GAC Trumpchi’s Xiangwang S7 Hybrid SUV To Run On Yokohama Rubber’s ADVAN V61 Tyres

GAC Trumpchi’s Xiangwang S7 Hybrid SUV To Run On Yokohama Rubber’s ADVAN V61 Tyres

The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., has started supplying its ADVAN V61 tyres for use as original equipment (OE) on the new Xiangwang S7, a plug-in hybrid SUV that was launched in China by GAC Trumpchi in March 2025. The EV will be equipped with 255/50R20 109V size tyres.

Yokohama Rubber's premium SUV tyre, the ADVAN V61, is part of their global flagship ADVAN brand line. Along with a high degree of fuel and energy economy, handling stability and quietness, the tyre provides ADVAN's renowned premium-grade driving performance, enabling heavyweight SUVs to travel long distances and drive comfortably in cities. The ADVAN V61 is offered as original equipment on a number of high-end SUVs, and a variety of sizes are available for the replacement market in addition to the size used on the Xiangwang S7.

Designed with families in mind, the Xiangwang S7 is a new plug-in SUV that offers a remarkable 1,150 km total driving range, a gradability of more than 40 percent, and an acceleration time of 5.8 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h. Furthermore, remote-controlled and automated parking are supported by its in-house intelligent driving system.

Continental Launches CrossContact A/T² Off-Road Tyre In India

Continental Launches CrossContact A/T² Off-Road Tyre In India

Continental Tires has launched its new all-terrain tyre, the CrossContact A/T², in India, making the country one of the first global markets to receive it.

The tyre was introduced during Continental Tires Track Day 2026 at Dot Goa 4X4. Designed for 4x4 and utility vehicles, the CrossContact A/T² targets drivers seeking off-road capability alongside on-road performance across India’s varied terrain.

The launch underlines Continental’s strategic focus on the Indian market and its expansion in the 4x4 segment. According to the company, the CrossContact A/T² has been developed to deliver enhanced traction, durability and grip, supported by its proprietary Traction Plus technology.

“India’s 4x4 vehicle segment is experiencing sharp growth, driven by a growing passion for adventure and long-distance travel. With our ‘In the Market, For the Market’ approach, we continually innovate to meet the demands of Indian road conditions and deliver enhanced driving experiences. The CrossContact A/T² delivers high performance across the diverse terrains and topographies that India offers,” said Samir Gupta, managing director, Continental Tires India.

Gupta added: “India is the first market globally to introduce the CrossContact A/T². This decision is a testament to Continental’s commitment to the Indian market. We remain committed to delivering cutting-edge solutions tailored to our Indian customers.”

The CrossContact A/T² has been engineered for use across mud, gravel, sand, wet highways and rocky trails. The tyre features a BlackPaw compound designed to maintain elasticity across temperature ranges, self-cleaning shoulders to expel debris, rigid tread block geometry to improve braking and reduce hydroplaning, and reinforced sidewalls for resistance to cuts and abrasions.

The tyre is available through Continental’s authorised dealerships and more than 200 brand stores nationwide, in sizes ranging from 215/70 R15 to 285/60 R18, covering a broad range of SUV and 4x4 models.

KGM’s Musso Pickup Truck To Run On Nexen Tyres

KGM’s Musso Pickup Truck To Run On Nexen Tyres

NEXEN TIRE, a major global tyre manufacturer, is now providing original equipment tyres for KG Mobility's Musso pickup truck, reinforcing its strategic expansion into the large SUV and light truck segments. The company is supplying two specific models, the N’PRIZ RH7 and the ROADIAN HTX RH5, each engineered to address the unique and demanding requirements of pickup truck performance across various terrains.

These tyres are designed to support the Musso’s capacity for heavy payloads, exceeding 700 kg, and to endure challenging driving conditions while maintaining structural integrity and consistent stability. The N’PRIZ RH7, offered in 18- and 20-inch sizes for higher vehicle trims, focuses on confident wet-weather driving. Its pattern utilises four wide circumferential grooves to efficiently channel water away and resist hydroplaning, while its block design carefully balances road noise, fuel economy and responsive handling. This model has a proven history, having also been selected for the Rexton Sports line.

Complementing this, the 17-inch ROADIAN HTX RH5 caters to base trim specifications, prioritising durability and comfort for long-haul and load-bearing use. Its construction includes a widened shoulder and sidewall to better manage heat buildup and enhance tyre longevity. The tread pattern and three-dimensional architecture are specifically tuned to deliver reliable performance suited to regional road and weather conditions. This OE supply for the Musso joins NEXEN TIRE’s growing portfolio, which includes fitments for vehicles like the Kia Tasman, Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Gladiator, and is supported by a dedicated global lineup of SUV and pickup tyre products such as the ROADIAN HTX and ATX series.

John Bosco (Hyeon Suk) Kim, CEO, NEXEN TIRE, said, “For pickup trucks like the Musso, tyre performance is particularly important due to the payload requirements and diverse driving environments. By developing OE tyres tailored to specific vehicle characteristics, we will continue to expand our collaborations with automakers in the multipurpose vehicle segment, which includes pickup trucks and SUVs.”

Toyota bZ BEV Rolls Out On Yokohama GEOLANDAR X-CV Tyres In North America

Toyota bZ BEV Rolls Out On Yokohama GEOLANDAR X-CV Tyres In North America

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.

Volkswagen Tiguan Equipped With Falken All-Season Tyres

Volkswagen Tiguan Equipped With Falken All-Season Tyres

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.