Hankook has expanded its UHP winter tyre line-up with the new Winter i*cept evo 3 for cars and the Winter i*cept evo 3 X for SUVs.

This new development focuses not only on the changing weather conditions in Europe, but also on the requirements of hybrid and electric vehicles, as manufacturers which will be fitted with the Winter i*cept evo 3 as “ev” version ex works in future. For the first time, the company’s development engineers opted for a directional tread pattern on their new flagship winter tyres. This not only provides excellent grip on snow, but also helps to effectively reduce the risk of aquaplaning.

“With the Winter i*cept evo 3 and Winter i*cept evo 3 X, our development engineers have created two lines of winter tyres with a wide range of product features that are able to respond particularly well to the changing and increasingly demanding winter weather conditions,” says Sanghoon Lee, President of Hankook Tire Europe. “We are therefore confident that these new tread patterns will meet our customers’ high expectations.

“European winters have changed as a result of climate change – mild temperatures alternate with sudden onsets of winter that bring frost and snow, and dry days are unexpectedly interrupted by heavy rainfall,” says Klaus Krause, head of the ETC European Research and Development Center in Hanover, Germany. Even wet leaves on the road surface can quickly spell dangerous road conditions. This makes it all the more important for responsible drivers to use the right tyres during the cold season, and ensure they are well equipped for all winter weather conditions. “A highlight of the third i*cept evo series is hidden in the tread compound. In addition to natural resins, special additives are also used here to ensure the tyre stays flexible at all times, especially at low temperatures, while at the same time achieving significant improvements in grip on wet surfaces,” Krause continues.

This is also confirmed by the latest winter tyre test from Europe's leading automobile magazine. The magazine Auto Bild tested a total of 56 tyres in the size 245/45 R 18 100 V on a BMW 5 Series. The result: only six treads could be recommended without reservation and awarded the highest rating "Exemplary", among them the new Hankook Winter i*cept evo 3.

The tyres are highly adapted to winter conditions thanks to technical innovations, particularly in terms of the compounds used and the tread pattern itself. The use of natural pine resins ensures the necessary flexibility at a very wide range of temperatures, prevents hardening and thus helping to improve grip on winter and wet roads due to increased elasticity of the tyre’s contact surface. In combination with the directional tread pattern, grip on snow and wet surfaces is optimised even further. The particularly efficient displacement and drainage of water (or slush) via the two main drainage grooves, which are 20% wider in the V-shaped tread pattern, play an important role in further reducing the risk of aquaplaning. The braking distance on wet roads has also been reduced by 7%, and on snowy roads by as much as 10% compared to previous tread patterns. In addition to the natural resins, a highly dispersible nano-silica compound is used, supplemented by other traction-enhancing additives. Along with the further optimised ratio of positive to negative elements in the tread pattern, this makes the Winter i*cept evo 3 very well equipped for the highly varied road conditions created by the European winter.

In addition to the high-grip tread compound, the further optimised arrangement of 3D sipes in conjunction with the directional tread pattern ensures reliable traction and lateral driving stability on snowy roads. The snow traction performance is supported by an increased number of ice-axe shaped tread block edges that grip the snow effectively.

The minimisation of block movements, achieved by the further optimised arrangement and design of the 3D sipes, has a positive effect on abrasion, as well as ensuring a high level of driving stability. The maximised edge effects also improve the general handling properties.

The new Winter i*cept evo 3 series was developed especially for use on powerful vehicles with a lot of torque. A reinforced carcass structure ensures high driving stability and a high-strength bead core maintains optimised positioning on the rim. In combination with the wide tyre shoulder and the optimised block design, this ensures more precise steering response and improved grip when cornering, as well as optimised handling even on dry roads. The shoulder area of the new Hankook UHP winter tyre, with wide interlocking shoulder blocks, also provides the tread’s necessary block stiffness, thereby increasing cornering stability even at higher speeds.

Both tread patterns are mainly manufactured in Hankook’s modern European production facility in Hungary. When it comes to market, the Winter i*cept evo 3 tread pattern for cars will be available in 50 sizes from 17 to 21 inches with tread widths from 195 to 295 mm and aspect ratios from 30 to 60 in the speed indices from H to W. The SUV version, the Winter i*cept evo 3 X, is currently available in 45 sizes from 17 to 22 inches with tread widths from 215 to 315 mm and aspect ratios from 30 to 65 in speed indices H to W. Over the course of next year the line-up will be further expanded, and the predecessor gradually replaced.

Apollo Tyres Ltd has secured a one-season shirt-sleeve sponsorship agreement with AS Monaco, one of French football's most successful clubs, to increase awareness for its premium Vredestein brand.

This partnership will leverage Ligue 1's ranking as the fifth most watched football league in the world to raise awareness of Vredestein's award-winning products among a large audience in France and abroad. On November 22, AS Monaco's home league game against Brest will have the new sleeve branding for the first time. The Vredestein brand will be heavily promoted at Stade Louis-II for the 2024–2025 season, including on player sleeves and LED screens around the field. Exclusive social media initiatives will further help make the brand prominent, reaching a large and interested audience.

Yves Pouliquen, Vice President – Commercial, Europe, Apollo Tyres, said, “This partnership is an exciting opportunity to strengthen Vredestein’s presence in one of our key markets. AS Monaco’s rich history and commitment to excellence mirror our focus on performance and innovation. We look forward to building a successful relationship with the club and celebrating its achievements this season.”

Thibaut Chatelard, Marketing and Revenue Director, AS Monaco, said: “We are delighted to welcome Apollo Tyres and its Vredestein brand to the family of AS Monaco partners. This collaboration makes sense in view of the values we share, such as the constant pursuit of performance and excellence. There’s no doubt that this new support will be precious for the rest of our season, which promises to be thrilling.”

Nexen Tire, a leading global tyre manufacturer, has launched the Nexen N´Blue S tyre, adding to its range of summer tyres and providing drivers with advanced safety, energy efficiency and superior driving stability in wet and dry conditions.

Developed using highly dispersed silica and equipped with an optimised structural design, the Nexen N´Blue S tyre provides reduced road noise and improved driving stability. The tyre features an innovative tread compound, formulated with hydrophilic fillers and microstructure-controlled polymers, and provides lower rolling resistance and exceptional dry and wet grip. The tyre also excelled in test results by demonstrating an 11 percent improvement in wet braking distance compared to its predecessor.

Apart from providing excellent performance, the Nexen  N´Blue S also scores high on the sustainability index. The tyre provides an eco-friendly solution for environmentally conscious drivers by minimising fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. The Nexen N´Blue S summer tyre is available in 58 sizes, which makes it compatible with different types of vehicles.

Kumho Tire Vietnam Co., Ltd. is all set to expand its investment project in Binh Duong province of Vietnam, with the phase 3 of expansion commencing in early 2025. This was discussed at a recent meeting between Vo Van Minh, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee (PPC), and Kim Hyun Ho, General Director of Kumho Tire Vietnam Co., Ltd.

The meeting was held on 13 November at the Administrative Centre of Binh Duong province, as per an official statement. Apart from the company’s investment till date and the planned investment for phase 3, the two also discussed about the challenges and obstacles regarding procedures and processes to have more land funds to expand the manufacturing plant, along with taking measures to tackle the obstacles. Kim Hyun Ho also conveyed to the PPC Chairman that Kumho Tire Vietnam Co., Ltd. belongs to South Korea's Kumho Tire Group and is currently ranked 10th in the car tyre manufacturing industry.

The company had invested in a tyre manufacturing plant in My Phuoc 3 Industrial Park in 2007 with a total initial investment of USD 308 million, which was supplemented by another USD 300 million in 2021. This extended the factory scale to six hectares and increased the production capacity to 12.5 million tyres annually. With the expansion in early 2025, the company will raise its total investment to USD 908 million and increase the factory's production capacity to 17 million tyres annually. The expanded capacity is expected to be operational by early 2026.

Yokohama-ATG, a leading manufacturer of all-terrain and off-the-road tyres, has expanded its Galaxy MFS 101 SDS range of forklift tyres with the launch of white, non-marking tyres.

The Galaxy MFS 101 SDS range consists of puncture-proof SDS tyres with extended wear limits designed for high-intensity working shifts and long durability. These are premium, solid rubber tyres developed for tough demands, a long service life and high driving comfort. The addition of white, non-marking tyres is specifically aimed at clean working environments.

Marked by a 3-stage construction process, the forklift tyres feature reduced heat build-up, effective shock absorption and minimised vibrations. The pattern design guarantees a smooth ride and good steerability thanks to its continuous centre lug and circumferential grooves. Furthermore, the flat walls and wide flat profile offer excellent stability when using a forklift for vertical stacking. The tyres are also equipped with anti-slip steel beads for improved rim fitment

In a case study on a CAT 2.5-tonne forklift that was used for handling heavy pallets on asphalt, the Galaxy MFS 101 SDS outshone the competitors with impressive performance. The tyre delivered an approximate 900 working hours before replacement against competitors’ 500 working hours.