ERJ Tire Tracker: May/June

Latest news on fitments, testing and related innovations from the global tire industry:

Continental company General Tire (GT) is to equip Mercedes' new AMG G63, the sports version of the Mercedes-Benz G-Class, with OE tires. This ultra-high-performance SUV from the AMG tuner forge "will be exclusively fitted with 20-inch General Tire Grabber HTS60 summer tires from the factory." The summer tire, added GT, is designed to ensure maximum safety, both on and off the road. Features include a "robust" rubber compound and 'bump' & noise insulating padding under the tread.

Toyo Tire Corp. has announced that its Open Country A/T III has been selected as OE for the all-new Lexus GX – on sale in North America and elsewhere since April. The vehicle is designed for diverse driving scenarios, from rugged terrains to urban streets. Toyo is supplying “exclusive” all-terrain tires developed using proprietary ‘T-Mode design technology’ to support driving in poor off-road conditions while reducing noise during on-road driving. The tire maker also applied its own aerodynamic simulation technology to reduce air resistance produced as tires rotate, thus enhancing fuel efficiency.

JK Tyre & Industries on 21 June introduced an “advanced” range of truck & bus radial tires with four new variants: Jetway JUM XM, Jetway JUC XM, Jetsteel JDC XD, and the “revolutionary” Jetway JUXe for electric buses. The products are said to combine “superior performance, economic benefits, and environmental responsibility.” JK said its R&D centre in Mysuru and “state-of-the-art manufacturing processes have played a crucial role in the development of these products.” The JUXe tire, which is said to feature low rolling-resistance and low-noise characteristics is to be deployed on TATA Motors' EV buses in India.

Continental has acquired worldwide approval to equip the Chevrolet Traverse 2024 model, with tires ranging 20- and 22-inch sizes. The German tire maker will supply the SUV with CrossContact LX20 tires, which are claimed to offer “good handling characteristics even off-road” and “high level of safety” due to short braking distances.

Kumho Tire is intensifying focus on new energy tires as part of its growth strategy. The tire maker held a launch conference for its EnnoV tire series in Shanghai 28 May, introducing “tires carefully developed for new energy vehicles.” Read more

Pirelli and the BMW Group have worked together to unveil new 20-inch P Zero Winter 2 tires for the BMW 7 Series, focusing on range capabilities by lowering rolling resistance. Compared to summer tires, winter tires impact the car’s range due to a higher rolling resistance as their compounds and tread pattern are designed to offer higher grip. The new 20-inch development, Pirelli said, “compensates for these disadvantages resulting in an extended range up to 50km...[compared to] a standard winter tire.” The lower rolling resistance, the tire maker added, has been achieved through “significant breakthroughs, particularly in the areas of tread pattern and tread compound.”

The Tire Cologne 2024: Organiser KoelnMesse has reported a “very good result” for this year's expo: with 430 exhibitors from 35 countries and around 14,400 participants from 109 countries attending. Around 65% of visitors came from abroad, mostly from Italy, The Netherlands, The UK and France, but also increasingly from eastern Europe, such as Poland and Romania. Read more

Bridgestone has launched the EV-ready Turanza All Season 6 Enliten tire with DriveGuard run-flat technology, designed to enable vehicles to be driven for 80km at up to 80km/h after a puncture. According to the group, its own commissioned TÜV SÜD tests found that the new tire “offers best-in-class wet braking and excellent braking performance in dry and snowy conditions.” Developed and manufactured in Europe, the tire is also stated to provide 20% better mileage than its predecessor. Enliten technology provides “maximum safety and outstanding performance for drivers, while improving the sustainability characteristics.” The tire will be available in 20 sizes from 16 to 19 inches.

The Tire Cologne 2024 – At this week’s expo, ZC Rubber launched its latest electric vehicle (EV) tire lineup, including the Westlake ZuperAce EV. The tire features Zuper-Silent technology, utilising noise-absorbing foam, 3D noise control sound bolts, and a special anechoic chamber design to effectively reduce tire noise. It also employs ‘BPOT’ technology, said to ensure “excellent handling with a 5% larger contact area at high speeds compared to conventional tires.” A ‘hybrid formula’ provides “optimised grip and stability,” while the ‘hybrid silane’ tread compound, reduces rolling resistance and increasing mileage by 10%. More to follow…

Sumitomo Rubber Industries is releasing a new studless winter tire for small trucks and vans on 1 Aug. The Winter Maxx LV01 from the Dunlop brand features a newly developed "interlocking sipe," a fine groove engraved on the tire surface that suppresses skidding. In addition, the design increases the contact area, “significantly improving performance on snow and ice" and extends life of tire. The tire was developed in response to higher safety requirements of business operators, while offering cost savings.

The Tire Cologne 2024: Pirelli has unveiled Pirelli P Zero Winter 2, a winter tire for high-performance cars, which the tire maker says enjoys “the highest classification on the European label for wet grip in all sizes.” The tire is also claimed to be the “first” winter tire with an A rating for rolling resistance. The range includes 13 sizes, all equipped with Elect technology and made with over 50% bio-based or recycled materials. The Pirelli stand also features a tire equipped with Pirelli “cyber track adrenaline technology” which is designed for track day enthusiasts who benefit from a "virtual assistant" in the form of an app powered by sensors inside the tires.

Also at The Tire Cologne 2024: Hankook premiered the new e-Smart City AU56, a EV tire developed for bus companies and transport authorities. The tire is designed to meet the requirements of electric buses through “low rolling resistance, high load capacity and excellent grip.” It enables a higher range per battery charge and has been optimised to achieve a higher weight rating. 

The Tire Cologne 2024: In Cologne, Hankook unveiled the iON GT, a summer tire developed for battery-powered city cars and saloons with “strong sustainability credentials”. The tire is also available in iON GT SUV for compact SUVs. The tire, according to Hankook, has achieved “triple A” rating for rolling resistance, wet grip and noise comfort on the EU tire label. The ISCC+ certified tire features bio-based silica and sustainable PET textile cord from plastic waste. It also includes plant-based oils and resin, bio-circular synthetic rubber from bio-circular feedstocks as well as circular carbon black from tire pyrolysis oil and rCB from end-of-life tires.

Apollo Tyres has expanded Vredestein’s range of tires for premium and luxury SUVs in India. The company has introduced Vredestein Pinza HT (highway terrain) for the premium SUVs in the country while expanding the existing Vredestein Ultrac Vorti i range with two new sizes 21 and 22 inches. This, Apollo said, will make the ultra ultra-high performance Ultrac Vorti i the “first tires” to be produced in India in such sizes.

Yokohama Rubber Co. is supplying its Geolander X-CV tires as OE for Mazda’s new CX-70 crossover SUV, launched in North America in April. The tire was “developed to meet the mud and snow standard for high-performance crossover SUVs, which have increasingly focused on high-speed performance and manoeuvrability in recent years.” In addition to contributing to superior handling performance and a comfortable ride, the tire also achieves low rolling resistance. The tires were developed using specialised tuning to match the tread pattern, profile, and tire structure to the vehicle characteristics, via YRC’s proprietary HAICoLab, AI-based development framework.

Continental’s RDT-Master off-the-road (OTR) tire has been approved for use as OE on Caterpillar’s off-highway truck machine models globally and indicated in the price lists. Customers can, therefore, specify their off-highway truck models with RDT-Master tires ex works. The tire is designed to meet the rigorous demands of construction and mining operations, said Conti, adding that “this endorsement marks a pivotal milestone” for its tires in the earthmoving segment. The RDT-Master features Bluetooth-enabled sensor terchnology for digital tire management.

Bridgestone was named as one of General Motors' top global suppliers of 2023 - its ninth consecutive and 22nd overall recognition for this award. The award, it noted partly reflects the development of new tire technologies for GM, including fitments for the Chevrolet Blazer EV and Chevrolet Blazer EV Police Pursuit vehicles. Bridgestone was one of 86 companies recognised across the car maker’s network of more than 20,000 suppliers.

Hankook Tire has started series production of ISCC+ certified electric vehicle (EV) summer tires at its manufacturing plant in Racalmas, Hungary. The iON evo features 45% sustainable material content*, and is being supplied as OE for the updated Porsche Taycan electric sports car. According to Hankook's 28 May announcement, the iON evo is the first tire in the premium vehicle manufacturer's OE range with ISCC+ certification.  Read more

Italian luxury car maker Maserati has selected Bridgestone to develop bespoke 20’’ tires for its first all-electric SUV, the Grecale Folgore. The award follows fitments for the Maserati MC20 supercar and Grecale. Bridgestone said it "responded" with custom-developed Potenza Sport Enliten UHP tires, said to provide superior handling performance in challenging conditions on both dry and wet surfaces. Features also include "very low rolling resistance – EU Label A-grade – to extend the new SUV’s 500km range. Bridgestone virtual tire development technology combined with Maserati’s driving simulator were used to create and test the tire in a digital environment.

The Tire Cologne 2024: At the trade fair (4-6 June), Falken said it will highlight its broadest range ever, catering for every season. Displays will range “from energy-efficient EV tires to gripping off-road rubber, inspiring UUHP and no-nonsense commercial vehicle patterns.” Highlights will include its all-new motorsport/track day targeted UUHP Azenis RS820, approved for speeds of up to 300km/h, and new enhanced sustainability ZIEX ZE320 tire, produced in Turkey. Falken will also present its newest winter pattern, latest all-season offering and ‘extreme’ winter products.

Japan: Bridgestone has launched a new winter van tire equipped with Enliten technology. The Bridgestone Duravis Van Winter is an EV-ready light truck tire claimed to provide “best-in-class mileage” and a 13% rolling resistance reduction compared to its predecessor. Enliten technology, said Bridgestone, provides the tire with “significant longevity improvements without compromising performance on snow, ice, wet or dry.” 

US space agency NASA has awarded a lunar terrain vehicle feasibility project to the Moon Racer team, of which Michelin is a member. The study, for phase 1 of the Artemis moon landing project, aims to design a lunar vehicle capable of operating in extreme conditions on the moon for 10 years. Alongside Michelin, the team headed by Intuitive Machines also includes AVL, Boeing and Northrop Grumman.  Read more

The Tire Cologne 2024: Italy-based tire maker Pirelli will highlight its latest progress in making sustainable tires including the P Zero E summer tire, to be unveiled at the expo, 4-6 June in Cologne, Germany. The tire features the ‘run-forward' technology which allows a car to be driven for up to 40km at 80 km/h in case of punctures. The tire is said to offer enhanced low rolling-resistance and optimal driving. The P Zero E is made of more than 55% bio-based and recycled materials, with the entire range having been awarded a ‘triple A rating’ on the EU tire label.

The Tire Cologne 2024: China’s No. 1 tire maker ZC Rubber is set to present its EV-specific tires at the upcoming expo, 4-6 June in Cologne, Germany. The tires will be the ‘upgraded versions’ of two flagship passenger car tires Westlake ZuperAce Z-007 and the Goodride Solmax 1, both launched in 2022. The tires feature “innovative EV-specific tread compound technology”, which ZC said have been optimised for reduced rolling resistance and improved performance.

The Tire Cologne 2024: At the international tire trade fair, Linglong Tire will premier its ‘Grip Master Winter’ tires, the successor to its Green-Max Winter UHP and Green-Max Winter HP. The Chinese tire maker will also present “a sustainable concept tire” that is scheduled to be 'partly introduced' into the company's product portfolio.

Japan: Yokohama Rubber Co. is supplying its Yokohama RY53 tires as OE to Toyota Motor for use on the automaker’s new pickup truck, the Hilux Champ, sales of which were launched in Asia in November last year. The tire is intended for light trucks and has “excellent wear resistance and fuel efficiency”, according to YRC. The tires supplied to Hilux Champ have a “specially tuned” profile to achieve high steering stability and comfort.

Germany: Michelin is supplying three summer, winter and all-season tire ranges to Porsche for fitment on the new all-electric Porsche Macan, launched earlier this year. The tires include summer tire Michelin Pilot Sport EV NE0, specially developed for the Macan, featuring an internal structure and rubber that offer “perfect drivability” while withstanding high power. The tire offers optimised rolling resistance and “maximum grip on wet and dry surfaces”. Winter tire Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV NE0 is designed to deliver “high safety levels” and features siped rubber blocks in the tread to offer better drivability and controlled stopping distances. Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 4 NE0 all-season tire boasts performance that “offers the best compromise between summer and winter tires.”

Japan: Yokohama Rubber Co. is supplying its “Advan Sport V107” tires as OE on the BMW X7 sports activity vehicle (SAV) and XM plug-in-hybrid SAV. Jointly developed with BMW, the UHP tires employ a “specially tuned compound to achieve both acceleration sound performance and handling stability, as well as high dry performance and wear resistance performance.” Another feature is YRC's proprietary ‘mound profile’ technology, said to ensure a more uniform contact patch.

Italy: Pirelli and Lamborghini have jointly created 21-inch, 22-inch, and 23-inch P Zero tires, as well as a 22-inch Scorpion Winter 2 tire, for the new Urus SE: the first plug-in hybrid variant of Lamborghini’s SUV. The combined development programme involved more than 300kph of testing at the Nardò circuit in Italy as well as in the Arctic Circle in -30°. The construction, tread pattern, and compounds of the tires are optimised to withstand the high torque demands of the Urus SE, as well as to support its weight, reduce road noise, and enhance battery life.

France: Michelin has unveiled the Pilot ‘general aviation’ tire, which is said to provide “increased performance on takeoff, landing and longevity”. The tire has “a very significant tread depth, which improves and extends the life of the tire,” while use of a “latest generation nylon” enhances endurance and uniformity of wear. The tread depth is up to 21% greater than that of “the best competing tire”.

China: Sailun is supplying its Erange Performance E01+ tires, equipped with EcoPoint3 technology, as an OE fitment for the BYD Yuan Plus. Provided in sizes 215/60R17 and 215/55R18, the tires are specifically designed for mainstream new energy vehicles in the mid-to-high end market. The tires are claimed to enhance driving experience for new energy vehicle owners by meeting needs such as increased range, wear resistance, and reduced noise.

Japan: Yokohama Rubber Co. is supplying its Geolandar A/T G015 tires as OE to Toyota Motor for use on the new Crown Crossover RS “Landscape”. The new special edition of Crown Crossover was launched in Japan in April and is fitted with the tire in size 245/60R18 109H. The Geolandar A/T G015 is an all-terrain tire for SUVs and is claimed to deliver “superb drivability and durability in off-road conditions and a comfortable, quiet ride on city streets.”

Germany: Dunlop has unveiled its latest all-season tire - Dunlop All Season 2 – targeting the growing value segment. The market segment, according to Dunlop, is set for an estimated growth of 2% to 3% each year between 2023 and 2028. The ‘next-gen’ tire is suitable for a range of vehicles including city cars and SUVs. The supply of the tires in Europe began in February, and the tire will be gradually available during 2024 in 59 SKUs between 14 and 19 inches.

Italy: Pirelli’s Cinturato ‘All Season SF3’ tire has been selected “the best all-season tire” by two major trade magazines, Germany’s Auto Bild Sportscars and Italy’s alVolante. According to the Italian tire maker, the tire was named “the safest both in dry and wet conditions” by the magazines. In Auto Bild Sportscars’ comparative test on wet asphalt, the Cinturato All Season SF3 proved to be "exemplary" in aquaplaning resistance and handling, both on straight and when cornering. The Italian magazine alVolante said the tire “excels on wet and in dry braking”.

Germany: Continental and Brabus have tested the new MaxContact MC7 sports tire on the supercar Brabus 750 Bodo Buschmann Edition "1 of 25". The tire, which was specially developed for the Asia-Pacific region (APAC), showed it was capable of “maximum control and steering precision with a torque of up to 900 Nm,” Continental said. The new tire is claimed to combine “maximum control with dynamic steering precision”, helped by Continental’s “performance-oriented Sport+ technology”. The tire features macroblock structure for cornering stability and ReFlex compound which provides “adaptability and firm grip on the road.”

UK: UK tire supplier Fuller Tyres has extended its 14-year partnership with Continental, to now include off-road tires. Continental initially supplied its car tires to Fuller Tyres for rental fleets at London’s Heathrow and Gatwick airports. The retailer’s business has now grown to supply and fitment business for consumer and commercial vehicles across the UK. The latest OTR development follows a ‘significant rise’ in demand over the last decade.

Italy: Pirelli has expanded its Elect EV-tire range with two new P Zero tires for the Porsche Taycan. Pirelli P Zero R and P Zero Trofeo RS have been chosen by Porsche for the restyling of the Taycan and will be the only tires available on the Taycan Turbo GT, the sportiest variant of the range. P Zero R is designed for supercars’ everyday driving, while P Zero Trofeo RS is “a street-legal semi-slick tire”. Both tires were launched earlier this year and have been specifically adapted, in collaboration with the German carmaker, to enhance the sportiness and efficiency of the vehicle. The homologation of P Zero Trofeo RS will also mark the debut of Pirelli’s Elect technology on track.

South Korea: Nexen Tire has won the main prize in the product design category at the German ‘Red Dot Design Award 2024’, the Korean tire maker announced 11 April. The winning tire – 'N'Fera Sports S' – is a high-performance tire developed for dynamic high-speed driving and provides “excellent high-speed durability, handling, and braking performance.” The design of the tire involved ‘3+1’ grooves, which Nexen says optimises performance balance between dry and wet roads and preent hydroplaning.

India: Bridgestone India on 10 April launched the TURANZA 6i passenger vehicle tire, the result it said of an expansion in the passenger radial business in India. Developed for Indian roads, the tire is claimed to provide “premium comfort ride experience, with superior fuel efficiency and wear life, making it a well-rounded premium offering.” Sizes range from 14” to 20”. Said to show Bridgestone’s commitment to the Indian government’s “Make in India” initiative, the tire also introduces the group’s Enliten technology to Indian consumers.

UK: A UK outdoor estate infrastructure company Millstream Estate Services has turned to the airless Michelin X Tweel Turf to eliminate the growing number of punctures across its grass cutting fleet. The business has the tire and wheel combination running on five of its six Kubota ZD 1211 zero-turn mowers, with plans to upgrade the remaining machine in the near future. The move is intended to bring down the risk and downtime associated with punctures and damage impact on pneumatic tires.

Czech Republic: Nexen Tire will supply its 'N'Fera Sports' tires as an OE fitment on the 11th generation of Mercedes-Benz 'E-Class'. The Korean tire maker will supply the ‘premium sports tires’ to Mercedes from its European production factory, in Zatec, Czech Republic. The tire, according to Nexen, provides “excellent drainage performance through 3+1 wide grooves and features an asymmetric pattern suitable for high-speed driving”.

Japan: Bridgestone Corp. has developed a new lunar rover tire that provides improved performance over its predecessor. The second-generation tire, to beunveiled later this month, features “a soft, metal-based felt material on the tread area that contacts with the moon's surface, which is covered with fine sand called regolith.”  Read more

Italy: Pirelli has developed a specially adapted version of its P Zero tire for Hyundai's high-performance electric car the IONIQ 5 N. The tire is said to meet the dynamic requirements of the sporty EV while offering driving performance, reliability, and comfort for everyday driving. Pirelli has equipped the bespoke P Zero with its Elect technology for electric cars and plug-in hybrids. Features include: a reinforced structure and materials that withstand stresses associated with the mass of a battery-powered vehicle; use of functionalised polymers that improve wet grip and handling; and incorporation of sound-absorbing material inside the tire.

Finland: Nokian’s Hakkapeliitta 44 tires were used by the Swiss Peak Evolution project team, which recently set a world record for the highest altitude reached on an electric vehicle – at 6,510m, at the world’s highest volcano, Ojos del Salado in Chile. The tire was designed for expedition vehicles: offering enhanced grip and durability in harsh winter conditions. The Terren vehicle used was powered by two electric motors charged by a mobile solar power plant.

Japan: Yokohama Rubber Co. has started delivery of its Advan Sport V105 tires for the new Subaru Impreza for Europe, Central and South America. The UHP tire is said to offer a high level of driving performance and an optimised balance between comfort and safety: being “specially tuned to achieve both high handling stability and ride comfort, as well as reduced rolling resistance.”

Japan: Yokohama Rubber Co. is now supplying its Advan Sport V107 tires as OE tire for the recently introduced Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 4MATIC + Coupe. Jointly developed with Mercedes-AMG, the UHP tires were specially tuned for enhanced dry- and wet-performance while ensuring quietness, as well as “excellent” fuel efficiency. The ADVAN Sport V107 has been used in a number of Mercedes-AMG vehicles over recent years.

Poland: Goodyear is introducing a new line of high-performance summer tires, the D?bica Presto, to increase the Polish brand's position in the economy segment. Features include a robust construction, which is also adapted to the needs of modern SUVs, good wet grip and efficiency, and fuel-efficiency. The tires will be supplied in 22 range items, focusing on sizes from 16 to 19 inches. The introduction, said Debica, responds to “the growing popularity of the summer tire segment of local economy brands, which has grown by 3.6% over the last five years.”

Japan: Yokohama Rubber Co. is supplying its BluEarth-XT AE61 tires as OE for Toyota’s new compact SUV the Yaris Cross launched in Thailand last October. Developed specifically for use on crossover urban SUVs, the lightweight, summer tire is designed for enhanced steering stability and reduced rolling resistance. It was developed using YRC’s proprietary AI-based HAICoLab ‘framework’: using knowledge obtained by collecting actual data and virtual data generated by simulations.

/ More to follow...

ERJ Tire Tracker: February/ March