Tyre News

Promoted as a “sporty and stylish EV designed for Europe,” the Cadillac Optiq is a compact electric crossover that General Motors first sold in China before bringing to global markets. It is scheduled to arrive across the Channel soon with UK sales to follow. Continental is supplying its CrossContact RX all-weather touring tyre as original equipment in 20- and 21-inch sizes, with Optiq models sold in the UK and Ireland wearing the tyre in 275/40 R21 107H XL FR ContiSeal. Continental is additionally providing the CrossContact RX for the Chevrolet Equinox EV, an SUV built on the same platform as the Optiq but not sold outside of North America.

Following its 2025 summer UHP tyre test, Auto Express has published its latest survey of eight leading winter tyres. Auto Express tested four premium brand tyres, the Continental WinterContact TS 870, Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3, Bridgestone Blizzak 6, and the Michelin Alpin 7, which made up the top four overall. It also looked at two top mid-range tyres in the Vredestein Wintrac Pro+ and the Falken Eurowinter HS02 Pro and two tyres from a couple of China’s biggest tyre-makers, the Linglong Sport Master Winter and the Triangle WinterX TW401. The magazine tested the tyres on snow and in wet and dry conditions. 

Tyres don’t immediately spring to mind when the talk turns to climate change, but warmer conditions influence purchasing choice. Never more than a niche product in the UK, an absence of snow means there is less reason than ever to buy winter tyres – particularly when a capable all-season tyre can effectively deal with the occasional spot of ice or slush. German test specialist Die Reifentester compares seven winter fitments and one year-round tyre in size 215/55 R17.

With just 39 per cent of UK drivers aware that the minimum legal tyre tread depth is 1.6mm, Hankook has published six safety tips designed to help you understand some of the most important tyre facts. “Understanding tyre terminology might seem daunting at first, but it can make a big difference in maintaining safer vehicles, cutting unnecessary running costs, and making informed decisions when purchasing or replacing tyres”, explained Mark Eatwell, Technical Services Manager at Hankook Tyre UK.

Yangwang is not a household name, at least not yet. The brand from Chinese vehicle maker BYD produces high-end cars and SUVs, including the Yangwang U9 all-electric supercar. On 8 August, a Yangwang U9 Track Edition set a new global electric vehicle (EV) top-speed record of 293.54 mph / 472.41 km/h at the ATP Automotive Testing Papenburg test track in Germany, officially making it the world’s fastest EV. Giti Tire is proud of the role its tyres played in securing this record.

BMW Group is equipping its 7 Series with the Yokohama Advan as an original equipment tyre. Various versions of the luxury saloon, including the BMW i7 battery electric model, wear the Advan Sport V107 in either size 255/45R20 105Y at the front and 285/40R20 108Y at the rear or in the 245/50R19 105Y front and rear size.