Continental Tires has been granted the Mercedes-Benz Preferred Partner status in India, valid from September 2022 to August 2024. 

As a preferred partner, Continental accesses centralized order and sales tools seamlessly integrated within Mercedes-Benz’s network. A dedicated online platform for order fulfilment is also at Continental’s disposal. Joint promotional initiatives and customer-centric events will further elevate the in-store retail experience for car owners, underscoring Continental’s dedication to customer-centric solutions and operational excellence.

“Our customers’ ambitions are our driving force”, says Dalibor Kalina, Head of Business Area Replacement Tires APAC, “Being awarded as the preferred partner by a renowned premium car manufacturer like Mercedes-Benz demonstrates our outstanding technological capabilities and dedication to support our customers in achieving their business goals.”

“We are honoured to be a preferred partner of Mercedes-Benz, a global leader in luxury cars. This partnership reflects our shared vision of delivering excellence and innovation to the Indian market, says Samir Gupta, Managing Director, Continental Tires India, and Head of Central Region BA RE APAC. With our cutting-edge technology and customer-centric solutions, we aim to enhance the driving experience and safety of Mercedes-Benz car owners in India.”

This partnership extends to Indian customers an opportunity to acquire top-tier, tailor-made tyres meticulously crafted to meet the specific requisites and benchmarks of Mercedes-Benz vehicles. This translates to heightened performance, safety, and comfort for drivers and their vehicles. Moreover, the collaboration will stimulate growth within the Indian tyre industry. Continental will collaborate closely with Mercedes-Benz retail channels to address aftermarket demands and supply the requisite tyre replacements throughout the vehicles’ lifespan. This collaborative effort is poised to bolster sales and revenue for tyre manufacturers and distributors across India.

Continental and Mercedes-Benz share a longstanding and thriving global partnership. Continental is one of Mercedes-Benz’s premier international partners for OE-Tyres and tyre replacement endeavours, furnishing tyres for the entire spectrum of the automaker’s portfolio, spanning from A- to GLS-Class. Noteworthy tyre models like SportContact 6, EcoContact 6, EcoContact 6Q, PremiumContact 6, and SportContact 7 have been custom-engineered to seamlessly align with the performance, comfort, and aesthetic attributes of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, ensuring a gratifying driving experience for customers.

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The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. is now providing its GEOLANDAR X-CV tyres as original equipment for the newly redesigned Lexus RZ battery electric vehicle (BEV) in North America. This highway terrain tyre, sized 235/50R20 100V, is engineered to deliver high-speed capability and drivability without compromising on safety, comfort, durability or energy efficiency, and it carries the M+S mud and snow rating. For the Japanese-market RZ, the company continues to fit the ADVAN V61 model in specific front and rear sizes, as it did for the prior version.

These GEOLANDAR X-CV tyres feature Yokohama’s proprietary ‘E+’ sidewall engraving, denoting technologies tailored for electrified vehicles, which prioritise durability, quiet operation and improved energy consumption. Their development was supported by HAICoLab, Yokohama’s AI-driven innovation framework that combines human creativity with artificial intelligence to accelerate design and discovery.

This selection by Lexus for the RZ follows recent adoptions of the GEOLANDAR X-CV on other Lexus models, including the LX and GX550. The partnership aligns with Yokohama Rubber’s strategic medium-term management plan, Yokohama Transformation 2026. A central pillar of this plan is for the consumer tyre division to increase its sales of high-value-added products, actively promoting both the global flagship ADVAN brand and the SUV-focused GEOLANDAR brand for original equipment placement on new vehicles worldwide.

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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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