Bridgestone has entered into an agreement with Volta Trucks, the Scandinavian start-up full-electric vehicle manufacturer, in which the tyre making company will supply tyres to the latter’s first launch vehicle, to be revealed at an online event on September 3.

Bridgestone will be mounted on the pilot vehicles that are due to start evaluation with fleet operators in early 2021.

Large logistics fleet operators have already signed-up to trial the Volta Zero, including DPD Group in the UK and Bring and Posten in Scandinavia, with orders also already being taken for the vehicle in both markets.

Bridgestone have supplied the Volta Zero with their 285/70R19.5 146/144M R-Steer 002 tyre for both front and rear axles. The tyre’s steer pattern delivers an optimum performance for high-torque full-electric vehicles and thanks to its ribbed design tread pattern, the R-Steer tyre also offers significant tyre noise reduction. This is an important attribute for the Volta Zero that is designed predominantly for inner city usage, with its silent full-electric powertrain enabling it to operate in urban areas 24 hours a day, even with the most stringent noise pollution regulations.

Confirming the partnership, Andrea Manenti, Vice President, North Region of Bridgestone, said, “The transportation industry is in rapid transformation and vehicles are becoming more and more CASE - connected, autonomous, shared and electric. We are proud to partner with Volta Trucks, an exciting new manufacturer of electric vehicles, as their demonstrator fleet of the Volta Zero hits the road for the first time. As a business, Bridgestone is committed to working with key partners in contributing to the future of mobility and creating new value for society. The work that we’re doing alongside Volta Trucks is exactly that.”

Rob Fowler, Chief Executive Officer of Volta Trucks, said, “As the manufacturer of the world’s first purpose-built full-electric large commercial vehicle, we are pioneering in the electrification of commercial vehicles and I am pleased to work with an innovative and world-renowned tyre company like Bridgestone who can help support our early ambitions.”

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Hoosier Racing Tire has launched the TrackAttack Race, a new competition tyre designed exclusively for track use, expanding its TrackAttack product family.

The tyre was unveiled at the PRI Show in Indianapolis on 12 December and is positioned as a pure racing option aimed at drivers seeking faster lap times and greater consistency under high-performance conditions.

According to the company, the TrackAttack Race has been engineered to deliver quicker lap times than Hoosier’s previous A7 and R7 models, while maintaining stability and minimal performance fall-off over extended use. It is available in two compounds: A8, a medium compound focused on maximum race traction, and R8, a harder compound designed for higher heat tolerance and durability.

The TrackAttack Race is the second product under the TrackAttack name, following the launch of the TrackAttack Pro in September 2024.

The Pro version is intended for dual street and track use, while the TrackAttack Race is explicitly built for competition environments and is not recommended for highway use. Both tyres are DOT-approved, though their applications differ.

“Hoosier has traditionally named tyres after compounds or internal codes, which wasn’t always easy for consumers to navigate. Our new family naming makes it easier to understand each product’s core purpose,” said Joerg Burfien, president and chief executive of Hoosier Racing Tire. “Last year, we introduced the TrackAttack Pro, a streetable track tyre suitable for highway use. Now we’re adding a pure competition option with the TrackAttack Race.”

Mike Edmiston, head of research and development at Hoosier Racing Tire, said the new product reflects lessons learned from previous generations and extensive real-world testing. “Each previous generation tyre has taught us something new, and we’ve applied those lessons to deliver the consistency and performance that drivers demand,” he said.

The TrackAttack Race incorporates Hoosier’s H-DNA technology and is available in 51 sizes, covering rim diameters from 13 inches to 21 inches. The tyre is intended for dedicated track applications and is aimed at drivers competing in high-intensity racing environments.

Hoosier Racing Tire is a wholly owned subsidiary of Continental AG.

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Pirelli has introduced two new versions of its P Zero tyre for the latest Porsche 911 GT3, extending its supply across the entire 911 range. The P Zero R and the P Zero Trofeo RS have been developed to meet specific performance needs, using experience gained from tyres created for the Porsche 911 GT3 RS.

The P Zero R is designed for daily use on high-performance cars. Its compound, developed for the new GT3, is intended to deliver strong grip on varied surfaces, including in wet conditions. Pirelli says the tyre operates across a wide temperature range and maintains performance even in less favourable situations. The structure differs between the front and rear tyres to balance steering precision, sensitivity and control, especially under high loads.

The P Zero Trofeo RS sits at the top of the P Zero range and targets track driving. The tyre is designed to sustain grip and precision over long sessions, even under demanding conditions. Pirelli reports that expertise from its work on the Trofeo RS for the 911 GT3 RS has been applied to the version now created for the latest 911 GT3.

Tailor-made versions of the Trofeo RS have also been produced for other models, including the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT. Both new tyres for the GT3 feature Pirelli’s Perfect Fit strategy, which focuses on bespoke development for each vehicle model. Each tyre carries an “N” marking on the sidewall to reflect its dedicated development for the 911 GT3.

Development took place using virtual techniques at Pirelli’s research centres in Milan and Breuberg, reducing both development time and the number of physical prototypes by 30 per cent.

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The new Renault Clio will feature Continental's EcoContact 7 tyre as original equipment for its global launch. Approved in numerous countries, the compact car will be fitted with this model in two specific sizes: 195/60 R16 and 205/45 R18. Both variants have earned the highest possible ratings on the EU tyre label for fuel efficiency and low rolling noise, underscoring their performance credentials.

This high performance stems from several integrated technological advancements. A newly formulated rubber compound works in concert with Continental’s Smart Energy Casing, which employs innovative materials in the tyre’s internal structure to minimise friction and rolling resistance. Further efficiency gains are achieved through an aerodynamically refined sidewall. This design incorporates a dimpled texture, inspired by the surface of a golf ball, to smooth airflow and reduce the energy required to keep the tyre in motion.

Alongside its energy-saving properties, the tyre is engineered for refined acoustics. A specifically designed Silent Pattern tread layout alters the arrangement and angles of the tread blocks to target and dampen the frequency of noise typically produced during low-speed urban driving. This focus results in a reduction of rolling noise, enhancing comfort for those inside the vehicle and contributing to a quieter environment for pedestrians and city residents alike.

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Giti Tire has expanded its AdvanZtech EV Ready line with the launch of the GitiWinterW2, its first winter tyre designed for electric, hybrid and conventional vehicles. The company said the new model is now available for ordering for the 2025/26 winter season.

The GitiWinterW2 will be offered in 17 sizes ranging from 15- to 20-inch rims. All products carry the AdvanZtech EV Ready sidewall mark, indicating suitability for internal combustion vehicles as well as mild hybrid, plug-in hybrid and battery-electric models.

The range is intended to cover a wide span of the European car parc, from small cars such as the Fiat 500e to larger vehicles including the Tesla Model 3, Volkswagen Tiguan and Volvo XC60 PHEV. Giti said each tyre has been tuned for EV-specific demands such as torque management, while maintaining low rolling resistance and strong performance on snow and wet roads.

The manufacturer highlighted three core attributes for the GitiWinterW2: a quiet and comfortable ride, strong safety characteristics and precise control in winter conditions.

The winter tyre joins the GitiSportS2 and GitiSynergyH2 summer patterns in the EV Ready strategy first announced in August 2024. All three products were developed using Giti’s AdvanZtech R&D framework at its European Research & Development Centre in Hannover, Germany.

Fabio Pecci-Boriani, Deputy General Manager for Product Planning PCR and LTR at Giti Tire’s European R&D Centre, said the company aimed to give both drivers and dealers greater clarity as electrification reshapes the market. “The Giti brand was among the first in the mid-market to introduce an EV ready concept, ensuring maximum flexibility and product clarity for dealers and peace of mind for drivers.”

He added that winter conditions pose specific challenges for electrified cars. “As is proven winter can have an impact on the performance of part-electric and electric vehicles with lower temperatures reducing battery range and immediate torque levels being tricky on slippery roads, the Giti AdvanZtech EV ready GitiWinterW2 goes a long way to addressing these issues.”

Giti said its EV Ready strategy remains a central pillar of its European product plans as the shift towards hybrid and battery-electric vehicles accelerates.

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