Hankook Tire has entered a new chapter in its longstanding partnership with Porsche by securing original equipment status for the iconic 911 Carrera. This marks the first time the South Korean manufacturer’s rubber will be mounted on the production line of the legendary rear-engine sports car, following nearly 10 years of supplying Porsche with tyres for other models. The bespoke fitment features a staggered setup, with 235/40 ZR19 tyres up front and wider 295/35 ZR20 tyres at the rear, both carrying a distinct ‘NA2’ sidewall designation that signifies their factory-approved specification.

The engineering effort behind this achievement was substantial, with Hankook’s specialists spending several years refining the product to satisfy Porsche’s exacting standards. The primary technical hurdle centred on harmonising contradictory performance demands – superb dry-road agility and lane-change precision versus reliable wet-weather traction. This balancing act proved especially delicate given the 911’s hallmark weight bias towards the back axle and its rear-wheel-drive configuration, which place unique stresses on tyre behaviour during aggressive cornering and acceleration.

To conquer these challenges, the development team crafted axle-specific tread patterns and geometries, each tailored to the distinct roles of front steering response and rear propulsion. A newly formulated compound was also introduced, incorporating advanced resins, silica and a specialised mixing technique to sustain peak grip across diverse road conditions. The material composition is engineered to maximise surface contact and reactivity, ensuring the tyre remains effective even on rain-slicked pavement where hydroplaning risks are heightened.

Validation of the new tyres involved an exceptionally rigorous testing schedule that stretched across multiple continents and facilities. Unlike conventional programmes that rely on a single location, Hankook deployed the 911 Carrera to Germany’s Papenburg track and Spain’s IDIADA circuit for handling assessments, while high-speed dry performance was scrutinised at Italy’s Nardò ring. Wet-weather tuning took place at Pferdsfeld in Germany and other test sites, with Porsche AG engineers working alongside Hankook’s team throughout the vehicle dynamics calibration process to ensure seamless integration.

Aleix Alcaraz, subjective test driver at Hankook, said, “Our goal was to deliver precise steering precision, stability at high speeds and reliable grip under all conditions. Striking a balance between track performance and everyday usability made this project particularly demanding. Pushing the 911 Carrera to its limits on test tracks like Nardò and applying the lessons learned to the road was both challenging and a special experience.”

Yong Chul Choi, Vice President and Head of the Hankook Europe Technical Center, said, “Becoming original equipment for the Porsche 911 Carrera – one of the world’s most renowned and iconic sports cars – is an extraordinary milestone for Hankook. This premiere is the result of many years of technical development work and reflects our continuously growing expertise in driving dynamics. It marks an important step for our commitment to the super sports car segment.”

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Pirelli has engineered a bespoke version of its P Zero Trofeo RS semi-slick tyre for three flagship BMW M models: the M2, M3 and M4. Developed in partnership with the German manufacturer, the road-legal track tyre is engineered to deliver safety and sporting performance, particularly dry grip, cornering stability and braking, along with consistent performance during track use.

The new fitment has powered two Nürburgring-Nordschleife records. The BMW M2 with M Performance Track Kit, which pairs street-legal driving with an optimised set-up for greater track-day precision, lapped in 7:25.068 minutes, beating the compact car record held by the M2 CS by 0.5 seconds. The BMW M3 CS Touring completed the circuit in 7:29.490, becoming the fastest Touring car ever around the legendary German track and beating the previous record by nearly six seconds. The Nordschleife also served as the main development venue for the tyre.

Close collaboration between Pirelli and BMW M's R&D teams underpinned the bespoke programme. Advanced virtual development techniques allowed the tyre's characteristics to be adapted to different requirements from the earliest project stages, in line with Pirelli's Perfect Fit approach of creating products tailored to each specific model or application. After the virtual phase, development moved to track testing at the Nardò circuit and the Nürburgring, where simulation-derived solutions were validated in real-world conditions.

All Pirelli fitments for the German high-performance car manufacturer carry BMW's star marking, confirming homologation and compliance with stringent performance and safety requirements. The new fitments strengthen a longstanding partnership now spanning more than 30 bespoke tyre projects across the P Zero family, from the latest-generation P Zero and the P Zero R to the P Zero Trofeo RS and P Zero Winter 2.

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NEXEN TIRE will provide original equipment tyres for the all-new Hyundai TUCSON compact SUV, with the supply rolling out sequentially across Korea, North America and Europe. The company is fitting the Korean-market vehicles with the ROADIAN GTX in 17-inch sizes and the N'FERA Supreme S in 18-, 19- and 20-inch sizes.

North American deliveries are scheduled to start with internal combustion engine variants later this year, followed by hybrid models in the first quarter of next year, using the same product lineup as Korea. For Europe, the N'FERA Primus will be offered in 17- and 18-inch sizes and the N'FERA Sport in 19- and 20-inch sizes, with the selection tailored to local driving conditions.

The ROADIAN GTX, engineered specifically for SUVs, employs an advanced compound that sustains braking performance and ride comfort across a wide temperature range throughout the year. Its zigzag tread design distributes contact pressure to curb vehicle pulling, while improved tread life lengthens replacement intervals. The N'FERA Supreme S, a flagship tyre for high-performance premium vehicles, emphasises quietness and ride comfort. Using convolutional neural network technology, an AI-based image recognition model, NEXEN TIRE optimised the tread pattern to reduce noise and restrict road noise entering the cabin, and pattern retention technology helps maintain consistent performance even after tread wear reaches 50 percent of the wear limit.

The TUCSON contract illustrates NEXEN TIRE's OE capabilities in matching products to vehicle segments and market requirements. The company holds a broad OE portfolio spanning leading global premium automakers and volume models that account for significant regional sales. The supply follows recent OE fits for the Hyundai Avante, known as the Elantra in some markets, and the Kia Sorento.

John Bosco (Hyeon Suk) Kim, CEO, NEXEN TIRE, said, "The all-new TUCSON belongs to a segment with strong demand both in Korea and abroad, and this supply allows us to reach a wider range of drivers. As the supply extends beyond Korea to North America and Europe, we expect it to further strengthen our brand awareness in the global market."

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Global Rubber Industries (GRI) has reported higher traction, productivity and fuel efficiency for its GREEN XLR vFLEX 70 agricultural tyres than an established variable-footprint (VF) benchmark, following independent testing by Germany’s DLG TestService.

The Sri Lanka-based tyre manufacturer received the DLG Approved Quality Mark under Test Report 7616 after its tyres were assessed for traction, productivity, fuel efficiency and soil preservation at the testing organisation’s facility in Groß-Umstadt, Germany.

The tests used a John Deere 6R 215 tractor fitted with GRI GREEN XLR vFLEX 70 tyres measuring 710/70 R 42 on the rear axle and 600/70 R 30 on the front axle. The tyres were compared with an established VF reference tyre.

The results showed that the GRI tyres delivered 17.2 per cent higher traction and 3 per cent greater productivity than the benchmark. Hourly fuel consumption, measured in litres per hectare, was 3 per cent lower.

DLG concluded: "Overall, the GRI Green XLR vFLEX 70 impressed in the tested trials, particularly in terms of traction, productivity, and energy efficiency."

The productivity assessment measured hectares covered per hour, taking into account drawbar force, driving speed and wheel slip.

GRI said a three percent productivity improvement could translate into approximately 120 additional hectares covered over 1,000 operating hours, assuming a constant work rate of four hectares an hour. The company described this as an illustrative calculation rather than a measured test result.

The fuel-efficiency results also indicated potential operating savings. Based on an illustrative consumption rate of 20 litres per hectare, a 3 per cent reduction would save approximately 0.6 litres per hectare. Across 1,000 hectares, this would amount to about 600 litres.

GRI estimated that the saving would be worth approximately EUR 900 at a fuel price of EUR 1.50 a litre. It stressed that actual savings would depend on operating conditions, fuel consumption and prevailing fuel prices.

The DLG assessment also examined soil protection. However, the findings were only partially conclusive because usable measurements were available from a soil depth of 20cm under the selected test conditions.

Suresh Damodaran, Head Of Technical at GRI, said the independent assessment provided farmers with measurable evidence of the tyres' performance.

"These results are an important milestone for GRI and a clear validation of what our engineering teams have been working toward," said Damodaran. "Independent testing by DLG now gives farmers measurable evidence of how our tires perform in the field."

He added: "For farmers, the real value lies in what these numbers mean in the field," Damodaran added. "Stronger traction, higher productivity and lower fuel consumption all contribute to more efficient operations and better returns on their equipment. Our objective is not simply to manufacture high-performance tires, but to develop solutions that deliver measurable value to the people who depend on them every day."

GRI said the findings reflected its engineering capabilities in the agricultural tyre segment. It also noted that total cost of ownership would depend on other factors, including purchase price, service life, maintenance and operating conditions.

Global Rubber Industries manufactures specialty tyres for the agriculture, construction and material handling sectors. The company operates tyre production and mixing facilities in Sri Lanka and has a presence in more than 85 markets worldwide.

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Continental has secured original-equipment approval for Volkswagen's new ID. Cross, an all-electric compact SUV that will leave the factory fitted with the EcoContact 7 summer tyre in 17-, 18- and 19-inch dimensions. For colder conditions, Volkswagen recommends the WinterContact TS 870 P, while the 18-inch AllSeasonContact 2 is suggested for motorists favouring a single year-round set.

Engineered for low rolling resistance and high mileage, the EcoContact 7 supports energy-efficient, cost-effective motoring. Its Smart Energy Casing technology employs innovative materials in the carcass, inner layer and sidewall to cut internal friction, while an Aerodimple sidewall structure reduces air turbulence behind the tyre and thus aerodynamic drag. A Silent Pattern tread design also dampens rolling noise, especially at city speeds.

The WinterContact TS 870 P relies on its tread pattern and sipe layout for secure grip on snow and ice. The AllSeasonContact 2, meanwhile, offers dependable traction on dry and wet roads as well as in wintry conditions. Approved fitments span the EcoContact 7 in 225/55 R17 97T FR, 225/50 R18 95V and 225/45 R19 92T FR, plus the AllSeasonContact 2 and WinterContact TS 870 P, both in 215/50 R18 96T XL, across numerous countries.

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