Continental has secured the esteemed position of preferred tyre partner for Mercedes-Benz in China, Australia, Malaysia, and Indonesia, a privilege set to endure until August 2025. This endorsement also extends to their existing partnership in India, now slated until August 2024. As a preferred tyre partner, Continental gains access to centralised ordering and sales tools integrated with the Mercedes-Benz network, along with a direct online platform for streamlined order processing. Additionally, collaborative promotional endeavours and customer events, such as product launches and driving experiences, are on the agenda.

“Our customers’ ambitions are our driving force,” said Dalibor Kalina, Head of Continentals Business Area Replacement Tires Asia-Pacific (APAC). “Being the preferred tyre partner of a premium car manufacturer like Mercedes-Benz is a great endorsement of our outstanding technological capabilities and the strong commitment our team has to supporting our customers.”

Continental stands out for its premium tyre offerings and services in original equipment and replacement sectors. Tyres bearing the “MO” (“Mercedes-Benz Original”) designation on the sidewall are specially approved by Mercedes-Benz, meeting stringent requirements and standards tailored to specific Mercedes-Benz vehicle models. The collaboration ensures that the right tyres are readily available for all vehicle types, thanks to Continental’s close partnership with Mercedes-Benz and its sales associates.

Continental provides tailored tyres across the entire spectrum of Mercedes-Benz models, from A-Class to GLS-Class. In Europe and the Asia-Pacific region, these include tyre lines such as SportContact, EcoContact, and PremiumContact. In the Americas Region, particularly in the US and Canada, this also encompasses the ProContact tyre line.

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Hankook Tire has been chosen as the original equipment manufacturer for the Volkswagen Tiguan and Tayron SUV models, fitting them with its Ventus evo SUV tyre. This partnership covers a wide range of specifications, with six different tyre sizes from 17 to 20 inches available for the immensely popular Tiguan and five sizes for the five or seven-seater Tayron crossover. A key identifier for these specially developed tyres is a circled plus sign on the sidewall, signifying they are built to Volkswagen’s precise standards and are approved for factory installation on new vehicles.

The collaborative development process, centred at the Hankook Tire Technology Center in Hannover, prioritised a harmonious blend of comfort and dynamic performance. A major focus throughout the design phase was achieving the lowest possible noise level. Through meticulous tread design and an innovative compound in the tread material, the Ventus evo SUV attains a noise level below 66 decibels. This performance is crucial, as it helps the overall vehicle meet Volkswagen's strict maximum noise requirement of 68 decibels, significantly enhancing cabin quietness.

Further technical hallmarks of these premium tyres include Opti Pitch and Kerf designs, which work to minimise road noise. The implementation of Dual Pitch technology varies the number of tread blocks on the inner and outer sections of the tyre, a feature that enhances steering precision during cornering while also contributing to a quieter ride. Engineers carefully calibrated the tread height to ensure these acoustic benefits do not come at the expense of critical performance areas such as traction, braking, cornering stability or the tyre’s overall lifespan.

Final validation of the Ventus evo SUV involved rigorous testing that extended beyond laboratory simulations to demanding real-world tracks, including the challenging Nürburgring Nordschleife. This extensive testing protocol confirmed the capabilities of all tyre sizes. Furthermore, Hankook tailored the driving character of the tyres by size; the 17-, 18- and 19-inch variants are engineered for superior comfort, while the 20-inch version offers a distinctly sportier feel. Production for the European market is handled at Hankook’s manufacturing facility in Rácalmás, Hungary.

Klaus Krause, Vice President and Head of Europe Technical Centre at Hankook Tire, said, “The provision of original equipment for the two SUV models Tiguan and Tayron is further proof that the Volkswagen Group considers Hankook Tire one of its top development partners in the tyre sector. We have succeeded in perfectly matching our premium summer tyre, Ventus evo SUV, in every tyre size to the driving characteristics of the two models and achieved our goal of combining the requirements for high comfort over long distances with a sporty character.”

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Sumitomo Rubber Industries has announced that its Thailand-based affiliate will provide original equipment tyres for the newly unveiled Toyota Hilux Travo. The vehicle will be fitted with the specially optimised Dunlop Grandtrek A/T31 tyres.

These tyres were meticulously engineered to meet the demanding and varied conditions the Hilux Travo is expected to encounter. Through enhancements to their shape, internal structure and tread pattern, the tyres achieve a refined balance of travel performance, durability and comfort. A newly developed compound and a unique tread block sequence work in concert to deliver capable on-road and off-road performance while also ensuring quiet operation.

Furthermore, the dedicated tyre design aims for improved fuel efficiency and reliable handling on wet road surfaces.

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Continental said it is supplying a range of summer and winter tyres for Porsche’s all-electric Macan, with the SUV offered with the SportContact 6 for high-performance driving, the CrossContact RX for comfort and all-season use, and the WinterContact TS 860 S for winter conditions.

All tyres feature the XL marking, indicating increased load capacity. The models approved for the Macan carry Porsche’s “NE0” sidewall designation.

The SportContact 6, part of Continental’s ultra-ultra-high-performance segment, is designed for speeds of up to 350 km/h. The company said engineers optimised the compound, tread and construction to deliver “exceptional grip and outstanding safety at high speeds”. The tyre features a newly developed reinforcement structure and a tread designed to maximise force transmission.

The CrossContact RX, aimed at drivers prioritising comfort and reduced road noise, combines a specialised tread and siping design with groove geometry intended to improve water clearance and reduce aquaplaning risk. Depending on specification, it is approved for speeds up to 270 km/h, with Macan-specific versions rated V (up to 240 km/h).

For winter use, Porsche recommends the WinterContact TS 860 S, which Continental said provides “maximum control, stability and driving enjoyment” for sports-oriented vehicles. The tyre is engineered to manage instant torque from electric powertrains and features low rolling resistance to help extend driving range.

Continental supplies original-equipment tyres to most of Porsche’s line-up, including the Taycan, Cayenne and Panamera.

Approved tyre sizes for the Macan include:

• SportContact 6 NE0: 295/40 R21 111Y XL; 255/45 R21 106Y XL
• CrossContact RX NE0: 295/35 R22 108V XL; 255/40 R22 103V XL; 295/40 R21 111V XL; 255/45 R21 106V XL; 285/45 R20 112V XL; 235/55 R20 105V XL
• WinterContact TS 860 S NE0: 295/35 R22 108V XL; 255/40 R22 103V XL; 285/40 R21 109V XL; 255/45 R21 106V XL

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Japan’s Yokohama Rubber is supplying its ADVAN Sport V107 tyres as original equipment for the BMW i3 battery electric vehicle (BEV), which is sold in China and other international markets.

The company said it is providing two tyre configurations for the BMW i3 – a 19-inch set (225/45R19 96Y front and 245/40R19 98Y rear) and an 18-inch set (225/50R18 99Y front and 245/45R18 100Y rear). The model is not sold in Japan.

Part of Yokohama’s global flagship ADVAN range, the Sport V107 is an ultra-high-performance tyre jointly developed with the BMW Group. The tyres feature a specially formulated compound and a revised tread pattern designed to improve dry performance and wear resistance, while achieving the EU’s highest “A” grade for rolling resistance.

Yokohama said it used its proprietary mound profile technology, which evenly distributes surface contact pressure to enhance handling and durability. The tyres’ rigid skeleton structure is aimed at delivering precise steering response suited for high-powered premium vehicles.

As with all tyres approved by BMW, the sidewall of the ADVAN Sport V107 carries the automaker’s star mark, signifying compliance with BMW’s standards for technology, quality and reliability.

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