Tag Archives: tyres

News

Like father, like son: Porsche 911 meets legendary 356

But I can let you know it rides effectively, deftly and softly, as a result of on beneficiant tyres and weighing round 700kg (it’s onerous to discern the exact determine from historic information), it doesn’t have to be overtly stiff. Besides, no one thought to make automobiles hard-riding on the time.

The steering, then – given some flex within the chassis, its sluggish unassisted gearing and the vagaries of time – takes a second to select up weight and begin deflecting the automotive from straight forward. It feels a bit nervous – or a minimum of I do – as a automotive with a brief wheelbase and a observe so inward of the physique would possibly effectively do. But even in prime gear, the 356 gathers pace onwards in a method I didn’t anticipate from simply 40bhp.

The drag coefficient was later measured beneath 0.30, so it’s slippery and has a small frontal space. It’s no marvel that at Le Mans in 1951, a modified Gmünd-built coupé was capable of hit 100mph and completed first within the 751-1100cc class, regardless of placing out solely 46bhp.

And, sure, there are some issues that also really feel like a 911 does right this moment, such because the view, by a slender display, throughout a low entrance finish, with pronounced wings; the slight bob of the entrance finish, which is so in another way loaded from the rear; and the truth that the noise comes from up to now behind, to the extent that it’s nearly inaudible at cruising pace.

Verdict 

The 356/2 feels extremely particular. Never, although, does it really feel unique, nor maybe does it look it. “Did you build it yourself,” asks a walker of its custodian when passing it in a parking lot, earlier than being pleasantly shocked to study that, no, that is the oldest Porsche within the UK.

There is, I suppose, no getting away from its humdrum mechanicals. This isn’t a race-winning V12 Ferrari. Its estimated worth of round £2.7 million could be very a lot a topic of its rarity, its standing and its originality.

“It’s one of the most original 356s,” says DK Engineering’s James Cottingham, a lot in order that “one owner had it as a reference for his other cars”. It’s the form of automotive that may, maybe inevitably on account of the worth, go into an current Porsche assortment. And could have already completed so by the point you learn this.

Featured

Maruti Jimny Extreme: Customised To Look Bigger & Bolder

This {custom} Maruti Jimny wears chunky off highway tyres and will get a snorkel too

Modified Maruti Jimny

The Maruti Jimny was launched in India in its 5-door variant, positioned as a sensible different to the Mahindra Thar. Maruti’s off-road SUV comes geared up with a full-time four-wheel-drive (4WD) as an ordinary characteristic, however has been critiqued for its smaller measurement and decrease efficiency in comparison with the three-door Thar. Recently, we noticed a custom-built Maruti Jimny that actually seems to handle the dimensions difficulty. Let’s take a better take a look at the way it presents itself in these 4 pictures.

Modified Maruti Jimny Front

While the design of the primary physique stays similar to the common Jimny model, it sits taller due to the large set of wheels. This customised Jimny not solely advantages from a further floor clearance but in addition boasts a notably increased strategy angle in comparison with the usual Maruti Jimny.

Modified Maruti Jimny Snorkel

This Jimny has additionally been given a snorkel alongside the size of the A-pillar, for enhanced water wading capabilities, able to driving by deeper swimming pools of liquid and slush than that of the common Maruti Jimny. However, we don’t have actual numbers for the elevated top and floor clearance for this model of the SUV.

Also Check Out: Maruti Brezza Regains Mild Hybrid Tech, But Only With Higher-end Variants

Modified Maruti Jimny Profile

In profile, we get a greater take a look at the large set of 15-inch excessive profile off highway tires, measuring 315 mm in width. The complete top of the wheel from the bottom to the highest is almost 35 inches, which is 7.72 inches greater than the peak of the tires provided with the common Jimny. These off-road tires with deep grooves present extra grip and phone by tough terrain, and on the identical time are additionally extra sturdy than common tires for heavy off highway duties.

There’s even a spare wheel with the {custom} rims and tyres has been mounted on the tailgate of the Jimny, contributing to the cumbersome look of the SUV’s rear. Apart from the brand new wheel, the general design stays unchanged.

Also Check Out: Tata Harrier EV Patent Image Leaked Online, Launch Expected By Late 2024

What Powers The India-spec Jimny?

The Maruti Jimny is powered by a 1.5-litre petrol engine which makes 105 PS and 134 Nm. This unit comes mated to both a 5-speed guide transmission or a 4-speed computerized transmission. The four-wheel-drive (4WD) drivetrain is obtainable as normal. It is unclear if this custom-spec Jimny has obtained any modifications below the hood.

Features & Safety

The factory-spec Maruti Jimny boasts facilities akin to a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wi-fi Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, cruise management, and computerized local weather management. Safety is taken care of by six airbags, digital stability management (ESC), hill maintain and hill descent management, and a rear view digital camera.

Price Range & Rivals

The Maruti Jimny in India is priced from Rs 12.74 lakh to Rs 15.05 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). It rivals different sub-4m off-roaders just like the Mahindra Thar and Force Gurkha.

Read More on : Maruti Jimny on road price

News

Part worn tyres: are they safe and should I buy them?

We all know that tyres wear down over time, but with the UK experiencing the raised cost of living in current times, it’s little wonder so many drivers baulk at the cost of a new set of tyres. 

One solution for some is to buy part-worn tyres: tyres that have already been used by somebody else, but still have some mileage left in them. 

What are part-worn tyres?

Part-worn tyres are tyres that have previously been used by another driver. It is estimated around five million tyres bought in the UK are categorised as ‘part-worn’, which is around 10% of all tyres sold every year.

Most part-worn tyres make their way to the UK from Germany. This is because the legal tread depth in Germany is 3mm, compared to 1.6mm in the UK. As a result, tyres that are still road-legal in the UK are exported here to be sold as ‘part-worn’.

Is it legal to buy or sell part-worn tyres in the UK? 

In the UK, buying or selling part-worn tyres is not illegal. In fact, according to industry body TyreSafe, as many as 5.5 million used tyres are sold here every year. 

Vendors are bound by law to adhere to a number of strict regulations, however, as described below.

Regulations for part-worn tyres in the UK

Second-hand tyres should be in good condition, which means no bulges in the sidewall and no large cuts in the tread, while none of the structural carcass or cords should be visible. 

They should have at least 2mm of tread across their width and around their circumference, and they should be clearly and permanently marked ‘part-worn’ in upper case letters at least 4mm in height on their sidewalls. 

Although these regulations are very straightforward, many part-worn tyre suppliers are known to flout them. If you are considering buying a set of used tyres, make sure the vendor is compliant with these laws – and remember, tyres that do not meet these minimum requirements could cause you to have a very serious accident. 

Advantages of part-worn tyres

The big advantage of part-worn tyres is that they cost less than brand new tyres. What’s more, by buying a set of used rubber you might be able to afford a higher quality tyre from a big-name brand, rather than a budget tyre from a manufacturer you’ve never heard of. 

Disadvantages of part-worn tyres

Many part-worn tyres are not safe. It should be considered that if somebody has removed a set of tyres from their car, they have done so because they no longer consider them to be safe. If those tyres aren’t good enough for another driver, are they really good enough for you? 

With less tread depth than a brand new tyre, part-worn tyres will generate less grip, particularly in the wet. That means your car will have less traction and – more importantly – less cornering and braking grip. 

News

Under the skin: What are modern tyres made of?

In recent years, tyre manufacturers like Continental and Michelin have been exploring the use of sustainable materials in tyre production. The goal is to reduce the dependence on petroleum-based products, such as synthetic rubber and carbon black, and instead utilize biomaterials and recycled materials like carbon black, steel, and plastic.

Some unlikely alternatives that have been considered include dandelions, PET from recycled bottles, and rice husks, which are typically considered waste in the food industry.

Continental recently announced that they will be the first to launch a tyre with a “high content” of sustainable materials on the mainstream market. Their new Ultracontact NXT tyre, suitable for both internal combustion engine cars and electric vehicles, is made up to 65% from renewable or recycled materials. Around 28% of the sustainable materials used in these tyres are certified through the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) process, ensuring their traceability.

In addition to the certified materials, renewable materials make up another 32% of the tyre composition, while the remaining 5% consists of recycled materials. The renewable materials include resins produced from residue in the wood and paper industries, rather than relying on petroleum-based materials.

Silica is an important component in tyre performance, affecting grip, rolling resistance, and durability. Since the 1990s, silica has been partially replacing carbon black in tyre production. Traditionally, silica has been made from sand, but it requires high temperatures of 1400°C, making it energy-intensive. On the other hand, making silica from rice husk ash involves much lower heat energy, around 100°C.

PET bottles, although made from petroleum-based raw materials, are recycled to produce polyester fibers. This circular process helps prevent bottles from ending up in landfills or being incinerated. Approximately nine to fifteen bottles are used in each tyre, depending on the size. The polyester fibers derived from recycled PET bottles are used internally in the tyre carcass.

To replace petroleum-based butadiene gas used in synthetic rubber production, a bio-butadiene made from ethanol is utilized. Ethanol can be easily produced by fermenting biomass, a process that has been in use for many years.

Carbon black, a crucial ingredient in tyres, is typically made by burning oil or gas at high temperatures. However, using recycled carbon black from old tyres helps reduce the environmental impact. This is one of the aspects covered by the ISCC certification.

News

Under the skin: How tyres are changing for electric cars

Are electric vehicle (EV) tyres different from regular tyres? Can any tyre work for an EV? Many drivers may prioritize the cheapest option, disregarding the evidence that premium tyres outperform super-cheap unknown brands in terms of grip, handling, braking distance, comfort, noise, economy, wet performance, and wear rate.

However, fitting a tyre that is not specifically designed for an EV can lead to costly mistakes. So, why are tyres engineered differently for EVs compared to internal combustion engine (ICE) cars? There are four main reasons.

Firstly, EVs weigh significantly more due to battery weight. For example, the entry-level Volkswagen ID 3 weighs almost 30% more than the conventional Volkswagen Golf equivalent.

Additionally, torque plays a crucial role. Electric drive motors deliver high torque instantly, even in ordinary EVs, which can potentially result in increased tyre wear.

Noise is another important factor. The quiet drivetrain of an EV makes road and wind noise more noticeable, even during acceleration or cruising at high speeds.

Finally, there is the aspect of economy and rolling resistance. While rolling resistance affects both ICE cars and EVs, a 10% increase in rolling resistance during a 200-mile drive is more noticeable to an EV driver.

Tyre manufacturers address the added weight of EVs by enhancing the load-bearing capacity of the tyre carcass. This involves reinforcing sidewall construction and using tougher rubber materials.

In 2021, Continental introduced the first tyre with a load rating of HL (‘High Load’, with a load index of 825kg), while an ICE car of the same size may have a rating of SL (a load index of 94kg).

Continental also developed a new compound called Green Chili 2.0 for its EcoContact 6 tyre. This compound consumes less energy when deformed (while rolling) and reduces energy consumption by 15% compared to its predecessor. Other tyre manufacturers have also developed lower-rolling-resistance compounds.

The tread design, distribution on the road surface, internal belt design, and the bead that grips the wheel rim all impact rolling resistance. These factors are crucial considerations for engineers when developing tyres for heavier and torquey EVs.

Tread block widths are already varied randomly to minimize droning noise, and their design is now under increased scrutiny. Foam layers on the inside of the tread help absorb noise from vibration. Continental refers to its polyurethane foam as ContiSilent, which reduces road noise by 9dBA.