Uniroyal Launch Rallye 550
Michelin Introduces Cycle Rack Range

New OTR Radial from Bridgestone
Ranger Sport Expands Avon's 4x4 Coverage

Uniroyal Launch Rallye 550

Uniroyal has announced the launch of the new Rallye 550 car tyre. The new tyre, which aims to be a benchmark for performance in the wet, replaces the existing Rallye 540 and is available in a wide range of 14" to 17" sizes for speeds up to 270 kmh. The range starts with the size 175/65 R 14H and goes up to 205/50 R 16 V and 225/55 R 17 W, making it suitable for cars like the Alfa Romeo 145 and Ford Fiesta as well as for the BMW 5 Series, Lexus GS 300 and Mercedes E-Class.

To cover the enormous breadth of the targeted sector with the dynamic performance of the new Uniroyal tyre, the developers had to design three different tread pattern variations for the Rallye 550. In the shoulder section, they look alike, but where they differ is in the number of grooves in the centre of the tyre.

The single groove version was designed for 175 and 185 tyres with 65 and 60 per cent aspect ratios. The two-groove option is available as a 175, 185, 195 and 205 tyre with an aspect ratio of up to 55 per cent. For tyre widths of 215mm and over, the tread pattern features the two wide central groves plus a further groove 4 millimetres wide in the central tread rib.

The following special features distinguish the Uniroyal Rallye 550

• Hydrodynamic tread pattern design with double sipes in a V-shaped arrangement for greater rolling resistance to aquaplaning. Water is dispersed quickly and effectively from the contact patch.
• A specially developed tyre contour provides the enlarged ground contact patch and ensures good grip.
• A particularly advanced tread compound concept improves grip in the wet, ensuring very short braking distances on wet roads.
• The large number of tread grooves provides numerous tread edges, ensuring good grip on wet road.
• The computer-optimised tread pattern design means the tread maintains consistent, even contact with the road. At the same time, the noise level is very low, ensuring particularly good driving comfort.

The Uniroyal Rallye 550 is a significant improvement on its predecessor, the well-proven Rallye 540. Braking performance on dry roads is 2% better, the tyre is 3% quieter, handling in the wet is 3% better, with a 6% improvement in longitudinal aquaplaning. Braking in the wet is now 7% better and aquaplaning safety in bends has been improved by a full 15%. These substantial improvements have been achieved without compromising the tyre life or dry handling characteristics.

Michelin Introduces Cycle Rack Range

Michelin's range of Lifestyle products continues to expand with the launch of a pair of cycle racks for hatch backs and people carriers. Priced at £89.99, UK consumers will be able to find the racks in independent specialists from June. These two designs are part of a wider range with additional models planned for launch in spring 2005.

The racks, which are fixed to the boot of the vehicle, carry up to a maximum of three cycles and include a number of unique and innovative features:

• Unique patented 'Rotafix' tightening system for simple and rapid fitting in less then three minutes
• Ultra resistant materials; carbon steel straps, all-metal rigid frame for maximum stability and safety (no fabric straps)
• Contact points in soft rubber to protect the paint of cars and cycles
• Foldaway system for easy storage

In a comparative test of leading cycle rack brands published by the French Auto Plus magazine on 30 March 2004, the Michelin racks were ranked first overall, with five stars, ahead of strong competition.

The cycle racks compliment a range of Michelin automotive accessories (footpumps, air compressors, pressure gauges, car mats, warning triangles, first aid kits…) which is being progressively launched throughout Europe and further afield.

New OTR Radial from Bridgestone

Bridgestone has launched a new premium off the road radial tyre for wheeled loaders that will be available in the UK at the end of the year. The new VJT L3 tread-class tyre, first shown at Bauma 2004 in Munich last month, was developed in conjunction with engineers from Volvo and was tested at the manufacturer's test facilities in Sweden.

According to Bridgestone, the new tyre improves stability by over 20% compared to the existing VMT (L3) with ride comfort being improved by over 30%. Other characteristics such as traction, tyre life, cut resistance and self-cleaning have also been optimised. The VJT will be available initially in size 23.5R25*1 by the end of the year. Other sizes will be launched later.

Ranger Sport Expands Avon's 4x4 Coverage

Gone are the days when a 4x4 could automatically be referred to as an off-roader. Many 4x4s now have become Sports Utility Vehicles or SUVs and will never venture from tarmac-covered roads. In recognition of that fact, and the fact that the on-road performance of some of these vehicles can approach that of sports cars, Avon has introduced the Ranger Sport.

A distinctively patterned, low profile tyre designed specifically to meet the requirements of SUV owners fitting large diameter, aftermarket alloy wheels, the Ranger Sport is available in four sizes: 255/55 R 18 RF 109V, 285/55 R 18 RF 113V, 265/60 R 18 RF 114V, 295/45 R20 RF 144H. In addition to giving excellent grip on both sun-soaked and rain-lashed surfaces, the Ranger Sport exhibits superb high-speed straight-line stability and swift turn-in.