Tyre News

Many motorists believe the added traction of four-wheel drive is all that’s needed for surefooted driving on snow or ice, but fitting the right tyre is just as important, arguably even more so. Winter tyres, a niche product in the UK, are unbeatable should you need grip in these harshest of conditions. To help find the right product, Auto Bild Allrad tested 12 brands of size 245/45 R18 winter tyres for SUVs and 4x4s on snowy, wet and dry roads. The motoring publication’s test team also added a summer tyre to its test programme, and this provided some interesting results.

A survey commissioned by Apollo Tyres Ltd. suggests that 65 per cent of motorists in the UK would now consider going all-season when next replacing their tyres. The result of this OnePoll survey of 1,000 UK respondents reflects the continued growing popularity of tyres designed to perform well in conditions encountered throughout the entire year.

Hankook Tire & Technology is supplying its Hankook Ventus S1 evo Z as an original equipment tyre for the new BMW M5. The performance saloon is available with this ultra ultra-high-performance (UUHP) tyre in the front axle size HL 285/40 ZR20 (111Y) XL and rear axle fitment 295/35 ZR21 (110Y) XL. Drivers intending to head into snowy regions can also additionally purchase BMW M-approved winter tyres, with the Hankook iON i*cept now homologated for the M5.

Toyo Tires and Yokohama Rubber are original equipment suppliers for the Mazda CX-80. The crossover SUV will wear Yokohama Advan tyres in a number of countries, including Japan, Australia and New Zealand. Toyo has not yet reported specific details of its arrangement, such as where Mazda will sell vehicles fitted with Toyo tyres.

All-season tyres are increasingly popular choice for SUV and 4x4 drivers seeking a tyre they can use with confidence all year round. But not every all-season tyre lives up to its promises. To help buyers make more informed purchases, Auto Bild Allrad has tested ten tyre models in size 245/45 R18. Fitting the tyres a Cupra Ateca, the publication’s testers determined how each performs under various conditions, including snow, wet roads, and dry surfaces.

The most recent Auto Bild Sportscars test involves winter tyre in the size 235/35 R19, which the publication’s test team fitted on a BMW M135i to assess their performance across a range of conditions. The results were encouraging in one respect, reflecting significant progress in winter tyre technology, particularly in snow and ice performance. But testing also highlighted that some tyre makers still battle with winter tyre performance in wet and dry conditions.