Team MRF Tyres has become the 2023 FIA European Rally Champions, achieving a remarkable victory with two rounds left in the eight-round 2023 FIA ERC Championship.
This victory solidifies MRF Tyres’ position in the world of rally championships, outperforming other well-known global tyre companies. The team’s success spans different terrains, excelling on both gravel and asphalt surfaces.
In a hard-fought season, Team MRF successfully defended its 2022 team championship title, competing against established multinational rally tyre manufacturers. After achieving dominance with nine wins in the FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championships, MRF Tyres aimed higher by entering the top-tier European competition, joining the FIA ERC in 2020. Through focused product development and strategic efforts, MRF Tyres quickly established itself as a force to be reckoned with, clinching stages, rallies, and championships. This second ERC championship win highlights the exceptional quality, performance, and durability of MRF Tyres.
Entering the 2023 FIA ERC season with high expectations following their 2022 championship win, Team MRF Tyres encountered tough competition. The season began strongly with a podium finish in the Rally Islas Canarias by Efrén Llarena and Sara Fernandez. Martins Sesks with Renars Francis dominated the fast gravel stages of Rally Liepaja and Rally Poland, showcasing the precision and reliability of the MRF tyres.
Arun Mammen, Vice-Chairman & Managing Director, MRF Ltd,” said, “I am extremely proud of the success achieved by MRF Tyres in the 2023 FIA European Rally Championship. As India’s leading tyre manufacturer, we looked to take India to the world stage and compete in the toughest rally competitions in the world. We knew it would take dedication and determination to succeed, and to do it once was a challenge, to back up that success in 2023 proves the talent and skill of the entire team at MRF Tyres. I would like to extend my congratulations to the team, and I look forward to our future challenges.”
Martins Sesks, driver of Team MRF Tyres, said, “We came into this year knowing that it would be a challenge. In the FIA European Rally Championship, you have to earn every result, as the quality of the teams and the drivers is very high. I have been proud to represent MRF Tyres in the Championship, and standing on the top step of the podium after winning at home in Latvia and Poland, has made me extremely proud. I would like to thank and I would also congratulate everyone at MRF Tyres for this Championship success.”
With consecutive victories, Team MRF Tyres positioned themselves favourably for the Team’sTeam’s Championship, further strengthened by another podium in the first Royal Rally of Scandinavia. The team secured vital Powerstage points in the Rally di Roma Capitale, solidifying their goal of a second Team’sTeam’s Championship. Notably, the MRF Tyres Dealer Team also achieved podiums and stage wins.
Having secured two wins and two podiums in six rallies, Team MRF Tyres has demonstrated its undeniable dominance throughout the year.
Giti Tire Adds First Winter Tyre to Its EV Ready Range Ahead of 2025/26 Season
- By TT News
- December 02, 2025
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.
Yokohama Begins Supplying BluEarth-FE AE30 Tyres for Nissan’s New Roox Mini-Vehicle
- By TT News
- December 02, 2025
Yokohama Rubber Co. has started supplying its BluEarth-FE AE30 tyres as original equipment for Nissan Motor’s new Roox mini-vehicle, marking the latest step in the Japanese tyre maker’s push to expand its presence in the small-car market.
The Roox, launched this year, will use the BluEarth-FE AE30 in the 155/65R14 75S size on selected grades. The model is part of Yokohama’s broader BluEarth range, which the company says is built around the idea of being “environmentally, human, and socially friendly”.
Yokohama said the tyre delivers strong fuel efficiency along with balanced performance in areas such as noise reduction, ride comfort and durability—factors that remain key for carmakers looking to improve efficiency while meeting consumer expectations.
Nissan has positioned the new Roox as a safer and more comfortable mini-vehicle, equipped with features including the Intelligent Around View Monitor, which offers moving-object detection and a 3D view to help drivers navigate tight spaces with confidence.
For Yokohama, the latest supply deal adds to a growing list of fitments across petrol, hybrid and electric models. The company has been extending its BluEarth technology across sedans, SUVs, sports cars and compact cars as part of its strategy to strengthen ties with global automakers.
Yokohama said it will continue to expand development of tyres using its BluEarth technology as it pursues stronger factory-fit relationships in Japan and overseas.
Hyundai IONIQ 9 To Run On Continental PremiumContact C Tyres
- By TT News
- November 20, 2025
Hyundai has selected Continental's PremiumContact C tyre as original equipment for its all-electric Hyundai IONIQ 9 SUV. This 21-inch tyre carries an XL marking, signifying its enhanced load capacity, a critical feature for supporting the substantial weight of an electric SUV. The design includes a rim protection rib to help prevent damage to the vehicle's wheels.
As a premium summer tyre developed for robust SUVs, the PremiumContact C combines safety, comfort and durability. Its more robust construction directly addresses the need for a higher load-bearing capacity. An innovative tread pattern, which incorporates adaptive sipe technology, is central to its performance, providing precise handling and reliable grip on both dry and wet road surfaces, even under full load. Furthermore, an extended contact patch promotes optimal pressure distribution against the road, contributing to shorter braking distances and reduced rolling noise.
A key feature for the IONIQ 9 is the integration of ContiSilent technology. This innovation actively dampens road noise within the passenger cabin, reducing intrusive sound levels by up to nine decibels for a noticeably quieter and more comfortable driving experience. This specific tyre line, sized 285/45 R21 113 V XL FR ContiSilent, has received original equipment approval for the vehicle across numerous global markets.
Volkswagen Tiguan And Tayron To Run On Hankook Ventus evo SUV Tyres
- By TT News
- November 13, 2025
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.”
Comments (0)
ADD COMMENT