next generation of rain tyres at Circuit Paul Ricard in France, Pirelli comments that it has acquired reams of data essential to its further development work. The focus of this joint testing with the McLaren F1 Team was the wet and intermediate tyres for the 2026 season, when the regulations will stipulate the same 18-inch rim diameter as the current ones, but with a slightly smaller width and external diameter on both the front and rear axles.
Omni United has appointed Stéphane Clepkens as test manager. According to Omni United representatives, the move “reinforces the company’s mission to deliver premium products that have been rigorously tested against leading established brands…”. Stéphane will spearhead the entire tyre testing operations with both independent testing organizations and perform hands-on testing as a professional handling driver.
Smithers has invested in a state-of-the-art Simulated On-Vehicle Acceleration Testing (SOVAT) machine, which the testing, consulting, information, and compliance services firm recently debuted at its Smithers Suzhou, China laboratory. The SOVAT machine results from joint work with vehicle and tyre manufacturers and aims, says Smithers, to address “tyre testing pain points.” Specifically, it provides an indoor, repeatable alternative to on-vehicle tyre testing for treadwear, breaking in, chip and chunk and road hazard endurance, a process that can be time-consuming and inconsistent. Smithers says the SOVAT machine provides results “in a fraction of the time.”
Optional sport tyres always deliver better performance, right? Not necessarily, says auto motor und sport (ams). When the German motoring publication tested the latest Porsche Macan Turbo Electric, the model they received didn’t arrive on standard 20-inch rims, rather with 22-inch wheels fitted with “performance tyres” – an option that costs £464 in the UK.
The Maxam AgriXtra XL tyre series has received the approval of the independent testing institute of the German Agricultural Society, having performed well against five other competitor tractor tyres in a range of comparative tests. The tyre was found to help reduce soil compaction, increase fuel savings, and improve traction to deliver improved productivity. The DLG-Testzentrum Technik und Betriebsmittel of the German Agricultural Society (DLG) awarded both the Maxam AgriXtra XL VF and Standard construction Radial R-1W tyres with the much coveted “DLG Approved” quality stamp of approval.
To provide a glimpse of the product development and testing that goes into bringing a new tyre to market, Continental has released a booklet covering the subject. From its beginnings almost a century ago, the Tire Testing white paper looks at former practices, the current state-of-the-art, and also reveals Continental’s ideas on the future of testing.
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