Rally to road: 20 years of Pirelli run-flat tyres
Pirelli didn’t invent the run-flat tyre – these have been around in various forms since the 1930s – but it’s now 20 years since the Italian firm first offered drivers run-flat tyres. The roadgoing products that Pirelli launched in 2001 drew upon lessons learned from rallying, the setting where the tyre maker first tried and tested this technology. Developing tyres containing a reinforced structure enabled rally drivers to continue driving in the event of a puncture, saving precious minutes during intense competition.
New GT Radial FE2 summer tyre delivers 15% wet braking improvement
GT Radial, the major UK tyre brand of manufacturer Giti Tire, is replacing its most popular European market summer car tyre. The GT Radial FE2, which replaces the bestselling Champiro FE1, delivers 15% better wet braking than its predecessor among other improvements. The tyre will be provided in 15-18" sizes to fit major compact and family passenger cars and small and crossover SUV models. The SUV version carries an "SUV" marking on the sidewall to highlight their core market. By the end of 2021, Giti expects to have 42 different sizes in tyre retailers. In addition to the company record-breaking GT Radial Champiro FE1, the FE2 will replace a number of GT Radial FE1 City and GT Radial Savero SUV patterns.
Hankook partners Supercar Fest 2021
After the event’s successful debut in 2019 at Shelsley Walsh, event organisers will be hosting two events in 2021. Supercar Fest: The Runway will take place on 30 May at Sywell Aerodrome in Northamptonshire, which will see the supercars go head-to-head on a one kilometre runway. Meanwhile, Supercar Fest: The Hill Climb will be returning to the historic Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb, in the heart of the picturesque Worcestershire countryside on 29 August 2021.
Goodyear: Electric cars bring new challenges to tyre development
The performance stats of recently-launched electric cars highlight that electrification not only eliminates emissions, it also raises the bar in regards to sheer acceleration and instant performance. Electric saloons from manufacturers such as Audi and Porsche can hit 60 mph faster than many traditional supercars. For Goodyear, this brings exciting new challenges for tyre design and development.
Kwik Fit trialling tyre subscription scheme
Kwik Fit has launched a Kwik Fit Club membership that sees drivers pay a monthly subscription that covers all their tyre wear, including repairs and premium tyre replacement, wheel alignment and six-monthly health checks. They also have the option to include their MOT and servicing costs. Drivers can join the programme and keep track of their subscription through an app, and although they can nominate a ‘home garage’, their membership can be used at any of Kwik Fit’s 600-plus centres across the country. The new tyre subscription is being trialled in Yorkshire and the North West, with a view to rolling it out nationwide in the summer of 2021.
Performance tyres for compact cars – Auto Bild test
While anyone who thinks ride comfort the be-all and end-all should steer clear of low profile, higher rim diameter tyres, motorists wanting a more dynamic driving experience will benefit from a couple of extra inches and a flatter sidewall. Auto Bild can help decide what tyre to buy, too. It has tested size 235/35 R19 tyres suitable for sporty compact cars such as the VW Golf GTI, Audi S3 and Seat Leon Cupra.
World RX & Euro RX competing on Cooper tyres through to 2023
Cooper Tire Europe will continue its exclusive tyre supply to the FIA World Rallycross and FIA European Rallycross championships for the 2021, 2022 and 2023 seasons. This year’s World Rallycross season, the 8th contested on Cooper tyres, commences with the World RX of Norway on 12 June.
Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 for Toyota Yaris Cross
The Toyota Yaris has bulked up to meet market demand for small SUVs. Meet the Yaris Cross, a new and larger version of the popular supermini. Toyota designed this B-segment SUV specifically for the European market and has chosen Goodyear as an original equipment tyre supplier. The Toyota Yaris Cross will wear the Goodyear EfficientGrip […]
Inspired by racing cars, landscapes & Zeus: Pirelli’s Imola F1 trophies
Pirelli is title sponsor of this weekend’s F1 racing in Imola, and as such was tasked with supplying the race trophies for the Gran Premio del Made in Italy e dell’Emilia Romagna. The tyre maker turned to artist Alice Ronchi to supply the creativity, selecting her for this project on the back of prior collaboration with Pirelli HangarBicocca, the non-profit foundation dedicated to the production and promotion of contemporary art set up within a converted warehouse in Milan in 2004.
