Hankook Tire has launched the fourth generation Ventus evo, a sporty ultra-high-performance summer tyre for changeable conditions.

Featuring a new mixture developed using artificial intelligence (AI), the tyre provides excellent wet grip and low rolling resistance. The wide drainage grooves work in tandem with the optimised tyre contact area to facilitate good evacuation of water and reduce the risk of aquaplaning, while the extra-rigid sidewalls and tread blocks provide stability during cornering and shorten the dry braking distance by six percent compared to the third-generation tyre. The innovative mixture, on the other hand, ensures low rolling resistance despite the high grip. This reduces fuel consumption and provides a 32 percent increase in mileage compared to the third-generation tyre.

Klaus Krause, Vice President and Head of Europe Technical Centre, Hankook, said, “With the fourth generation of the Ventus evo, we are setting new standards. We decided early on to leverage AI in the development of tyre mixtures and were able to successfully transform the laboratory results into high-quality industrial processes. Today, we’re seeing the benefits of that effort. With its innovative mixture ratio, the Ventus evo overcomes traditional trade-offs, delivering uncompromising excellence in performance, safety and mileage.”

The new Ventus evo and Ventus evo SUV will be available in stores in 58 sizes by this summer, with plans to expand the offering to 94 sizes – from 17 to 23 inches in widths from 205 to 325 in the 65 to 30 series and with speed indexes from V to (Y) – by the end of next year.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Cooper Tires has unveiled the all-new Discoverer HT, a highway mixed-terrain tyre engineered for drivers who depend on their vehicles daily. Designed specifically for popular trucks and SUVs, the tyre was created to handle the tasks that let drivers take full advantage of their vehicle's potential.

The tyre features tall, straight sidewalls and an optimised footprint that places a maximum amount of tread in contact with the road, helping provide confident handling and stability even when carrying heavy loads. Engineered for long-lasting value without compromising performance, the mixed-terrain tyre carries a 70,000-mile/115,000-km limited treadwear warranty on Metric sizes and a 55,000-mile/90,000-km limited treadwear warranty on LT-Metric sizes. Its durable construction is designed to support hauling, towing and carrying heavy loads, while the optimised tread footprint and sidewall design deliver stable handling. 3D Micro-Gauge technology enhances traction throughout the tyre's life, and the long-wearing tread is designed for durability and a quiet ride even on rough and uneven surfaces.

The Discoverer HT will be available in 19 popular sizes beginning in October 2026, with an additional 16 LT sizes anticipated in the first quarter of 2027. Rim sizes range from 16 to 22 inches, and the tyre is offered at local Cooper authorised retailers and online store. It is manufactured at three US facilities: Texarkana, Arkansas; Findlay, Ohio and Tupelo, Mississippi. Cooper also introduced a refreshed brand identity signalling strength, purpose, and confidence, with branded merchandise and apparel available through a dedicated page on the Goodyear website.

Brad Heim, Vice President – Product Development Global Consumer, Goodyear, said, "The toughest jobs aren't always the biggest ones. They're the ones you show up for every day. Constructed for today's truck and SUV owners, the Cooper Discoverer HT combines everyday comfort with dependable highway performance, helping drivers stay confident whether they're pulling a trailer, carrying a heavy load, driving across town or covering hundreds of miles in a single day."

Alain Kohnen, Vice President, Global Manufacturing, said, "The Cooper Discoverer HT reflects more than a century of US manufacturing expertise behind the Cooper brand. This new tyre showcases what our teams do best: build high-quality, US-made products that deliver the durability and dependable performance drivers count on every day."

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

DUNLOP (company name: Sumitomo Rubber Industries) will present its latest innovations at the Rubber & Elastomer Technical Exhibition, scheduled for 3–6 November at the Aichi International Convention & Exhibition Center (Aichi Sky Expo). The event runs concurrently with the International Rubber Conference 2026 (IRC2026 AICHI), marking the first time in a decade that the conference is held in Japan since IRC 2016 Kitakyushu.

The company’s booth (#82) will highlight efforts to generate new value in mobility, sports, healthcare and daily life through its proprietary Rubber and Analytical Technology, refined over many years. Under its Long-term Corporate Strategy R.I.S.E. 2035, the firm envisions continuing to deliver new experiential value born from rubber to everyone. The exhibition will feature latest technologies tied to further innovation originating from rubber, identified as a growth driver for that vision.

Attendees will be able to observe how the proprietary technology is being applied across the four fields. A key tyre display is the SYNCHRO WEATHER, a next-generation all-season tyre using Active Tread Technology that lets rubber properties change with road conditions. Also featured is the WINTER MAXX ICE Pro, a new studless winter tyre engineered to maximise on-ice performance through newly developed rubber compounds and a new tread pattern design, alongside a reference exhibit of sustainable tyres made with Russian dandelions as a raw material.

Additional exhibits span several categories. In sports, a reference exhibit of the SRIXON Z-STAR +e80 golf ball carries a sustainable materials content of 82 percent. Industrial products include MIRAIE, a vibration damper for detached wooden houses that reduces building vibration amplitude during earthquakes via high-damping rubber, and safe, high-quality rubber parts for medical applications developed with polymers, rubber-processing technology and clean technology. New business displays comprise reference exhibits of rubber materials for 3D printing that retain rubber’s inherent elasticity, resilience and durability, and space-grade rubber materials, showcasing R&D initiatives and prototype materials for harsh space environments.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Michelin has introduced the Michelin X Multi Energy Z2, a new truck and bus tyre developed and tested for Indian road conditions.

The new products are manufactured at the company’s facility in Chennai, and the tyres will be available across India from 1 November 2026.

The Michelin X Multi Energy Z2 is designed for all-position fitment on commercial vehicles and incorporates the Carbion tread compound blend alongside InfiniCoil and Duracore technologies.

Testing conducted by Michelin indicates fuel savings of up to six percent in the 295/80R22.5 dimension and up to 13 percent in the 295/90R20 (tube type) dimension compared to commercial competitors. The design delivers a footprint up to five percent larger to improve grip in wet and dry conditions, alongside an 11 percent increase in summit strength and up to 25 percent longer tread life.

In terms of sustainability, the tyres contain up to 30 percent recyclable materials, and the Chennai manufacturing plant operates using 45 percent renewable energy. The model will be distributed through Michelin Tyres & Service stores and 300 authorised dealerships nationwide.

Shantanu Deshpande, Managing Director, Michelin India, said, "India’s commercial vehicle sector is the backbone of the nation’s economy, and fleet owners are increasingly looking beyond the upfront cost of a tyre to its overall value throughout its life. Developed for Indian highways, the MICHELIN X Multi Energy Z2 addresses these needs by combining fuel efficiency, longer tyre life and enhanced robustness to help reduce Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). With up to 13 percent fuel savings, 25 percent higher mileage and 11 percent better ply strength enabled by our Duracore technology, it is designed to help fleet operators optimise operating costs, improve productivity and strengthen their margins. At Michelin, we are committed to being a performance partner to Indian fleet owners, bringing advanced, locally relevant mobility solutions that help make every kilometre count."

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Pirelli has chosen the softest trio in its range for the Mexico City Grand Prix, with the C3 as Hard, the C4 as Medium and the C5 as Soft. This departs from last year, when a compound step using the C2 as Hard proved less appealing than the softer alternatives. The second round of the Americas triple-header takes place at the circuit named after brothers Pedro and Ricardo Rodríguez, unique on the calendar due to its altitude of over 2,000 metres.

A large portion of the circuit has been resurfaced, covering Turn 16 to Turn 1 and Turn 7 to Turn 16, leaving only the first sector largely unchanged. New asphalt normally brings higher grip and lower roughness, though its actual characteristics will need assessment during the opening stages. The track is often dirty early on, with grip improving lap after lap, and that evolution could be more pronounced this year.

The Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez has traditionally been one of the least demanding circuits on tyres, with low-speed corners and limited lateral loads keeping wear under control. The thin air reduces aerodynamic load, increasing tyre slip and making graining a factor to watch, possibly more so with the smoother asphalt. The circuit's low severity could favour a one-stop race, though tyre management to extend stints will remain important, particularly for the rear axle.

Strategy may depend more on driver confidence in a compound than on genuine tyre life limitation, with some teams favouring softer compounds for grip and others the Hard for consistency. The Soft could play a central role, having shown strong characteristics on low-severity circuits. Braking performance also warrants monitoring, as the altitude reduces aerodynamic efficiency and the long main straight into Turn 1 could increase lock-up risk. Last year's grid was split between one-stop and two-stop strategies. This will be the sixth Grand Prix under the Mexico City Grand Prix name, with Max Verstappen the most successful driver at the venue with five victories, matching Red Bull. The Pirelli Podium Cap celebrates Día de los Muertos, which falls on race Sunday.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!