Product News

Three New TSW Wheels for the UK Aftermarket
Kleber Launches Transpro Tyre Range
Manbat Charges ahead with new VARTA Range

Three New TSW Wheels for the UK Aftermarket

The UK distributor for TSW Alloy Wheels, Yokohama HPT Ltd, has announced three more additions to the range of replacement alloy wheels. The Demon, Terra and Shadow are the latest from the manufacturer and continue its tradition of cutting-edge design, innovation and quality.

The Demon is a ten-spoke wheel, featuring five pairs of flat-faced and hard-edged spokes running to the very outside edge of the wheel rim. Not only does this enhance the sense of size of the wheel but gives it an aggressive and purposeful feel; perfect for performance or modified cars. The faces of the spokes and the outer edge of the rim are machine-cut and lacquered while the recessed, webbed mounting flange and the inside of the spokes and rim are finished in a 'liquid smoke' paint, creating an airy feel but one which still maintains huge presence. The Demon will suit most five-stud applications and will allow brake conversions to be shown off in their full glory.

The Terra is another wheel using hard-edged spokes but this time, there are eight and they have a much softer feel. Again, the spokes run to the very edge of the rim to enhance the wheel's size on the car and are machine-cut, as is the very edge of the wheel rim. However, in contrast to the Demon, the Terra features four elongated teardrop details formed in alternate spokes, radiating out from the bolt-holes. This incorporates the mounting holes into the wheel's overall design and lends it an airy feel, drawing the eye away from the mounting face.

In a similar vein is the Shadow. Whereas the Terra is designed for four-bolt mounting options, the Shadow is designed for five, with five spokes running to the edge of the wheel rim. As on the Terra, the mounting holes are brought into the design, this time with similar elongated teardrops running from the holes towards the wheel rim on each of the five spokes. The body and detailing of both the Terra and Shadow models are also finished in 'liquid smoke' paint, contrasting perfectly with the machine-cut faces and rim.

All three wheels are available in 15in, 17in and 18in sizes from Yokohama HPT's nationwide dealer network, with prices starting at £93.95 including VAT.

Kleber Launches Transpro Tyre Range

Kleber has launched a new range of van tyres to its collection. The Transpro range will replace the CT series and will include the Kleber Assistance, its popular 24- hour free of charge, breakdown recovery package. Launched in June, the first two sizes (195/70 R 15C 104/102 R TL and 195/65 R 16C 104/102R TL) will replace the popular CT200 and CT300 respectively, accounting for 25% of the van tyre market. A further ten sizes will be launched throughout 2007, and it is expected that the Transpro range will represent 65% of the van tyre market by 2008.

Designed for the use on most van makes, these tyres provide excellent safety benefits on wet surfaces with 5 longitudinal treads and grooves which allow the quick expulsion of water all ensuring excellent road handling. In addition the tyres are extremely resilient; featuring massive sides and interlocking blocks designed to improve contact with the road and exceptional traction on all road surfaces.

Andrew Williamson, Brand Manager, BF Goodrich said: "The Transpro range is very important for Kleber in UK and Ireland, in an area of the market that's growing rapidly, particularly in the 16 inch sector. In terms of our distribution channels, van sales are vitally important to Kleber and our distribution approach."

Manbat Charges Ahead with New VARTA Range

Manbat has agreed to distribute VARTA's new battery range into the UK automotive aftermarket. The distributor, which operates out of 12 distribution points throughout the UK, has been a VARTA customer for the past 30 years, establishing itself as the brand's largest supply partner in the automotive industry. VARTA has introduced a new three tier product range to help trade customers identify the correct battery for any make and model of vehicle.

The range now includes: Blue Dynamic, which provides 80 percent replacement battery coverage of the UK vehicle parc, Silver Dynamic for the latest high specification models and, a Black Dynamic battery targeted at cars more than seven years old. All batteries in the restructured product range use calcium silver technology to ensure compatibility with original equipment (OE) batteries, used by most vehicle manufacturers since the late 1990's.