Yokohama Rubber has announced that the cars running on its Advan brand tyres finished first and second in the GT300 class at the opening round of the 2022 Autobacs Super GT series, Japan’s touring car racing series. 

The opening round took place at the Okayama International Circuit in Okayama Prefecture recently.

Kondo Racing’s Realize Nissan Mechanic Challenge GT-R (Kiyoto Fujinami/Joao Paulo de Oliveira) finished first, followed by Team Upgarage’s Upgarage NSX GT3 (Takashi Kobayashi/Kakunoshin Ohta). 

Starting in the No. 5 position, Fujinami moved his Realize Nissan into the lead in the race’s early stages before passing the baton to Oliveira. The Realize Nissan held the lead over the rest of the race and took the checkered flag to win Round one for the second year in a row, a great start to its challenge to recapture the series championship it won in 2020, a press release said. 

Meanwhile, the Upgarage, starting in the No. 4 position, moved up to third place with Kobayashi at the wheel until the first pit stop. After that, rookie driver Ohta raced stably over a relatively lengthy stint to capture second place and the team’s first podium finish since round three in 2020.

Under Yokohama Rubber’s three-year (2021–2023) medium-term management plan, Yokohama Transformation 2023 (YX2023), the consumer tyre business aims to maximise the sales ratios of high-value-added Yokohama tyres, the release said. YX2023 also positions participation in motorsports activities as crucial to the company’s effort to develop new tyre technologies that will further strengthen the Advan and Geolandar brands. Yokohama Rubber has been participating in a wide variety of motorsports events in Japan and around the globe. In this year’s Super GT series, Yokohama Rubber has been supplying its tyres to 15 teams competing in the GT300 class and two teams racing in the GT500 class. (TT)

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Hankook Tire, a global leader in tyre manufacturing, has partnered with Porsche to equip the new Macan with its cutting-edge Ventus S1 evo3 ev summer tyres. Designed specifically for the electric SUV, these tyres come in sizes 235/55R20Y XL for the front axle and 285/45R20Y XL for the rear, featuring the distinctive ‘NE0’ sidewall marking. Engineered to handle the Macan’s high torque, they deliver exceptional power transfer, stability and performance.

The Ventus S1 evo3 ev excels in all key areas, offering a tread compound that efficiently transfers the electric SUV’s substantial torque while enhancing range through reduced rolling resistance. Its wide, stable centre tread block ensures superior grip on both wet and dry roads, while the durable compound resists wear – a crucial feature for EVs with rapid acceleration. Noise reduction is another highlight, as the optimised tread design minimises sound levels, contributing to a quieter ride. This is particularly important in electric vehicles, where the lack of engine noise makes tyre acoustics more noticeable.

Built to support the Macan’s 2.4-tonne weight, the tyre incorporates a high-strength carcass reinforced with lightweight, high-performance fibres. Aramid hybrid cord technology reduces tread deformation at high speeds, improving cornering and lane-change stability – key for a dynamic, sporty drive. Hankook’s innovation ensures the Porsche Macan delivers both exhilarating performance and refined comfort.

Jongho Park, President, Hankook Tire Europe, said, “Equipping the new, all-electric Porsche Macan – one of the highest-selling Porsche model series – with our premium tyres is another milestone in our successful partnership with the sports car manufacturer. Our technologies are ready for the requirements of the next generation of sporty electric vehicles.”

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Toyota Motor Corporation has selected Yokohama Rubber's GEOLANDAR A/T G31 and GEOLANDAR X-CV tyres as original equipment for its new 2025 4Runner SUV. The A/T G31 tyres (245/70R18 110H) will be equipped on Latin American models, while the X-CV tyres (245/70R17 110T and 265/55R20 113V) will be fitted for North America.

The GEOLANDAR A/T G31 combines all-terrain capability with on-road handling, offering enhanced fuel efficiency and reduced noise. Its optimised tread pattern, profile and structure ensure both comfort and steering stability. The GEOLANDAR X-CV, designed for highway performance, delivers improved high-speed manoeuvrability with lower rolling resistance while maintaining stability, comfort and durability in demanding conditions.

These tyres were developed using Yokohama’s HAICoLab, an AI-driven framework that blends human creativity with advanced data processing. Evolutionary computation – a key HAICoLab technology – helped refine the tread design. The development process leveraged real-world and simulated data, with AI aiding prediction, analysis and optimisation to achieve innovative performance breakthroughs.

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The MICHELIN Pilot Sport Cup 2 R K1 tyre showcases Michelin’s engineering excellence, delivering unmatched dry-surface performance for the Ferrari F80. Developed in just 15 months, this tyre benefited from advanced virtual simulation and Michelin’s proprietary C3M manufacturing process, reducing physical prototypes by 20-30 percent and accelerating production while minimising environmental impact.

Michelin and Ferrari leveraged cutting-edge simulation tools – typically reserved for motorsport – to optimise the tyre’s design before physical testing. Five virtual trials, including dynamic simulations at Ferrari’s Maranello facility, ensured perfect alignment with the F80’s extreme performance demands.

To withstand the car’s immense power, torque and aerodynamic forces, Michelin engineered a breakthrough rubber compound using a motorsport-derived mixing process, now adapted for road use. The tyre also features a reinforced twin-layer radial casing and innovative shoulder belt reinforcement, enhancing grip and stability while reducing centrifugal effects. These advancements make it the first road tyre to combine such high-performance technologies in a single design. Available in unique sizes (285/30R20 front, 345/30R21 rear), the Pilot Sport Cup 2 R K1 is exclusively tailored for the Ferrari F80.

Precision manufacturing is achieved through Michelin’s C3M process, which ensures consistent, high-accuracy production akin to 3D printing. Additionally, Michelin’s commitment to sustainability is reflected in the tyre’s development, which prioritised reduced carbon emissions. It is developed at the carbon-neutral Gravanches facility in Clermont-Ferrand, a site recognised for its low water consumption.

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Hyundai Motor Company has selected NEXEN TIRE’s premium comfort tyre N’FERA Supreme S as original equipment (OE) for the all-new NEXO, a next-generation hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV).

The all-new NEXO represents its first complete redesign in seven years, featuring groundbreaking hydrogen technology that delivers an impressive 700+ km range while maintaining whisper-quiet operation. This next-generation SUV showcases a sustainability-focused design inside and out. To match these advanced capabilities, Hyundai selected the innovative N'FERA Supreme S tyres, specifically engineered for hydrogen-powered vehicles.

These high-performance tyres feature an AI-optimised structure that ensures exceptional durability and handling stability, crucial for supporting the NEXO's weight. Their advanced Level Keeping Technology maintains consistent performance throughout the tyre's lifespan, while the aerodynamic tread design enhances efficiency without compromising braking or control.

Perfectly complementing the NEXO's silent hydrogen powertrain, the tyres incorporate multiple noise-reduction technologies. These include built-in sound-absorbing materials and an AI-developed tread pattern that minimises road noise in all driving conditions. Together, these features create a harmonious blend of eco-friendly innovation and driving performance, making the new NEXO a true leader in sustainable mobility.

John Bosco (Hyeon Suk) Kim, CEO of NEXEN TIRE, said, “This latest supply agreement highlights NEXEN TIRE’s technological leadership in the next generation of eco-friendly mobility. We will continue to broaden our global OE partnerships by delivering optimised tyre solutions for all powertrains – hydrogen fuel cell, electric, hybrid and internal combustion alike.”

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