Tyre News

Hyundai has given its Ioniq 5 the ‘N’ treatment and yesterday announced UK specifications, pricing and technical information. Buyers of this performance-oriented model will receive a car whose electric motors spin up to 21,000 rpm and provide as much as 609PS in normal conditions or 650 PS when N Grin Boost (NGB) is engaged. The 0-62 mph time is an impressive 3.4 seconds and top speed 161mph. The Ioniq 5 N brings this performance to the road via Pirelli tyres.

France’s best-selling car is also a vehicle that has sold over 1.1 million units in the UK during the last 33 years. Renault has now facelifted the fifth-generation Clio to give it a “bold, fresh style and added sportiness.” The freshened model is available in the UK in three trim levels, Evolution, Techno and Esprit Alpine. These are distinguishable by their wheels, for which two tyre sizes and three tyre brands are original equipment.

Deliveries of the latest BMW 5 Series will begin any time now. UK-spec M Sport versions of the eighth-generation G60/G61/G68 model come with 19” alloy wheels as standard equipment, while the M Sport Pro receives 20” alloys. BMW UK says the enlarged diameter over its predecessor’s rims gives the new 5 Series an “even more sporty presence.” Buyers can choose optional 20” & 21” alloy wheels for all versions, and the BMW list of approved rims and tyres for the G60 also includes an 18” fitment.

European motoring clubs ADAC, TCS and ÖAMTC have evaluated 16 winter tyres in size 205/60 R16, a dimension primarily worn by smaller SUVs. The test team fitted the tyres to a VW T-Roc and appraised their performance in dry, wet and wintry conditions as well as for environmental and sustainability-related factors such as noise, wear and rolling resistance.

Although the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) predicts that battery electric vehicles will capture a 17.8% share of the new car market by the close of 2023, they remain a topic of fervent discussion and sensational headlines. Tyres aren’t exempt from this discourse, as the Daily Mail made clear in July when calling them the “dirty secret behind your electric vehicles.” To bring some common sense back into the EV tyre conversation, Michelin recently shared its views on the subject.

Tyre safety has been discussed in detail in two episodes of the Driving for Better Business podcast. The chair of road safety organisation TyreSafe, Stuart Lovatt, provided tyre safety insights for all drivers, focusing on company cars and grey fleet. Among other topics, he discussed tyres for electric vehicles, issues to be aware of when fitting part-worn tyres and October’s Tyre Safety Month. Tips focus on mitigating risk, saving money and staying safe when driving for work. Both episodes are embedded below.