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March 17, 2014 02:00 AM

Briefs

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    New Blizzak WS80 debuts this summer

    NASHVILLE, Tenn.—Bridgestone Americas will debut this summer its latest winter tire for cars and minivans. The studless Blizzak WS80 features the tire maker's “multi-cell” rubber compound technology.

    The tire will be available in 48 T- and H-rated sizes, with rim diameters ranging from 15 to 18 inches, Nashville-based Bridgestone said. The WS80 features the tiremaker's Multi-Cell Com-pound, which the tire maker said is made with a hydrophilic coating that helps to combat slippage on ice, snow and slush.

    The coating allows the compound to attract water, drawing it away from the road, while bite particles added to the compound act as microscopic studs to help grip the road and improve ice braking, Bridgestone said.

    Other features include a tire footprint optimized for winter driving; an advanced tread pattern with deep tread grooves; and an advanced rubber compound that the company said works at a molecular level to remain flexible in the cold.

    Tire makers pick up design awards

    AKRON—Three tire makers have been recognized for their tire designs by the Chicago Anthenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and the European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies.

    Cooper Tire & Rubber Co., Nexen Tire America Inc. and Vredestein Tires North American Inc. all received “Good Design Awards” from the museum for their respective tire designs. The tire makers were among 700 recipients of the award selected from several thousand entries from more than 48 countries.

    Cooper earned its award, in the transportation category, for the CS3 Touring tire, while Nexen was honored for its N9000, N'Priz SH9J and N'Blue eco high-performance tires, and Vredestein for its Wintrac X-treme tire.

    The Good Design Award recognizes new consumer products designed and manufactured in Europe, Asia, Africa, and North and South America, Findlay, Ohio-based Coo-per said, and is based on criteria such as the level of innovation, form, materials, construction, concept, function and quality as well as product appearance and aesthetic appeal.

    Giti brings summer tire to N. America

    RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif.—Giti Tire USA Ltd. has launched the GT Radial Champiro SX2 extreme summer performance tire in North America. Giti said the Champiro SX2 is developed for driving enthusiasts who want higher levels of traction, response and driving control in dry and wet conditions.

    Backed by a five-year limited manufacturer's warranty, Giti said, the Champiro SX2 lineup includes six popular sizes, including 195/-50ZR15, 245/40ZR17, 215/45Z-R17, 225/45ZR17, 235/45ZR17 and 265/35ZR18, with more sizes currently under development. Fitments include: Honda Civic Si; Honda S2000; Mitsubishi Lancer Evo; Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V; Scion FR-S; Subaru BRZ; and Subaru Impreza WRX.

    Features of the new tire include:

    • A dual block design with extra wide shoulder blocks to increase cornering stability and grip on all road surfaces;
    • A tread compound that includes silica technology, providing adhesion to dry and wet roads; and
    • Three wide circumferential grooves to provide wet traction by reducing the risk of aquaplaning.

    The gradient step design of the tread's central ribs helps to reduce heat generation, which has a detrimental effect on the life and performance of the tire, Giti said.

    Hankook gains BMW X5 fitment

    MUNICH, Germany—German car maker BMW A.G. has selected Hankook's Ventus S1 evo² SUV tire as an OE fitment on four-wheel-drive versions of its 2014 X5 luxury “sports activity” vehicles. The Hankook fitment—in size 255/55R18 109V XL—is expected to be offered on the X5 X-Drive 35i, 30d and 40d models, Hankook said.

    The X5 fitment is Hankook's fifth OE fitment, joining the BMW 1, 3 and 5 series and Mini. The tire features a multiple tread radius and double-layer rayon carcass for maximum tire contact area under all conditions.

    The tread design incorporates three-layer block design element for improved tire contact area as tire wear progresses, as well as a silica compound for improved wet traction, wear characteristics and thermal aging resistance, according to Hankook.

    Goodyear, Pirelli get 'Stang OE nod

    DETROIT—Ford Motor Co. has selected Goodyear as the OE tire supplier for the base V6 and turbocharged “EcoBoost” versions of the 2015 Mustang and Pirelli Tire North America Inc. for the V8-powered 2015 Mustang GT.

    The redesigned 2015 model is the latest iteration of the car maker's iconic muscle car marking its 50th year in production this year. Goodyear's contract is for the Eagle F1 Asymmetric All-Season tires in 17-, 18-, 19- and 20-inch sizes, while the contract with Pirelli covers 19-inch versions of the Pirelli P Zero and P Zero Nero All-Season.

    The 3.7-liter V6 model is fitted with 235/55R17 all-seasons standard, with a 235/50R18 and 255/-40R19 all-seasons and 265/35R20 summer optional, along with a performance package fitment of 255/40R19 summer. The 2.3-liter, 4-cylinder turbo-charged EcoBoost model is fitted with 235/55R17 all-season standard, with a 235/50R18 all-season optional.

    The 5-liter V8-powered GT gets several fitment options, starting with 235/50R18 all-season as the standard fitment, with 255/40R19 all-season and 265/35R20 summer options, Ford said, plus a performance package with separate sizes front and rear: 255/40ZR19 front and 275/40ZR19 rear.

    Pirelli offers both the P Zero and P Zero Nero All-Season in W speed ratings for the 19-inch fitments along with an XL-rated version of the P Zero in size 265/35ZR20 99Y.

    Nexen, Goodyear to fit Chrysler 200

    STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich.—Chrysler Group L.L.C. has extended the OE supply agreement for the 2015 Chrysler 200 with Nexen Tire Corp. and Goodyear. The 2015 model year vehicle will be fitted with Nexen's CP671 high-performance, all-season tire.

    Three fitment sizes will be available, including 215/55R17, 235/45R18 and 235/40R19.

    The CP671 is built with four circumferential grooves in the tread for anti-hydroplaning performance. Other features of the tire help to suppress noise and improve comfort, Nexen said. Various models will be fitted with the Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max in size 215/55R17.

    The Fuel Max features a fuel-saving tread compound and Wet and Dry Tread Zones to enhance all-season traction.

    Conti gets OE on three VW models

    HANNOVER, Germany—Volkswagen A.G. has approved three Continental-brand summer tires for OE fitment for three of its models—the Golf 7, CC and Beetle.

    According to Conti, the Golf 7 will be fitted with 15- and 16-inch versions of the ContiEcoContact 5 and ContiPremiumContact 5; the CC will be fitted with the 17-inch ContiSportContact 5 and ContiEcoContact 5; and the Beetle will be fitted with the 20-inch ContiSportContact 5 tire.

    The tires for the Golf 7 and CC contracts will be made in Europe, while the tire for the Beetle will come from Conti's plant in Mount Vernon, Ill., the tire maker said. Depending on the design, the tires are developed for low fuel consumption—for the Golf 7 Blue Motion, for example—comfortable driving or sporty handling, Conti said, including the Beetle fitment. For the more luxury-oriented CC, Volkswagen uses tires with “ContiSeal” technology, which seals minor damage to the tire by itself.

    Petlas expands winter tire lines

    KIRSEHIR, Turkey—Turkish tire manufacturer Petlas Tire Corp. has expanded its winter tire offerings with 10 new sizes for its Snowmaster line and the debut of the Explero W671 for 4x4s and SUVs.

    The new Snowmaster sizes are for 17- and 18-inch rims, Petlas said, expanding that line to 70 sizes from 13 to 18 inches in rim diameter in two patterns—Snowmaster W601 and W651. The Explero W671 is designed to fit a wide selection of 4x4s and SUVs, according to Petlas.

    The tire's tread includes a large number of grooves and sipes to provide increased grip and braking performance on snowy and icy roads. The tires are available to North American dealers either in containerloads or through existing distributors, Petlas said.

    i3 electric vehicle to roll on Ecopias

    BRUSSELS—Germany's BMW A.G. has selected Bridgestone Corp. as the exclusive tire development partner for its i3 electric vehicle, a partnership that will focus on Bridgestone's “ologic” larger-diameter/- narrower tread concept.

    The i3 is a four-passenger city car that weighs 2,630 pounds and derives power from a 22 kWh Li-ion battery pack, which yields 7-second 0-60 mph acceleration.

    The car rides on 155/70R19 84Q Bridgestone Ecopia EP500 tires as standard equipment, although Bridge-stone and BMW offer three other sizes—175/60R19 86Q, 155/60R20 80Q and 175/55R20 85Q, along with two winter varieties, the Blizzak LM-500 and NV, the latter a studless tire with Bridgestone's “Multicell” rubber compound.

    Bridgestone said combining a large diameter with a narrow tread pattern has several advantages, including lower rolling resistance and reduced aerodynamic drag.

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