Bhopal has become the latest location for the exclusive Vredestein brand outlets. Apollo Tyres Ltd recently inaugurated the second branded retail outlet for Vredestein tyres in India, located at Arihant Tyres just outside DB City Mall. The inauguration ceremony was led by Rajesh Dahiya, Vice President of Sales and Services at Apollo Tyres Ltd, alongside Ashok Jain Pitalia, Proprietor of Arihant Tyres. The event drew car and bike enthusiasts from the region.
On the occasion, Rajesh Dahiya, Vice President, Sales and Service, Apollo Tyres Ltd, said, “Bhopal is fast emerging as a premium tyre market with consumers preferring high-performance tyres for their premium cars and superbikes. Arihant Tyres, with its rich experience of two decades, along with its enviable clientele at its four outlets across the city, is the perfect fit for the Vredestein product range, targeted towards the enthusiastic explorers, for whom the ultra-high performance vehicles are a reflection of themselves. We are confident that a presence in this high footfall zone and enhanced brand visibility will be a win-win situation for both Arihant Tyres and us.”
This specialised Vredestein outlet adopts a modern and up-market retail format, offering customers an appealing visual experience, comfort, and convenience. It also allows customers to learn about the product’s applications and performance before making a final purchase. This approach bridges the gap between tyres, traditionally viewed as a low-involvement product category, and the need for expert guidance to help customers select the right tyres for their vehicle, driving style, and usage.
Apollo Tyres utilises its extensive network of business partners, particularly premium tier I counters, to promote and sell the Vredestein brand. Following the opening in Bengaluru, the Bhopal outlet is only the second specialist counter for Vredestein tyres.
Vredestein, a premium European brand, is manufactured at Apollo Tyres’ cutting-edge facilities in India. It caters to the premium and luxury segments in passenger cars, with its two-wheeler tyres targeting the burgeoning superbike segment in India. The Vredestein brand is renowned for its premium styling and exceptional performance, two critical factors that owners of luxury cars and superbikes consider.
Pirelli Develops Bespoke P Zero R Tyre For New Official FIA F1 Safety Car
- By TT News
- October 05, 2026
Pirelli has introduced the P Zero R, an ultra-high-performance tyre created specifically for the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 PRO 4MATIC+, unveiled as the first Official FIA F1 Safety Car fitted with fully variable all-wheel drive. The tyre blends qualifying-level dry performance with precise steering response while maintaining safe wet handling and was engineered to deliver consistent performance during Formula 1 Safety Car deployments, where precision, reliability and control are essential.
The dual-compound tread and tread pattern details, developed through virtualisation, allow high performance in both dry and wet conditions. Co-developed with Mercedes-AMG engineers in Affalterbach and refined using virtual simulation models central to Pirelli's development process, the compounds, land-to-groove ratio and tread channel widths work in synergy with the vehicle's suspension geometry and camber. This optimises the contact patch, maximising grip and steering precision while enhancing high-speed stability without sacrificing wet performance.
The project forms part of Pirelli's role as Formula 1's sole tyre supplier since 2011, a position recently confirmed by the FIA and Formula 1 and extended through to 2028. The relationship stretches back to the inaugural race in 1950, and Pirelli has accompanied the championship's technical evolution, reaching 500 Grands Prix in 2025. Experience gained on track, including in extreme conditions, gives Pirelli a laboratory for innovation whose findings also feed into road tyre development.
Designed to put the power of its 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine onto the road, the 21-inch P Zero R supports an engine producing 450 kW (612 hp) and 850 Nm of maximum torque. The car offers high performance and drivability thanks to the fully variable AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel-drive system, which demands tyres capable of coping with rapid load transfers while letting the car exploit its dynamic potential.
Extensive testing at the Nürburgring and Nardò involved AMG brand ambassador and Official FIA F1 Safety Car Driver Bernd Mayländer and other experienced Safety Car drivers, who praised the tyre's consistency and grip across a wide range of conditions. The first P Zero R developed specifically for a Mercedes-AMG, it confirms a longstanding collaboration built on co-development from the earliest stages of vehicle development, resulting in more than 150 fitments. The tyre carries the MO1 sidewall marking, identifying it as specifically developed for this model.
The previous Official FIA F1 Safety Car from the Affalterbach performance and sports car brand, the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series, which served from 2022 to 2026, also ran on Pirelli P Zero tyres. The latest milestone in the partnership came at the Nürburgring Nordschleife, where the Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 4MATIC+ fitted with Pirelli P Zero Trofeo RS tyres set a record of 7:32.070 minutes, claiming the title of fastest vehicle in its segment on the legendary German circuit.
Continental Secures Two Porsche OE Approvals for Panamera, Cayenne
- By TT News
- September 29, 2026
Continental has secured two fresh original-equipment approvals from Porsche. Both the SportContact 7 and the newly introduced SportContact 7 Force have been sanctioned for the Panamera G3 II, while the WinterContact TS 860 S is recommended by Porsche for the Cayenne E4 in colder conditions. The approvals cover 21- and 22-inch sizes bearing XL markings that denote greater load capacity.
The SportContact 7 serves as a summer tyre engineered for highly responsive and precise handling. Its tread design and rubber formulation deliver strong grip and brief braking distances on dry and wet surfaces alike, ensuring notable stability at elevated speeds. The SportContact 7 Force, meanwhile, represents a high-performance extension of Continental's summer range.
Developed as a specialised variant of the SportContact 7, the Force version addresses elevated performance and stability requirements. An adaptive tread pattern paired with a refined rubber compound allows for more accurate handling and efficient power transfer under extreme conditions. It blends track-derived capability with suitability for daily driving.
For the Cayenne E4, the WinterContact TS 860 S has been tailored to high-powered, handling-oriented SUVs. It offers short braking distances and precise dry-road handling, alongside solid snow performance for dependable control and stability. Its low rolling resistance may also help extend electric vehicle range.
Pirelli Develops Bespoke P Zero For BRABUS BODO CABRIOLET
- By TT News
- September 28, 2026
Pirelli has been selected as the exclusive supplier of 22-inch tyres for the new BRABUS BODO CABRIOLET, developing a bespoke P Zero for the open-top Gran Turismo. The same tyre is also available for the Coupé variant. The German luxury brand required a solution balancing grip at high speeds with comfort and precision.
BRABUS collaborated closely with Pirelli engineers throughout development, tailoring the tyre to the supercar’s chassis, wheel dimensions and V12 engine, which propels the 2+2-seater to 360 kmph. Attention centred on construction, tread pattern and compound to achieve high-speed performance, steering precision, stability and comfort.
Advanced virtualisation and simulation techniques allowed Pirelli to optimise the tyre’s characteristics before an intensive joint testing programme at Germany’s Papenburg track, where handling and high-speed behaviour were evaluated and fine-tuned for the BODO CABRIOLET.
Aesthetic details also mattered: a high-contrast sidewall reinforces the car’s bold character. The P Zero carries a ‘BB’ marking denoting bespoke development and is offered in 285/30 ZR22 XL front and 335/25 ZR22 XL rear sizes, delivering power and torque without sacrificing Grand Tourer comfort.
Joern Gander, CTO, BRABUS, “The successful development of this 22-inch tyre combination, created together with Pirelli, underlines our ambition to perfectly harmonise maximum performance, precision and driving dynamics with the BRABUS BODO, right down to the smallest detail.”
Nexen Tire To Supply ROADIAN GTX Tyres For 2027 Kia Sorento Hybrid
- By TT News
- September 28, 2026
NEXEN TIRE will supply its ROADIAN GTX tyres as original equipment for the hybrid version of Kia’s mid-size SUV, the Sorento, following the vehicle’s 2027 model-year update. The refreshed model introduces a new 20-inch ROADIAN GTX lineup alongside the existing 17-inch size.
Both sizes will be offered on the Sorento Hybrid. The 17-inch fitment is designated for vehicles sold in Korea and North America, while the 20-inch version will be available for those sold in Korea. The ROADIAN GTX is an SUV-specific tyre engineered for strong braking, long tread life, quiet operation and ride comfort.
A specialised compound supports consistent performance across diverse temperatures, while a zigzag tread pattern promotes even pressure distribution and reduces vehicle pull. Enhanced mileage extends replacement intervals, addressing hybrid SUV durability and efficiency needs. The tyre has earned OE fitments on global SUV models including the Kia EV5 and EV6, Renault Filante and Jeep Cherokee. NEXEN TIRE plans to deepen partnerships with automakers across Korean and North American markets, expanding worldwide OE supply using technology proven with European premium automakers.
John Bosco (Hyeon Suk) Kim, CEO, NEXEN TIRE, said, "This expanded OE supply demonstrates that our technological excellence and product quality continue to earn recognition in the global market. We will continue to strengthen our partnerships with global automakers and expand our OE tyre supply going forward."
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