Tyre News

Pirelli didn’t invent the run-flat tyre – these have been around in various forms since the 1930s – but it’s now 20 years since the Italian firm first offered drivers run-flat tyres. The roadgoing products that Pirelli launched in 2001 drew upon lessons learned from rallying, the setting where the tyre maker first tried and tested this technology. Developing tyres containing a reinforced structure enabled rally drivers to continue driving in the event of a puncture, saving precious minutes during intense competition.

GT Radial, the major UK tyre brand of manufacturer Giti Tire, is replacing its most popular European market summer car tyre. The GT Radial FE2, which replaces the bestselling Champiro FE1, delivers 15% better wet braking than its predecessor among other improvements. The tyre will be provided in 15-18" sizes to fit major compact and family passenger cars and small and crossover SUV models. The SUV version carries an "SUV" marking on the sidewall to highlight their core market. By the end of 2021, Giti expects to have 42 different sizes in tyre retailers. In addition to the company record-breaking GT Radial Champiro FE1, the FE2 will replace a number of GT Radial FE1 City and GT Radial Savero SUV patterns.

After the event’s successful debut in 2019 at Shelsley Walsh, event organisers will be hosting two events in 2021. Supercar Fest: The Runway will take place on 30 May at Sywell Aerodrome in Northamptonshire, which will see the supercars go head-to-head on a one kilometre runway. Meanwhile, Supercar Fest: The Hill Climb will be returning to the historic Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb, in the heart of the picturesque Worcestershire countryside on 29 August 2021.

The performance stats of recently-launched electric cars highlight that electrification not only eliminates emissions, it also raises the bar in regards to sheer acceleration and instant performance. Electric saloons from manufacturers such as Audi and Porsche can hit 60 mph faster than many traditional supercars. For Goodyear, this brings exciting new challenges for tyre design and development.

Kwik Fit has launched a Kwik Fit Club membership that sees drivers pay a monthly subscription that covers all their tyre wear, including repairs and premium tyre replacement, wheel alignment and six-monthly health checks. They also have the option to include their MOT and servicing costs. Drivers can join the programme and keep track of their subscription through an app, and although they can nominate a ‘home garage’, their membership can be used at any of Kwik Fit’s 600-plus centres across the country. The new tyre subscription is being trialled in Yorkshire and the North West, with a view to rolling it out nationwide in the summer of 2021.

Major Chinese tyre manufacturer Linglong is launching a range of Master tyres designed specifically for the European market. Its new ultra-high performance tyre, the Sport Master is a big leap forward for Linglong. This is especially true of the new tyre's ability in wet road conditions. The manufacturer says the tyre has recorded a 17% improvement over its previous UHP products. The tyre gets the A grade on the tyre label for wet grip. The tyre has also been designed with technologies from Linglong's race-winning racing tyres. These technologies were proven as the Linglong Tire Drift Team Orange won two annual championships in the Japanese D1 Grand Prix 2020.