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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Continental Tire the Americas, LLC has formed a strategic partnership with fleet management platform Fleetio, enabling direct access to Continental and General Tire brands through the digital platform.

The tie-up allows fleet managers using Fleetio’s system to purchase tyres, track usage, and monitor performance data across their operations, with the aim of reducing overall ownership costs.

"Continental is committed to delivering innovative solutions that help fleets operate more efficiently," said Dan Gould, Sr. Commercial Sales Manager, Continental Tire. "By partnering with Fleetio, we're making it easier than ever for fleet operators to access our trusted tire brands and make data-driven decisions that support safety, uptime, and cost savings."

Fleetio's platform handles maintenance scheduling, inspections, fuel tracking and parts management for commercial fleets. The company supports more than one million vehicles across 100-plus countries and processes over 13 million repair orders annually through a network of 110,000 repair shops.

The platform counts AAA, Stanley Steemer and Subaru of America amongst its customer base. Fleetio recently expanded its maintenance shop network into Canada as part of its push into enterprise-level fleet operations.

"We're proud to welcome Continental Tire and General Tire into Fleetio's Maintenance Shop Network," said Kendee Vaughn, Director of Vendor Partnerships at Fleetio. "Together, we're making it easier for fleets to access trusted tire brands through a single, comprehensive platform built for speed, scale, and reliability."

The partnership represents Continental's latest move to integrate digital solutions into its commercial tyre business as fleet operators increasingly seek centralised platforms to manage vehicle operations.

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