Tag: tyre testing
Michelin: Wet grip testing at 1.6mm will provide greater transparency
The debate over how much tread depth is sufficient and recommendable has been going on for years. While some tyre makers and motoring groups support changing the legal minimum tread depth to 3mm as a move towards greater peace of mind, Michelin has been a vocal advocate of not only keeping 1.6mm the legal minimum but of actually using tyres right down to this tread depth. It is also one of a growing number of parties calling for legislation that informs consumers how tyres perform when worn. Earlier this month, Michelin shared the latest developments in the quest for ‘Long Lasting Performance’.
Extreme E: Swedish racing driver testing rally tyres for Continental
Swedish touring car racer Mikaela Åhlin-Kottulinsky has been selected to test the new tyres Continental is developing for the Extreme E rally series. Åhlin-Kottulinsky, the first and to-date only woman to win a race in the TCR Scandinavia Touring Car Championship, will lend her talents towards the development of tyres for what Continental calls “the most extreme racing series the world has ever seen.”
Continental celebrates 50 years of tyre tests with driverless vehicles
Driverless cars? Continental had those 50 years ago…It is exactly half a century today since the tyre maker demonstrated its first electronically controlled driverless car at its Contidrom facility in Germany. In those days a car cruising the Contidrom circuit without someone behind the wheel was a novel sight, to say the least, and Continental recalls that more than 400 newspapers, magazines, radio stations and television channels reported on the events of 11 September 1968.
Test World opening indoor wet and dry asphalt test tracks
Next month, Test World will open its new temperature-controlled wet and dry asphalt indoor tracks at its facility near Ivalo, Finland. These new tracks complement the new and extended snow and ice indoor tracks that opened in April.
Bridgestone aiming for driver-free tyre noise testing
Together with autonomous driving specialist ZMP Inc., Bridgestone Corporation has launched a development project to utilise automated driving technology in tyre noise tests. By removing the driver from the process, the Japanese firms aim to increase the accuracy and efficiency of this particular tyre test.
Tread updates web site with new services
After seven years of development Tread Ltd has published an updated website, reflecting “the expanding number of services the firm offers”. “In addition to subjective and objective test driver support, our fleet of test vehicles has just been updated to reflect the current OEM and REM/Magazine trends for tyre development and fitments using the latest test cars,” the company explained in a statement, adding the following vehicles are now included in its test fleet:
Yokohama opens indoor winter tyre test facility
With the opening of a new indoor facility for testing winter tyres, Yokohama Rubber says it can improve the accuracy of its test data and thus develop more advanced technologies. The indoor test centre is located at Yokohama Rubber’s Tire Test Center of Hokkaido (TTCH) facility in Asahikawa City, Japan, and began testing tyres on 5 January ahead of its official inauguration on 30 January.
Smithers runs Chinese tyre industry training
Rubber, plastics and composites testing specialist Smithers Rapra recently ran training at the Tire Technology Training Course, which was organized by The Rubber Institute of Chemical Industry and Engineering Society of China along with the Beijing University of Chemical Technology.
Davanti DX390 receives TÜV SÜD certification
Davanti Tyres has been awarded TÜV SÜD accreditation for its DX390 high performance car tyre. The company states that the accolade helps to set Davanti aside as a trusted brand, reinforcing its commitment to safety, reliability, and durability. The DX390 was tested against several mid-range competitors; in gaining the TÜV seal the tyre’s weighted outcome outperformed all tested rivals in most safety-relevant criteria, like wet and dry braking. Davanti added that its close cooperation with the testing organisation during the testing process has also led to significant improvements in quality and performance.
Technotrac facility helps Hankook reduce costs, increase efficiency of winter testing
Hankook opened its Technotrac winter tyre testing facility in Ivalo, Finland early in 2017. With facilities ready for both commercial vehicle testing and future expansion, the facility will help the manufacturer push forward its winter and all-season ranges for the European and global markets. Tyres & Accessories spoke to vice president Klaus Krause, head of the Europe Technical Center about its European Technotrac winter testing facility and the segment in general.
Membat shares results of further TÜV SÜD tests
Following on from the TÜV SÜD testing carried out for Membat last year, the tyre brand commissioned the testing and certification specialist to once again compare Membat tyres against rival products. This time the Membat Passion was tested in size 205/55 R16 91 V against B segment brand products manufactured by Michelin and Continental (Membat hasn’t disclosed the specific brand or product family). Membat comments that “the results speak for themselves.”
Millbrook expanding Test World facilities in Finland
Millbrook Group is to expand its Test World site in Finland, which will see it become Europe’s leading location for tyre testing. The project will increase the capacity for testing on natural snow and ice, and introduce wet and dry braking, aquaplaning and split friction surfaces. News of the expansion project was announced on 12 June.
Horiba Mira gives test facilities an electric boost
Horiba Mira has improved its capabilities in Electromagnetic Compatibility testing, investing in a range of new components to add to its world-class facilities. As part of the £0.5m investment, Horiba Mira has acquired a range of products which support the latest developments in plug-in vehicle technology.
Tyre makers, Smithers Rapra partner on new test equipment
Six tyre manufacturers – Bridgestone Americas, Continental Tire, Cooper Tire & Rubber, Goodyear Tire & Rubber, Hankook Tire and Michelin North America – and independent, third party laboratory Smithers Rapra have announced a testing partnership to introduce a new MTS Flat-Trac CT Plus tyre test system at the Smithers Tire and Wheel Test Center in Ravenna, Ohio.
Goodyear opens Luxembourg Tire Test Laboratory
Goodyear has opened its new Tire Test Laboratory at its Innovation Center in Luxembourg. The manufacturer said it will measure tyre development performance, conduct regulatory and homologation tests, and perform quality control at the state-of-the art facility. The lab includes the latest technology for testing car, light truck and commercial truck tyres.