Falken

The electric car market has been extremely dynamic for years now, with new, specialist manufacturers rubbing shoulders with EV editions of familiar shapes from the world’s biggest auto brands. With the needs of fully electric cars different in a few ways to internal combustion engine (ICE) powered cars, tyre manufacturers have been working out their product strategies for the segment, many in conjunction with the car makers, who need the product to be suitable enough for their new models to roll off production lines and into customers’ hands.

More and more of us are driving vehicles that at least look like they could tackle trails and off-road conditions. Of course, many cross-over utility vehicles – or CUVs – as they are known are not “true” Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) let alone mud-plugging 4x4s. However, that trend towards larger cars with higher seating positions has made a massive impact on the market and – in turn – the tyres people are buying are changing too.

The pinnacle of the performance tyre spectrum belongs to the Supersports or ultra-ultra-high performance (UUHP) tyre. While fully road legal, these tyres are meticulously engineered to deliver unparalleled performance on the track. Yet their primary mission is to offer a dynamic and safe driving experience for the world's most powerful cars, excelling in both wet and dry conditions. WhatTyre has spotlighted six Supersports tyres that epitomise excellence in this demanding category.

Budget brands now account for 34 per cent of 17-inch and larger rim diameter tyre purchases in the UK. However, cheaper options may not always offer the best handling and stopping power. Choosing the right tyre is crucial for safety and performance. Numerous UHP tyres are available in the UK, with significant performance differences. WhatTyre aims to help drivers “find the best tyres for you.” We therefore relied on WhatTyre’s unique TyreScore comparison algorithm for selecting award nominees.

Approximately 35 million passenger car tyres are sold annually in the UK, though figures vary depending on the sources and metrics considered. Despite the steady growth in the all-season tyre segment, most of these 35 million are summer tyres, which, despite their name and design for optimal performance in warmer conditions, are typically used year-round. Therefore, selecting tyres that provide excellent performance come rain, hail or shine, along with durability and efficiency, is essential. Both the European tyre label and various magazine and association tests are a useful aid for tyre buyers in this regard.

Audi's latest S3 model now comes with a new option for tyre enthusiasts: the Falken Azenis RS820, a super-ultra high-performance (SUHP) tyre. This is the first new vehicle model to roll off the factory line equipped with this freshly-launched tyre.

Falken has unveiled its newest tyre, the Ziex ZE320, which features sustainable rice husk silica in its production. This model replaces the current Falken Ziex ZE310 Ecorun tyre and promises improved performance and greater environmental friendliness, according to the company. The initial twelve sizes of the new tyre will arrive in Europe by early summer 2024, with an additional 48 dimensions following by spring 2025.

Falken's has expanded the sizes available in its latest all-season and winter tyre ranges. The brand has added the Euroall Season AS220 Pro all-season tyre to its range in 45 sizes, and increased the available sizes of its Eurowinter HS02 and HS02 Pro winter tyres, available now in 45 and 74 sizes respectively.

The Falken Wildpeak R/T01 rugged terrain tyre is coming. The brand's new flagship 4x4 tyre for demanding off-road applications means Falken now has a tyre for every off-road application. The R/T01 was "engineered with adventure in mind,” the company said. Its tread design and structure increase traction in the most difficult conditions. The new tread blends the key attributes of Falken’s existing All-Terrain (A/T) and Mud-Terrain (M/T) Wildpeak products. This helps the tyre achieve an optimised combination of traction, durability, and longevity for all-wheel drive vehicles in extreme applications. Falken says the tyre should benefit the construction, forestry, agricultural and expedition sectors, as well as off-road enthusiasts and those who like to travel off the beaten path.