Product News

Semperit Extends Truck Tyre Range
Kumho Unveils Epoch
New MAK Wheels for the UK

Semperit Extends Truck Tyre Range

Continental Tyre Group now offers an extensive range of Semperit truck tyres for long and short haulage. For steer axles it offers the M350 Euro-Front tyre in 295/80R22.5, 315/80R22.5, 315/70R22.5 and 385/65R22.5 and the M434 Euro-Steel tyre in 11R22.5, 12R22.5 and 13R22.5.

These steer tyres can also be used as an all-round fitment for buses.They deliver a uniform wear pattern, safe grip in the wet and low noise levels.

In addition a range of 19.5" sizes is also available for steer axles in the M249 Euro-Front pattern at 245/70R19.5, 265/70R19.5 and 285/70R19.5 as well as the key 17.5" sizes in the M434 Euro-Steel pattern at 205/75R17.5, 215/75R17.5, 225/75R17.5 and 235R17.5.

For drive axles the M470 Trans-steel is offered in 275/70R22.5, 315/70R22.5, 295/80R22.5, 315/80R22.5, 11R22.5 and 12R22.5 along with the M255 Euro-Drive in 245/70R19.5, 265/70R19.5 and 285/70R19.5.

These drive tyres deliver outstanding mileage due to a widened tread and excellent traction on wet and wintry roads. They are also M&S homologated making them suitable for severe winter conditions.

A range of 17.5" drive tyres is also available in the M470 Trans-Steel pattern at 205/75R17.5, 215/75R17.5, 225/75R17.5 and 235/75R17.5. Semperit now offers a selection of trailer tyres including the M223 Trailer in 385/65R22.5 and 265/70R19.5, the M422 Trailer-Steel in 11R22.5 and the M423 Trailer in 215/75R17.5, 235/75R17.5 and 245/70R17.5.

These trailer tyres deliver good mileage performance and even wear pattern in both long and short haulage applications.

Kumho Unveils Epoch

Kumho is paving the way for the world's first truly eco-friendly racing car. Inspired by the company's success in this year's Le Mans 24 hour race, it decided to employ its unique conceptual abilities to show exactly what an environmentally friendly Le Mans car of the future could look like. The result is the Epoch!

Epoch by name and nature, Kumho's revolutionary single-seater simply bristles with futuristic technology and green credentials. Its chassis is grown from bamboo, thereby providing an immediate carbon offset, while its lightweight body panels are formed from recycled tyre tread rubber. Power comes from Maglev (Magnetic Levitation) units integral to the four-wheel hubs. Proven in the railway industry, this advanced electromagnetic technology has the advantage of zero friction as well as maximum torque at zero rpm.

The Epoch also boasts revolutionary tyre technology. Known as EAP (Electro Active Polymer), it allows the tread and even the shape of the tyres to be fundamentally altered simply by passing an electric current through the rubber. This is achieved via the positioning of magnets on the hubs and within the wheel rims. It effectively allows the characteristics of the tyre to be altered at will, to suit different tastes and conditions.

Even the car's interior benefits from an example of Kumho's innovative tyre technology, being clad with the type of scented 'aroma' rubber already available for the tyres of various luxury saloons and compact SUVs.

Epoch is the work of Kumho's in-house designer, Rob Dolton. The only qualified vehicle designer employed within the world's tyre industry, he is retained by Kumho's European Technical Centre in Birmingham specifically to explore future technologies for road and track vehicles, and the tyres they run on. A graduate of the internationally renowned Automotive Design Department of Coventry University, he worked for Fiat Advanced Design in Turin before joining Kumho in 2005.

Enthusing about his brainchild Rob Dolton said, "While delighted at winning the LMP2 class at Le Mans this year, we accept that environmental pressures will not allow motorsport to carry on in its current form indefinitely. However, rather than viewing it as an increasingly antisocial pastime, we regard it as a perfect platform for developing green technology solutions. Epoch is an example of just how exciting the future could be."

New MAK Wheels for the UK

The UK distributor for the Italian MAK range of replacement alloy wheels, Yokohama HPT Ltd, has announced three new models for the UK market. All three capture the manufacturer's flair for design and epitomise MAK's reputation for quality and longevity.

The first of the three wheels is the Volare. It features 20 narrow spokes, spreading from the mounting face right out to the edge of the wheel rim. A slight step at the rim increases the perception of size and the combination lends it a very contemporary, motorsport feel. The Volare comes in a range of sizes, beginning at 15in and running up to 9.5x19in and is available in both four and five-stud patterns. Prices begin at £93.95 including VAT and the Volare features a mirror polished face with gun-metal body.

Next in the new selection is the Invidia, a paired ten-spoke design. Each of the five pairs of spokes run from almost the very centre of the mounting face, inside the mounting lugs and meets the edge of the rim seamlessly. The spokes taper outwards slightly, giving more metallic presence at the rim but with a clean and smooth overall appearance. The Invidia is available in 16in to 18in sizes and five-stud fitments. Two finishes are available; the Ice Black features a matt black body with a polished face while the Deluxe is presented in Hyper Silver with an anthracite centre cap, with prices beginning at £119.95 including VAT.

Finally, the Audace is aimed at the smaller car market, and hence is available in smaller sizes, from 14in to 16in and with either four or five-stud fitments. It features seven pairs of flat-faced spokes, running from the central mounting face to the edge of the rim, enhancing the sense of size. The Audace is finished in Gun Metal with a polished face and is sure to have a massive presence on any car. Prices begin at £69.95 including VAT. The Volare model is available now through Yokohama HPT's dealer network while the Audace and Invidia will be introduced in early 2008. For more information, go to www.tsw-wheels.co.uk or call 01908 625625.