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.
Yokohama’s ultra-high performance Advan Apex V601tyre has been named a winner of an iF Design Award 2020. The tyre, which is currently available in the US market, combines new high-performance tyre technology with an asymmetrical tread pattern reminiscent of that used in the Yokohama A008, one of the its most historically important tyres. The tyre delivers superior wet performance and handling while delivering a most comfortable and quiet ride, while its high-grade micro silica tread compound delivers excellent cornering performance.
Yokohama has marked its 30th Autosport International show with a number of new partnerships in motorsport. In rallying, the tyre manufacturer has extended its support for grass roots and developing drivers in a new partnership with Harper Adams Motorsport Team.
Yokohama’s Grand Design 2020 medium-term management plan identifies the expansion of the company’s presence in the market for premium-grade car tyres as a strategic priority. Having secured awards and original equipment fitments, the Japanese manufacturer states that its range of high performance tyres is winning “a growing number of drivers and vehicle manufacturers looking to extract the maximum performance from their vehicles.”
A new member of the Yokohama Advan range is coming our way. Starting in spring, Yokohama Rubber will offer the Advan Neova AD08RS in European markets. This street sports tyre will eventually be sold in 31 sizes, ranging from 185/55R15 82V to 255/30R19 91W.
Yokohama used the 2019 Autosport International show at the NEC Birmingham to demonstrate how its long motorsport history has inspired its range of high performance tyres. Both product categories are covered by the Advan brand, which the manufacturer calls the pinnacle of its high performance offering.
Yokohama is celebrating 20 years supplying original equipment tyres to Lotus Cars with another two supply deals. The latest Lotus Elise’s Sprint 220 and Sport 220 derivatives will be fitted with Yokohama’s Advan Sport V105 as original equipment, featuring a new wider front tyre size of 195/50R16, while retaining the 225/45R17 on the rear.
Yokohama’s motorsport department is ready for another year of high-profile action on the track, as the tyre manufacturer’s UK division demonstrated at Autosport International 2019. In competitive motorsport, Yokohama will provide tyres for a series of high-profile championship and individual driver support programmes on both the race track and the rally stage.
Yokohama Rubber will participate in the Tokyo Auto Salon 2019 between 11 and 13 January at Makuhari Messe. The company will showcase its tyre and aluminium wheel products. Yokohama adds that it will have a special focus on its “hobby tyres” – those for motorsport or classic car applications. The booth will also introduce its motorsport activities, which it states make important contributions to its technology development for consumer tyres.
Yokohama Rubber is to supply Yokohama Advan racing tyres to the 65th Macau Grand Prix, which takes place in the administrative region between 15 and 18 November. This is the 35th occasion that Yokohama has served as tyre supplier – it supplied tyres to this event for 33 consecutive years until 2015 and, after Pirelli’s tyre supply in 2016, resumed support last year. Yokohama Advan tyres will be the control tyre for the event’s main race, the FIA F3 World Cup, and for the concurrently held FIA World Touring Car Cup (WTCR) race. In addition, they will be the tyre of choice for cars competing in the event’s other races.
It isn’t just Pirelli tyres that have gained original equipment approval for the new BMW X4 – Yokohama Rubber will also supply its Advan Sport V105 to the all-new model. Two sizes of Yokohama Advan tyres are available as a factory fitment on the BMW X4, 225/60R18 104W and the run-flat 245/50R19 105W fitment.
TCR UK will make its debut at Castle Combe circuit in Wiltshire on 14-15 July as it enters rounds seven and eight. The race weekend marks the halfway point in the first ever Yokohama-backed series.
The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. has announced its plans for supporting motorsport events in 2018.
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