Firestone, a subsidiary of Bridgestone Americas (Bridgestone), has launched the Firestone Affinity AS tyre, its latest touring tyre designed for mainstream sedans.

The Firestone Affinity AS tyre features a tread compound that safeguards against uneven and premature wear and comes with a limited warranty of up to 65,000 miles (approx. 104,607 km). It also helps limit road noise and vibration, while the unique tread pattern with diagonal and lateral sipes is designed to improve wet-weather traction and handling. Noise-silencing grooves in the tread pattern further help reduce noise and harshness while enhancing drivability.

An important addition to the Firestone touring collection, the Affinity AS tyre is positioned between the Firestone WeatherGrip and the entry-level all-season tyres. With no winter-specific certification, the Affinity AS tyre adds to Firestone's lineup and gives drivers who value consistent all-season performance another choice. Popular automobiles with rim widths ranging from 15 to 19 inches are designed to fit the Affinity AS tyre. At launch, there are nine fitments available. Throughout 2025, the 28 total fitments will be made available in a phased rollout. The Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, Hyundai Elantra, Ford Focus and Chevrolet Impala SEL are among the vehicles whose Affinity AS tyres fit the best.

Brad Robison, Director – Consumer Product Strategy, Bridgestone Americas, said, "Our new touring offering, the Affinity AS tyre, is designed to deliver confident handling, a quiet ride and long wear life for mainstream sedans. With impressive wet-weather grip and longevity, the Affinity AS tyre is built for the drivers who appreciate strong performance and good value.”

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Bridgestone has been selected as the exclusive tyre partner for the new Lamborghini Fenomeno Roadster, a limited-production open-top supercar with only 15 units planned. As part of an ongoing technical partnership, the Japanese tyre manufacturer equipped the vehicle with two custom-engineered Bridgestone Potenza tyres designed to enhance both road and track performance. The Fenomeno Roadster is Lamborghini’s most powerful open-top model to date, featuring a 1080 CV V12 hybrid powertrain.

To manage the supercar’s extreme capabilities, Bridgestone developed a bespoke Potenza Sport ultra-high-performance tyre that balances high-speed stability with precise steering response. This fitment is joined by a new generation semi-slick Potenza tyre, engineered from Bridgestone’s motorsport expertise to deliver track-level grip while remaining fully homologated for public roads. The semi-slick option is available in 20- and 21-inch sizes.

The Potenza Sport comes in 265/30 ZRF21 front and 355/25 ZRF22 rear sizes, with an optional Run-Flat Technology that allows continued driving for 50 miles (approximately 80 km) at up to 50 mph after a puncture. Both tyre fitments feature a unique Lamborghini sidewall marking and were developed and manufactured in Italy using Bridgestone’s Virtual Tire Development technology, which improves efficiency and sustainability.

The Fenomeno Roadster was unveiled at Lamborghini Arena 2026 on the Imola Circuit, where Bridgestone served as the Official Arena Partner. This collaboration extends a six-year relationship between the two companies, beginning with the Huracan STO in 2021 and now covering the entire Lamborghini supercar range, including the Revuelto, Temerario and Fenomeno models.

Adrien Thormann, Director – OE Sales, Bridgestone EMEA, said “As Lamborghini’s Official Technical Partner, and exclusive tyre supplier for its complete supercar range, our role is to help Lamborghini drivers experience phenomenal performance. Leveraging Bridgestone’s decades-long motorsports legacy and the pedigree of our iconic Potenza family, these premium tyres deliver exactly that for the immense Fenomeno Roadster – both on the road and track.”

Christian Mastro, Director – Marketing, Lamborghini, said, “At Lamborghini, unlocking performance is never down to one component – it’s the result of precise engineering working in harmony, and tyres play a decisive role. Through deep collaboration, our partnership with Bridgestone delivers bespoke solutions that fully express each vehicle’s character and the Lamborghini DNA. The Fenomeno Roadster is the latest example of how we continue to push boundaries together.”

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Toyo Tires has been selected as the sole original equipment tyre supplier for the all-new Toyota Vios Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) launched in Malaysia. The vehicle is fitted with the Proxes CR1 tyre, marking a continued partnership rooted in decades of original equipment experience. Toyo Tires positions this selection as evidence of its benchmark status in quality, reliability and performance.

Engineered with EV-ready technology, the Proxes CR1 is designed to complement hybrid vehicles by delivering smooth handling, enhanced stability, and confidence for daily driving. Safety is prioritised through an advanced tread pattern that improves grip on both wet and dry surfaces, offering better control in varied conditions. Whether on city streets or longer journeys, the tyre provides a quiet, comfortable and stable ride.

Manufactured in Malaysia, the Proxes CR1 reflects a commitment to local driving needs while adhering to global quality standards. Available nationwide in sizes ranging from 14 to 20 inches, it suits both passenger cars and SUVs. The specification for the Toyota Vios HEV 1.5L is the Proxes CR1 B in size 195/60R16 86H.

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Continental has secured original equipment approval to supply tyres for the new Volkswagen T-Roc compact SUV. The German tyre manufacturer will provide the EcoContact 7 and EcoContact 7 S models in sizes ranging from 16 to 19 inches. For colder seasons, Volkswagen also recommends the WinterContact TS 870 P, while the AllSeasonContact 2 serves as the year-round alternative.

The EcoContact 7 summer tyre achieves high energy efficiency through a specialised rubber compound and Smart Energy Casing technology. New materials in the carcass, inner layer and sidewall reduce internal friction and lower rolling resistance, while an aerodynamically optimised sidewall further improves efficiency. Continental integrates several innovations, including a golf-inspired aerodimple structure. These small dimples reduce air turbulence behind the tyre, allowing the vehicle to use less energy.

Noise reduction comes from the Silent Pattern tread design, where engineers have carefully adjusted the spacing and angles of tread blocks to match noise frequencies generated at lower urban speeds. The result is a noticeably quieter ride for drivers, passengers, passersby and nearby residents. The energy-focused EcoContact 7 is approved in 16-, 17- and 18-inch sizes, while the sportier EcoContact 7 S comes in 16-, 17- and 19-inch variants.

For winter conditions, the recommended WinterContact TS 870 P features a tread design and innovative sipe structure that provide reliable grip on snow and ice. Its rubber compound stays flexible at low temperatures, enabling short braking distances and safe handling in wet, cold and snowy conditions. Drivers preferring a single set of tyres all year can choose the AllSeasonContact 2, which delivers balanced performance in both summer and wet winter conditions.

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Kumho Tire has commenced original equipment supply of its ECSTA PS71 SUV model for two of Škoda’s electric vehicles, the Enyaq and the Elroq. The tyre, a flagship offering within Kumho’s ECSTA line, is being delivered in two electric vehicle compatible sizes, specifically 235/55 R19 and 255/50 R19.

Designed for modern high-powered sport utility vehicles, the ECSTA PS71 SUV delivers optimised handling and braking performance in both dry and wet driving conditions. Building upon the core technology of the standard PS71 range, the SUV variant incorporates several targeted enhancements. These include a more robust structural design, an enlarged contact area for superior braking, improved fuel efficiency, an asymmetrical tread pattern and new hybrid technologies that ensure stable handling at high speeds across varied road surfaces.

The ECSTA PS71 has consistently earned good ratings in summer SUV magazine tyre tests, reinforcing Kumho’s technological capabilities. Beyond this latest supply agreement, Kumho has been broadening its original equipment tyre portfolio through strategic partnerships with major automakers. The company has recently supplied electric vehicle tyres for several flagship models, highlighting its growing technical expertise and rising premium market status.

Insoo Kim, Head of OE Sales at Kumho Tire, said, “Our supply of OE tyres to the automaker is a testament to our quality and technological prowess. We will continue to leverage our world-class quality and technology to expand our OE tyre supply for global premium carmakers.”

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