MICHELIN Track Connect app upgraded

MICHELIN Track Connect app upgraded

After being tested for more than two years on a multitude of circuits, local and national rallies, by amateur drivers as well as by professionals, MICHELIN Track Connect is evolving. MICHELIN Track Connect app has now been upgraded to three different for the users- leisure mode, expert mode and motorsports mode.

All the features introduced in the new version of MICHELIN Track Connect are perfect answers to the needs expressed directly by users, said the company.

The Leisure mode makes its debut in the latest generation of the MICHELIN Track Connect application. In this mode, it is possible to record lap times and speeds, as well as the evolution of tyre inflation pressures between the start and finish, measured manually. It also helps to analyse in detail its runs with the "Replay" mode. It also allows the users to share their results with a community of enthusiasts, as well as on social media. The users can compare their performance to that of other drivers and invite some other drivers to participate in new challenges.

With the purchase of MICHELIN Pilot Sport CUP2 Connect tyres  as well as the MICHELIN Track Connect kit consisting in particular of four sensors and the central connection box, sports car owners shift into higher gear for increased driving pleasure.

In addition to the functions of Leisure mode, the MICHELIN Track Connect Expert mode allows you to monitor evolution of tyre pressures and temperatures in real-time and benefit from recommendations to improve lap times, dedicated to the vehicle, the track and the weather conditions.

Through this advice on pressures and temperatures provided by the app, the MICHELIN Track Connect solution in Expert mode allows the user to optimise the handling of its car, for more driving pleasure and better lap times. Tyre wear and consistency of performance on track are also improved, with for example a gain of 7.40 seconds after a series of 15 consecutive laps.

 Michelin has always used competition as a development laboratory. On November 2019, during the FIA Formula E Championship, Michelin launched the first connected competition tyres, fitted with integrated sensors, the MICHELIN Pilot Sport with MICHELIN Track Connect.

Today, amateur and professional rally drivers also have access to a connected tyre solution, thanks to the MICHELIN Track Connect in Motorsport mode, in combination with the connection kit and the purchase of MICHELIN Connect ready competition tyres.

 The benefits of the new Motorsport mode are optimisation of race performance by preparing the tyres with the correct pressure before the start. The app provides personalised advice according to the car model, use, type of tires fitted and driving conditions. It gives continuous information on tyre pressure on the smartphone screen, thereby limiting manual gestures before each special stage start. It also informs about the exploitation of the full potential of the tyres, by analysing the data recorded during a run and by proposing adjusted pressures for the next one. The automatic slow puncture warning increases safety during competitions.

The use of this innovation has just been validated by the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) for all national rally championships.

The MICHELIN Track Connect kit is sold in 18 countries in Expert mode, the app is already available in Leisure mode in 26 countries, spread over 4 continents. The app also includes more than 300 circuits recorded. In addition, for users wishing to switch to Expert mode by fitting Connect ready tires, the new MICHELIN Pilot Sport CUP2 Connect is available in a range of 47 sizes which are all Connect ready and therefore compatible. This now represents more than 270 vehicles in Expert mode and more than 6,000 vehicles present in the application in Leisure mode.

Renault Sport Racing and Michelin have joined forces on the new Clio Rally for safer and more efficient connected mobility. The latest Renault Sport Racing car is delivered from the factory with the MICHELIN Track Connect kit in Motorsport mode, consisting of a connection box directly installed in the car, and 4 sensors to be inserted into the tyres. Crews then only have to provide with connect ready MICHELIN rally tires and download the app on their smartphones to take full advantage of the connected tyres solution.

Hoosier Racing Tire Launches Trackattack Race Competition Tyre

Hoosier Racing Tire Launches Trackattack Race Competition Tyre

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.

Pirelli Develops New P Zero Tyres For Latest Porsche 911 GT3

Pirelli Develops New P Zero Tyres For Latest Porsche 911 GT3

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.

New Renault Clio To Run On Continental EcoContact 7 Tyres

New Renault Clio To Run On Continental EcoContact 7 Tyres

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.

Giti Tire Adds First Winter Tyre to Its EV Ready Range Ahead of 2025/26 Season

Giti Tire Adds First Winter Tyre to Its EV Ready Range Ahead of 2025/26 Season

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.