Peugeot Sport has entered into a partnership with Point S, a global leader in independent tyre and car maintenance services, for the Team Peugeot TotalEnergies Hypercar programme in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC).

The PEUGEOT 9X8 Hypercar and its surroundings will have the Point S emblem for the 2025 FIA WEC season as part of this new collaboration. This partnership demonstrates Peugeot Sport and Point S's shared dedication to driving innovation and producing outstanding results on and off the track.

The Qatar 1,812-km race kicks off the 2025 WEC season on 28 February at the Lusail International Circuit. The PEUGEOT 9X8 Hypercar will participate in the 6 Hours of Imola and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, two of the most renowned endurance events. Paul Di Resta, Loïc Duval, Malthe Jakobsen, Mikkel Jensen, Stoffel Vandoorne and Jean-Éric Vergne are among the team's seasoned drivers, who will represent Peugeot Sport's quest for greatness on the international scene.

Jean-Marc Finot, Senior Vice President of Stellantis Motorsport, said, “We are thrilled to welcome Point S as a key partner for Team Peugeot TotalEnergies. This partnership reflects a shared dedication to innovation, performance, sustainability and customer care both in Stellantis and Point S DNA. By joining forces, we will not only meet the challenges of modern motorsport but also create a lasting impact for our fans and customers alike.”

Fabien Bouquet, CEO, Point S International, said, “Our partnership with Team Peugeot TotalEnergies marks an exciting new chapter for Point S. By stepping into the world of endurance racing, we aim to align our expertise in automotive excellence with Peugeot Sport’s legendary status in motorsport. Together, we will demonstrate shared values of precision, innovation and performance, and we are excited to support Peugeot Sport as they push the limits of what’s possible on the track.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Nokian Tyres marks the 90th anniversary of its Hakkapeliitta winter tyre family, celebrating a legacy that began in 1936 with the introduction of the first Hakkapeliitta-branded tyre, the Lumi-Hakkapeliitta. This debut product, arriving just two years after the world’s first winter tyre, featured a transverse tread pattern and suction-pad-style grip, establishing itself as a breakthrough in winter mobility and the first winter tyre designed specifically for passenger cars.

The company commemorates this milestone with the launch of its newest winter product, the Nokian Tyres Hakkapeliitta 01, announced in March and available for sale at tyre shops this fall. The Hakkapeliitta 01 represents a significant step forward in the brand’s rich history, introducing On-Demand Grip technology that allows studs to enter ‘OFF’ and ‘ON’ modes in response to driving conditions.

Throughout the decades, Nokian Tyres expanded the Hakkapeliitta’s influence from the Nordic region to snowy surfaces worldwide. The Haka-Hakkapeliitta became one of the best-selling winter tyres of the 1950s and 1960s, featuring a dense pattern of protrusions effective on icy roads with packed snow, while the first studded model, Kometa-Hakkapeliitta, was introduced in the 1960s. The product family gained global recognition during the same period by dominating the Monte Carlo Rally, cementing its association with extreme weather performance.

Forty years ago, in 1986, the company opened the Ivalo Test Center, known as White Hell, in Finland, providing a diverse winter tyre testing environment with temperature variations of up to 40 degrees possible in a single week. From 2000 onward, all new Hakkapeliitta tyres have featured the Driving Safety Indicator, an easy-to-read number moulded into the tyre indicating remaining tread life. Innovations such as the square stud, Bear Claw technology, Double Stud technology and Arctic Grip Crystals have further advanced both studded and non-studded offerings.

Today, studded and non-studded Hakkapeliitta products equip passenger cars, SUVs, commercial vehicles, trucks, tractors and selected speciality equipment used in municipal maintenance and contracting. Models including the studded Hakkapeliitta 10 and non-studded Hakkapeliitta R5 have ranked atop test results, helping keep drivers safe in diverse winter weather.

The Hakkapeliitta 01 reduces road wear by up to 30 percent compared to its predecessor, the Hakkapeliitta 10, while improving ice grip by up to 10 percent and wet grip by up to 5 percent. Noise levels drop by as much as one decibel, making the new tyre a victory of safety and comfort. This marks the second time in the series’ history that Nokian Tyres has reset its numerical naming convention. Consumers can purchase the Hakkapeliitta 01 this fall at tyre shops across the Nordics, North America and Central Europe.

Paolo Pompei, President and CEO, Nokian Tyres, said, “The Hakkapeliitta product family is an iconic part of our heritage and continues to play a central role in our strategy. Achieving and maintaining leadership in the winter tyre market requires continuous innovation. The new Nokian Tyres Hakkapeliitta 01 is a clear demonstration of that commitment, combining our longstanding expertise with the latest advancements in safety and performance.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Hankook Tire has introduced the Winter i*cept evo 4, a new addition to its Alpine winter lineup. The studless tyre is designed for passenger cars and SUVs, targeting enhanced winter safety and fuel efficiency. It replaces the previous generation with a 5 percent improvement in snow grip, achieved through wider lateral grooves and semi-sipe technology. The next-generation model builds on Hankook's proven Alpine winter engineering, refining traction, braking, efficiency and tyre longevity even in the harshest winter conditions.

The tyre offers balanced grip compounds and hydroplaning resistance for wet braking, while an optimised curing process and balanced wear design extend mileage and fuel efficiency. A tread design focused on noise reduction provides a quieter, more comfortable ride by minimising road and impact noise caused by sudden braking and steering. All Hankook winter tyres carry the 3 Peak Mountain Snowflake rating for severe snow service standards.

The evo 4 joins a broader winter portfolio that includes the studless Winter icept iZ3 for passenger cars and iZ3 X for SUVs and crossovers. Studded options include the Winter i*Pike RS2 for passenger cars, including sedans, coupes, hatchback, and some smaller crossovers depending on tyre size, and the i*Pike X for SUVs, crossovers and light trucks. The new tyre is backed by the SureTire Plan with a 30,000-mile treadwear warranty, a 30-day free trial, a limited warranty and road hazard protection, subject to applicable terms and conditions.

Dealers can now order the Winter i*cept evo 4 in 37 SKUs and the SUV version in 45 SKUs. Consumer availability is expected later this fall.

K C Jensen, Vice President of PC/LT Sales, said, “Drivers need tyres that provide dependable control throughout the winter season. The Winter i*cept evo 4 combines stronger snow traction, enhanced wet braking and improved efficiency to help drivers navigate changing winter road conditions with confidence.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

The AZuR network has welcomed North Rhine-Westphalia’s first circular economy strategy, viewing the explicit inclusion of used tyres as confirmation of its longstanding engagement. The strategy aims to move the state from linear value chains towards a circular economy and strengthen its position as a leading European location for such practices, with priority areas spanning circular construction, chemicals, technology, circular cities and a high-performing secondary raw materials sector.

Used tyres occupy a dedicated page within the strategy, granting political visibility to a material flow that already requires integrated approaches. These range from extending the service life of suitable tyres through repair and retreading to recovering secondary raw materials via mechanical and chemical recycling alongside complementary processes. The document identifies used tyres as a significant material flow in the state and highlights steel and rubber recovery as well as retreading.

The state government has signalled its intention to expand circular approaches to tyre reuse and recycling, expressly incorporating public procurement and the vehicle fleets of public companies. This reflects a core principle of the tyre circular economy, whereby suitable tyres should remain in use as long as possible, with repair, retreading and regrooving extending service life before mechanical and chemical recycling recover industrially reusable materials.

AZuR is paying particular attention to the political focus on retreading. The strategy notes that retreading is established for commercial vehicle tyres while passenger car retreading has declined, and the state government declares its intention to support retreading projects and further recycling processes. For the network, the inclusion of used tyres creates a starting point for linking the entire tyre circular economy with raw material security, secondary raw material markets, public procurement and industrial competitiveness.

AZuR maintains close contact with the relevant state ministries, contributing the experience and solutions of its network partners across the entire tyre value chain. It will continue this exchange and feed practical experience into implementation of the strategy, with the goal of keeping tyres and their contained raw materials in circulation for as long as economically viable.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Continental has introduced the ContiMotion EVO, the successor to its well-regarded ContiMotion sport touring tyre. The new model targets motorcyclists seeking a balanced blend of riding enjoyment, safety and longevity. It arrives with multiple product enhancements over the previous generation.

Technical upgrades include new carcass materials that deliver greater stability and consistency, translating into improved handling and more agile dynamics. Updated compounds further boost performance in both wet and dry conditions. The tyre also features Continental's EasyHandling technology for predictable steering, a hybrid silica tread compound for reliable grip, an advanced compound and dedicated pattern for extended mileage and ZeroDegree steel-belt construction with new carcass materials for high-speed stability.

The ContiMotion EVO suits sporty weekend riders and touring enthusiasts alike. It fits motorcycles such as the BMW R12 nineT, Triumph Daytona 660, Ducati Supersport 950, Honda CB 650R, Suzuki GSX-8TT and Yamaha MT-09. It can also be paired with the existing ContiMotion.

Christoph Ettenhuber, Head of Business Field Motorcycle Tires, Continental, said, “With the ContiMotion EVO, we’re offering a versatile sport touring tyre. It combines intuitive handling with reliable grip in both wet and dry conditions – all while delivering impressive mileage for everyday use. The ContiMotion EVO has been upgraded in key areas without losing the fundamental renowned qualities of its predecessor. Riders benefit from a tyre that is noticeably more agile. The ContiMotion EVO is compatible with a wide range of popular naked bikes, roadsters and modern classics.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!