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.

The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., has launched the ADVAN WINTER V907, a new ultra-high-performance winter tyre, as an afterparts tyre for the Mercedes-AMG E-Class luxury sedan.

The newly developed ADVAN WINTER V907 is designed to provide not only excellent performance on snow but excellent comfort and stability even when driving on dry roads at the high speeds. The tyre features a specially designed tread pattern with V-shaped grooves and 3D sipes as well as a centre rib. These features work in tandem with a special tread compound that combines a cap compound for excellent snow performance and an undertread compound for handling stability on dry roads.

To be sold initially through Mercedes-AMG dealerships in Europe, the new tyre will be available in size 245/45R19 102V for front and size 275/40R19 105V for rear. Both the sizes were jointly developed with Mercedes-AMG and carries the ‘MO1A’ mark on the sides, indicating Mercedes-AMG’s approval. Based on the new afterparts tyre, the company also intends to develop an ADVAN WINTER V907 replacement tyre in a larger variety of sizes. Sales will begin in 2025, mostly in Europe, and will be introduced sequentially at tyre dealers.

BYD has selected Continental’s PremiumContact C tyres as original equipment for its Seal U electric SUV. The electric SUV will come factory-equipped with the premium tyres in size 235/50 R19 99V.

The PremiumContact C tyre provides a pleasant and quiet ride. The rubber compound's unique silica lowers rolling resistance and friction by reducing energy absorption through the tyre while the vehicle is moving. This results in a long tread life and good energy efficiency. Together, a noise-reducing design and noise breakers in the tread pattern greatly reduce the tyre's rolling noise. The PremiumContact C offers a low-impact ride even at high speeds because of its rounded contact patch, which uniformly distributes pressure throughout the tyre.

Continental has been refining tyres for over a decade in an effort to produce ever-lower rolling resistance, minimal rolling noise and high mileage. All of Continental's tyres are able to sustainably lower emissions from combustion cars while still meeting the specifications for electric vehicles. Five most successful EV manufacturers in the Asia-Pacific area use Continental tyres as original equipment, as per the company.

Toyo Tires has introduced the Proxes Sport 2, a high-performance summer tyre designed for sports cars, SUVs and CUVs.

The new tyre features a redesigned profile and advanced tread compounds to enhance performance in wet and dry conditions. Compared to its predecessor, the Proxes Sport 2 offers improved handling, shorter braking distances and a quieter ride.

“The Proxes Sport 2 boasts a 15 percent shorter stopping distance in wet conditions and 10 percent shorter on dry surfaces along with improved handling performance over its predecessor, the Proxes Sport,” said Kevin Arima, senior manager consumer products, Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. “These improvements enhance the driver’s experience rain or shine on twisty canyon roads or around town.”

The Proxes Sport 2 will be available in over 75 sizes, ranging from 17 to 22 inches, in February 2025.

Atturo Tire has announced the expansion of its AZ810 all-weather tyre line with the addition of 24 new sizes. This expansion brings the total number of AZ810 sizes to 58, catering to a wider range of vehicles, including sedans, sports cars, SUVs, CUVs, hybrids and electric vehicles.

Designed to outperform traditional summer UHP tyres, especially in colder temperatures, the AZ810 offers exceptional wet traction, consistent grip and a smooth ride. The tyre’s versatility and style make it popular for drivers seeking high-performance tyres that can handle various driving conditions.