The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. is now providing its GEOLANDAR X-CV tyres as original equipment for the newly redesigned Lexus RZ battery electric vehicle (BEV) in North America. This highway terrain tyre, sized 235/50R20 100V, is engineered to deliver high-speed capability and drivability without compromising on safety, comfort, durability or energy efficiency, and it carries the M+S mud and snow rating. For the Japanese-market RZ, the company continues to fit the ADVAN V61 model in specific front and rear sizes, as it did for the prior version.

These GEOLANDAR X-CV tyres feature Yokohama’s proprietary ‘E+’ sidewall engraving, denoting technologies tailored for electrified vehicles, which prioritise durability, quiet operation and improved energy consumption. Their development was supported by HAICoLab, Yokohama’s AI-driven innovation framework that combines human creativity with artificial intelligence to accelerate design and discovery.

This selection by Lexus for the RZ follows recent adoptions of the GEOLANDAR X-CV on other Lexus models, including the LX and GX550. The partnership aligns with Yokohama Rubber’s strategic medium-term management plan, Yokohama Transformation 2026. A central pillar of this plan is for the consumer tyre division to increase its sales of high-value-added products, actively promoting both the global flagship ADVAN brand and the SUV-focused GEOLANDAR brand for original equipment placement on new vehicles worldwide.

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Hoosier Racing Tire has launched the TrackAttack Race, a new competition tyre designed exclusively for track use, expanding its TrackAttack product family.

The tyre was unveiled at the PRI Show in Indianapolis on 12 December and is positioned as a pure racing option aimed at drivers seeking faster lap times and greater consistency under high-performance conditions.

According to the company, the TrackAttack Race has been engineered to deliver quicker lap times than Hoosier’s previous A7 and R7 models, while maintaining stability and minimal performance fall-off over extended use. It is available in two compounds: A8, a medium compound focused on maximum race traction, and R8, a harder compound designed for higher heat tolerance and durability.

The TrackAttack Race is the second product under the TrackAttack name, following the launch of the TrackAttack Pro in September 2024.

The Pro version is intended for dual street and track use, while the TrackAttack Race is explicitly built for competition environments and is not recommended for highway use. Both tyres are DOT-approved, though their applications differ.

“Hoosier has traditionally named tyres after compounds or internal codes, which wasn’t always easy for consumers to navigate. Our new family naming makes it easier to understand each product’s core purpose,” said Joerg Burfien, president and chief executive of Hoosier Racing Tire. “Last year, we introduced the TrackAttack Pro, a streetable track tyre suitable for highway use. Now we’re adding a pure competition option with the TrackAttack Race.”

Mike Edmiston, head of research and development at Hoosier Racing Tire, said the new product reflects lessons learned from previous generations and extensive real-world testing. “Each previous generation tyre has taught us something new, and we’ve applied those lessons to deliver the consistency and performance that drivers demand,” he said.

The TrackAttack Race incorporates Hoosier’s H-DNA technology and is available in 51 sizes, covering rim diameters from 13 inches to 21 inches. The tyre is intended for dedicated track applications and is aimed at drivers competing in high-intensity racing environments.

Hoosier Racing Tire is a wholly owned subsidiary of Continental AG.

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Pirelli has introduced two new versions of its P Zero tyre for the latest Porsche 911 GT3, extending its supply across the entire 911 range. The P Zero R and the P Zero Trofeo RS have been developed to meet specific performance needs, using experience gained from tyres created for the Porsche 911 GT3 RS.

The P Zero R is designed for daily use on high-performance cars. Its compound, developed for the new GT3, is intended to deliver strong grip on varied surfaces, including in wet conditions. Pirelli says the tyre operates across a wide temperature range and maintains performance even in less favourable situations. The structure differs between the front and rear tyres to balance steering precision, sensitivity and control, especially under high loads.

The P Zero Trofeo RS sits at the top of the P Zero range and targets track driving. The tyre is designed to sustain grip and precision over long sessions, even under demanding conditions. Pirelli reports that expertise from its work on the Trofeo RS for the 911 GT3 RS has been applied to the version now created for the latest 911 GT3.

Tailor-made versions of the Trofeo RS have also been produced for other models, including the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT. Both new tyres for the GT3 feature Pirelli’s Perfect Fit strategy, which focuses on bespoke development for each vehicle model. Each tyre carries an “N” marking on the sidewall to reflect its dedicated development for the 911 GT3.

Development took place using virtual techniques at Pirelli’s research centres in Milan and Breuberg, reducing both development time and the number of physical prototypes by 30 per cent.

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The new Renault Clio will feature Continental's EcoContact 7 tyre as original equipment for its global launch. Approved in numerous countries, the compact car will be fitted with this model in two specific sizes: 195/60 R16 and 205/45 R18. Both variants have earned the highest possible ratings on the EU tyre label for fuel efficiency and low rolling noise, underscoring their performance credentials.

This high performance stems from several integrated technological advancements. A newly formulated rubber compound works in concert with Continental’s Smart Energy Casing, which employs innovative materials in the tyre’s internal structure to minimise friction and rolling resistance. Further efficiency gains are achieved through an aerodynamically refined sidewall. This design incorporates a dimpled texture, inspired by the surface of a golf ball, to smooth airflow and reduce the energy required to keep the tyre in motion.

Alongside its energy-saving properties, the tyre is engineered for refined acoustics. A specifically designed Silent Pattern tread layout alters the arrangement and angles of the tread blocks to target and dampen the frequency of noise typically produced during low-speed urban driving. This focus results in a reduction of rolling noise, enhancing comfort for those inside the vehicle and contributing to a quieter environment for pedestrians and city residents alike.

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Giti Tire has expanded its AdvanZtech EV Ready line with the launch of the GitiWinterW2, its first winter tyre designed for electric, hybrid and conventional vehicles. The company said the new model is now available for ordering for the 2025/26 winter season.

The GitiWinterW2 will be offered in 17 sizes ranging from 15- to 20-inch rims. All products carry the AdvanZtech EV Ready sidewall mark, indicating suitability for internal combustion vehicles as well as mild hybrid, plug-in hybrid and battery-electric models.

The range is intended to cover a wide span of the European car parc, from small cars such as the Fiat 500e to larger vehicles including the Tesla Model 3, Volkswagen Tiguan and Volvo XC60 PHEV. Giti said each tyre has been tuned for EV-specific demands such as torque management, while maintaining low rolling resistance and strong performance on snow and wet roads.

The manufacturer highlighted three core attributes for the GitiWinterW2: a quiet and comfortable ride, strong safety characteristics and precise control in winter conditions.

The winter tyre joins the GitiSportS2 and GitiSynergyH2 summer patterns in the EV Ready strategy first announced in August 2024. All three products were developed using Giti’s AdvanZtech R&D framework at its European Research & Development Centre in Hannover, Germany.

Fabio Pecci-Boriani, Deputy General Manager for Product Planning PCR and LTR at Giti Tire’s European R&D Centre, said the company aimed to give both drivers and dealers greater clarity as electrification reshapes the market. “The Giti brand was among the first in the mid-market to introduce an EV ready concept, ensuring maximum flexibility and product clarity for dealers and peace of mind for drivers.”

He added that winter conditions pose specific challenges for electrified cars. “As is proven winter can have an impact on the performance of part-electric and electric vehicles with lower temperatures reducing battery range and immediate torque levels being tricky on slippery roads, the Giti AdvanZtech EV ready GitiWinterW2 goes a long way to addressing these issues.”

Giti said its EV Ready strategy remains a central pillar of its European product plans as the shift towards hybrid and battery-electric vehicles accelerates.

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