Parcours has introduced the Strade GT, the first wheelset in its latest GT Series. Featuring reclaimed aligned carbon fiber, it is based on VibraCore technology, developed in collaboration with Lineat and Nottingham Trent University.

Innovative technology

VibraCore was developed around the idea that reducing vibration through the wheel system helps riders stay fresher for longer, enabling them to ride faster and farther. Lineat’s AFFT technology integrates reclaimed aligned carbon fiber directly into the rim’s spoke bed, dampening vibration at a structural level.

The solution alters how that vibration travels through the rim structure, reducing the energy transmitted through the system.

Continue reading Parcours introduces new high-performance carbon wheels at Tire Technology International.

After years of engineering development and large-scale field testing, Global Air Cylinder Wheels (GACW), the Phoenix-based developer of the Air Suspension Wheel (ASW), has announced a key milestone in the transition from research and development to commercial deployment for 2026, following successful extreme-condition validation trials in Minnesota mining operations.

The recent winter trial subjected the company’s non-pneumatic mechanical wheel system to real-world operating conditions in Minnesota in December, with temperatures ranging from approximately -29°C to -40°C under full production loads and operational conditions. The testing focused on validating suspension performance, tread compounds, lubrication systems, and traction in extreme sub-zero mining conditions.

Continue reading GACW’s Air Suspension Wheel undergoes extreme mining trial ahead of 2026 launch at Tire Technology International.

BANF and Silicon Labs have unveiled a tire-monitoring technology that processes high-resolution data in real time, designed for autonomous vehicles and connected fleet operations. The system integrates Silicon Labs’ ultra-low-power BG22 Bluetooth LE SoC into BANF’s in-tire sensor platform, turning the tire into a connected intelligence node.

Traditional tire pressure monitoring systems alert drivers only when pressure drops significantly, offering limited insight into tire performance. BANF’s solution, by contrast, measures acceleration, pressure, temperature and tread depth at thousands of samples per second inside the tire. Key signals – such as wheel-nut loosening, slip events or reduced friction – are processed within the tire, reducing communication load and improving response time before sending alerts to the vehicle.

Continue reading BANF and Silicon Labs develop real-time tire monitoring system for autonomous and connected fleet vehicles at Tire Technology International.

Apollo Tyres has inaugurated its outdoor tire testing facility in Ivalo, Finland, designed to support the development of winter and all-season tires. The facility, which became fully operational in December 2025, was developed under a long-term agreement with automotive testing and certification group UTAC.

The purpose-built site features dedicated snow and ice tracks, advanced measurement systems and tailored infrastructure to replicate a wide range of real-world winter conditions. The facility allows Apollo Tyres to conduct continuous testing throughout the season, improving data repeatability, reducing logistical complexity and accelerating development cycles.

“This inauguration is more than the opening of a facility; it is a clear demonstration of Apollo Tyres’ commitment to innovation, safety and performance excellence,” said Neeraj Kanwar, the vice chairman and MD of Apollo Tyres.

Continue reading Apollo Tyres opens dedicated outdoor tire testing facility in Finland at Tire Technology International.

ZC Rubber has announced it is extending its partnership with the Red Bull Driftbrothers. Since last year, the Chinese tire manufacturer has been the official tire and equipment partner of the German motorsport team featuring Elias and Johannes Hountondji under its Westlake Performance Tires brand. The collaboration focuses on equipping the BMW vehicles used in competitions, exhibitions and show drifts. The team’s fleet includes a BMW M2 built for the 2026 season, two BMW M4 models with 1,000hp each and a BMW E30 show car.

The partnership extension will focus on the technological development of the Westlake Sport RS2, with engineers and teams from ZC Rubber and the Red Bull Driftbrothers – led by Elias and Johannes Hountondji – collaborating to test it and develop it further under race conditions.

Continue reading ZC Rubber extends partnership with Red Bull Driftbrothers at Tire Technology International.

Falken has announced that its Azenis FK520 has been assessed in the 2026 ACE Summer Tyre Test, achieving the Highly Recommended rating. Scoring 135 out of 170 points, the Falken Azenis FK520 ranked among the top four tires in the test field.

Tested in the 225/40 R18 XL size, the Falken Azenis FK520 achieved a top score, sharing first place with two competitors – underlining its stability and safety in challenging, wet road conditions.

In dry handling, it ranked among the leaders, with testers praising its precise steering, strong lateral grip and high stability.

The tire also performed well on wet roads, offering a balanced, reliable performance in damp weather.

Continue reading Falken Azenis FK520 ranks among top four in 2026 ACE Summer Tyre Test at Tire Technology International.

Kumho Tire has partnered with Ansible Motion to develop next-generation digital tires. The two companies will use advanced digital simulation technology to enhance Kumho’s tire performance verification system and strengthen its competitiveness in the development of tires for electric vehicles (EVs) and high-performance vehicles.

Kumho Tire expects that using driving simulators in R&D will reduce the time and cost of vehicle testing and prototype production, allowing more precise and efficient performance evaluation from the early stages of development.

Kim Youngjin, executive vice president and head of research and development at Kumho Tire, said, “This will serve as an opportunity to advance our research and development paradigm to be more digitally focused.

Continue reading Digital tire development accelerated as Kumho teams with Ansible Motion at Tire Technology International.

Smithers has announced the addition of three specialized rolling resistance testing capabilities at its tire and wheel test center in Suzhou, China, enabling it to offer more comprehensive insight into vehicle operating scenarios by recreating a wider range of real-world situations in a laboratory environment.

Testing capabilities

The additional testing capabilities include rolling resistance testing with slip/camber angle for passenger car (PCR) and light truck (LT) tires. Traditional rolling resistance testing is conducted at 0° slip and camber angles. However, factors such as wheel alignment, steering operations and changes in vehicle body attitude can cause small changes to slip and camber angles during real-world driving conditions.

Continue reading Smithers announces advanced rolling resistance testing updates for Suzhou center at Tire Technology International.

India’s first precision tire buffing and grinding machine has been inaugurated by JK Tyre at NATRAX – a leading automotive testing and certification center in Pithampur, India. The tire maker that the machine will mark a significant milestone in advancing tire safety through performance evaluation of worn tires in the country.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Dr Raghupati Singhania, chairman and managing director of JK Tyre, along with Dr Manish Jaiswal, director of NATRAX, and a host of other senior dignitaries.

The machine is complaint with ECE R117 regulation which assesses vehicle safety by measuring wet braking performance of tires worn close to the legal tread depth limit of 1.6mm.

Continue reading JK Tyre unveils India’s first tire buffing and grinding machine at Tire Technology International.

Following its recent partnership with the National Tyre Distributors Association (NTDA), TyreSafe has announced a further partnership with the British Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (BTMA) and the Imported Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (ITMA). Together, the four organizations represent every stage of the tire lifecycle and their collaboration marks the first time all four are working together in formal alignment to advance road safety, compliance and education.

These collaborations bring the UK’s retailers, manufacturers, importers and safety advocates into a unified alliance to eliminate harm caused by illegal and poorly maintained tires. The partnerships will focus on joint communication, evidence sharing and the coordinated delivery of safety campaigns that reach drivers, fleets and industry professionals nationwide.

Continue reading TyreSafe partners with BTMA and ITMA to strengthen tire safety standards at Tire Technology International.