Falken has announced that its AZENIS FK510 received an “exemplary” rating from German sportscar magazine AUTOBILD in its summer tyre test, after placing third in the overall rankings. The company said its AZENIS FK510s were found to have performed particularly well in the most important area for high-performance tyres: safety, finishing high up the order in both the wet and dry braking tests. 

In the April issue, a total of eleven summer tyres, (the majority with a Y speed index) were examined by the testers. The 225/45R18 tyres were fitted to a BMW 3 series sports car and put to the test on a variety of surfaces, the release pointed out. 

On wet asphalt, the braking distance achieved was approximately 48 metres (47.9 m) in an emergency stop at 100 km/h, around two metres behind the best-placed car in the category. The tyres from Falken proved effective on the wet circular track too, the tyre finishing less than a second off the winner in the category. 

When it comes to safety, aquaplaning is always a key factor. This is an area in which the Falken tyres demonstrated their strengths: with a float speed of 98 km/h when measured on the rain-soaked surface, the FK510 was more than a match for several competitors, it said. The same goes for the aquaplaning around corners: with a lateral acceleration of 3.54 m/s2, the Falken AZENIS FK510 finished fourth. In addition to these results, the FK510 also made it into the first half of the table in the category for handling in dry conditions. 

Overall, the independent testers drew a positive balance and considered the Falken premium tyre to have “a good performance potential, very good safety reserves when aquaplaning, stable driving behaviour on wet roads, sporty and dynamic handling in dry conditions, short braking distances on wet and dry surfaces, and good driving comfort”. They awarded it third place overall with a rating of “exemplary”. 

Velizara Lilova, Team Leader Product Planning at Falken Tyre Europe GmbH, said, “We can be very proud of our third place. To do so well here, especially in such a hard-fought environment, proves that our premium tyres don’t shy away from the competition and that by focusing on driving enjoyment and safety, we are getting a lot of things right.” (TT)

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The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. has initiated supply of its GEOLANDAR X-CV tyres for Toyota Motor Corporation’s bZ, the 2026 model year North American version of Toyota’s bZ4X battery electric SUV, which launched in October 2025. The specified tyre size for this application is 235/50R20 100V. Concurrently, for the updated bZ4X model in Japan, the company remains the supplier, providing its ADVAN V61 tyre in size 235/60R18 103H as it did for the prior version.

The GEOLANDAR X-CV is engineered as a modern highway terrain tyre with M+S certification, prioritising responsive drivability and high-speed capability. Its design seeks an integrated balance of safety, comfort, durability and fuel efficiency. Tailored for electrified vehicles, these tyres bear Yokohama’s proprietary ‘E+’ sidewall engraving, signifying enhanced attributes in durability, quietness and energy conservation. This development was facilitated by the company’s HAICoLab framework, an AI-driven platform that combines human creativity with advanced data processing to accelerate digital innovation.

This selection by Toyota extends a growing partnership, as the GEOLANDAR X-CV has recently been fitted as original equipment on several other Toyota models, including the Land Cruiser 250, Grand Highlander and Tundra. This alignment supports Yokohama Rubber’s strategic goals under its medium-term management plan, Yokohama Transformation 2026. A central pillar of this plan is elevating the sales proportion of high-value-added tyres by aggressively promoting original equipment fitments for its premier ADVAN and GEOLANDAR brands globally, particularly for SUVs and pickup trucks.

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The new Volkswagen Tiguan will be outfitted with advanced Falken all-season and winter tyres. These models include the Falken EUROALL SEASON AS220 in size 215/65R17, as well as the EUROALL SEASON AS220 PRO and the winter-specific EUROWINTER HS02 PRO, both in size 235/55R18. Designed to meet rigorous dynamic standards, tyres bearing the ‘PRO’ designation are engineered for performance, with approval for speeds reaching 270 kmph. The winter PRO variant is offered in 87 configurations, while the all-season PRO version comes in 45 different sizes, accommodating a wide range of rim diameters and series profiles.

A key innovation across these tyres is the application of 4D NANO Design technology. This contributes to enhanced safety through better wet grip, improved fuel economy and increased tread longevity. Furthermore, an aerodynamically optimised sidewall with a nano-black finish provides a contemporary aesthetic.

The specific tread designs are tailored to performance categories. The standard EUROALL SEASON AS220 utilises a directional, symmetrical pattern suited for high-performance use. Its PRO counterpart features an optimised asymmetrical pattern, targeting balanced, ultra-high-performance capability in diverse conditions. This focus on versatile all-weather tyres reflects growing consumer demand, as they merge the benefits of summer and winter compounds. They deliver consistent traction on dry pavement, in rain and in light wintry conditions, presenting a practical solution for urban drivers or those in areas with moderate winters.

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Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. said it has begun supplying its BluEarth-Es ES32 tyres as original equipment to Suzuki Motor Corporation for the Wagon R mini-vehicle, following the model’s launch in Japan in December 2025 after a minor update.

The Wagon R is fitted with 165/55R15 75V tyres.

BluEarth-Es ES32 is a standard tyre under the BluEarth YOKOHAMA global tyre brand, developed around the concept of being “environmentally, human, and socially friendly”. The tyre combines fuel efficiency with extended service life by reducing uneven wear. For the Wagon R, Yokohama Rubber said the tyres use tread patterns and compounds designed to deliver both lower rolling resistance and improved wear resistance.

Suzuki’s updated Wagon R incorporates additional safety features, including the Dual Sensor Brake Support II collision-mitigation braking system. The vehicle is also designed to offer a quiet and comfortable ride, stable steering and a refined exterior.

Yokohama Rubber said it continues to develop tyres using its BluEarth technology, with a growing number of these products being factory-fitted on petrol-powered vehicles, hybrid models and electric vehicles across a range of segments.

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Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. said it has begun supplying its ADVAN Sport ZPS tyres as original equipment to Toyota Motor Corporation for the new GR Yaris, following the model’s launch in the Middle East in December 2025.

The tyre supplied is sized 225/40RF18 88Y.

ADVAN Sport ZPS is derived from the ADVAN Sport, the high-performance tyre in Yokohama Rubber’s global flagship ADVAN brand. It is a run-flat tyre with reinforced sidewalls designed to support the vehicle even in a zero-pressure condition, such as after a puncture. The company said the tyre balances ultra-high-speed handling with wet performance, quietness and comfort.

Yokohama Rubber tyres are already fitted to several models in Toyota’s GR sports car range. In recent years, the company has supplied ADVAN APEX V601 tyres for the GR Corolla and ADVAN FLEVA V701 tyres for the Corolla Cross GR Sport.

The supply forms part of Yokohama Rubber’s three-year medium-term management plan, Yokohama Transformation 2026, covering 2024 to 2026. Under the plan, the consumer tyre business is seeking to increase the proportion of high value-added products, with a focus on expanding original equipment supply of ADVAN tyres and GEOLANDAR tyres for SUVs and pick-up trucks.

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