Tyre News

If you drive an Audi and want more performance without tearing the car apart, ECU tuning is one of the smartest upgrades you can make. Known as ECU remapping or chipping, this upgrade rewrites the brain of your car to unlock power, improve throttle response, and even help with fuel economy. Best of all, modern ECU tuning often requires no physical modifications at all. It is software that unlocks the potential already built into your car from the factory.

Three Hankook products made the podium in the 2025 WhatTyre Tyre of the Year Awards, featured in the WhatTyre Buyers Guide 2025. The fifth consecutive year of the prestigious awards highlighted the top tyres on the market across nine different categories, using the site’s proprietary Tyrescore algorithm and its experienced panel of tyre business editors to help identify the best available tyres. Two of the six commended tyres won in their categories: the Hankook Ventus evo was Performance Tyre of the Year 2025 in its debut year, while the Hankook iON evo continued its dominance of the specialist Electric Car Tyre category, retaining its 2024 crown.

The Automobilclub von Deutschland (AvD) has deployed an abundance of bells and more than a few whistles for its tyre testing comeback after half a century out of the game. The motoring association worked together with Tempotire, the firm founded by former Auto Bild tyre test specialist Henning Klipp, to evaluate 27 all-season tyres in three popular sizes. Together they put these premium, mid-tier and budget 205/45 R17, 205/55 R16 and 235/60 R18 tyres through their paces in snow, wet and dry conditions.

Only 39% of UK drivers are aware of the legal minimum tyre tread depth of 1.6mm, meaning 61% of drivers could unknowingly be on the road with unsafe or even illegal tyres. In fact, research also shows that up to a quarter of vehicles could have illegal tyres. “It’s a startling figure, and it highlights a significant knowledge gap that could compromise driver safety”, explains Mark Eatwell, technical services manager at Hankook Tyre UK.

Fleet managers face a myriad of responsibilities, chief among them being tyre maintenance. Compliance with UK regulations is not just about avoiding fines; it’s pivotal for ensuring safety on the roads. The integration of legal support can be crucial when dealing with broader motoring infractions.

Parents taking to the school run next week should first carry out vital tyre checks to keep their families safe. Tyre manufacturer Bridgestone warns that its latest research shows 63% of motorists will wait until their car fails its MOT before replacing tyres. Meanwhile 11% admit to driving on bald, illegal tyres before replacing them. With millions of parents set to take their children to and from the school gates next week, Bridgestone says the time is right to uncover this often-hidden danger. More information on how to keep your tyres safe is available on Bridgestone's website.