Several tire makers are off to a strong start to 2023 by launching new tires into the market.
Bridgestone, Hankook and Yokohama expanded their truck/bus lines, promising increased durability, enhanced traction and fuel efficiency, and longevity, respectively, while Toyo released a second-generation passenger tire, featuring year-round performance.
Here's a look at the recent rollouts from each of the tire makers.
Bridgestone Americas Inc. introduced a new tire to its truck/bus lineup: the Bridgestone M863 all-position radial tire for on- and off-highway fleets.
The tire is currently available in four sizes—11R22.5, 11R24.5, 315/80R22.5 and 12R22.5—and boasts increased durability for "tough trucks, concrete mixers, dump trucks, construction fleets, logging trucks and more," according to Bridgestone's Jan. 31 news release.
It also promises to deliver more miles per tire, based on internal testing against the Michelin X Works Z, Bridgestone added.
"When designing the Bridgestone M863, our goal was to produce an all-position tire without trading off its durability, retreadability, or performance on- and off-highway," said Steve Hoeft, president of the Commercial Truck Group at Bridgestone Americas. "We believe the versatility of the M863 will (maximize) performance and efficiency for fleets."
On- and off-highway fleets, Bridgestone said, can utilize the same product in several different positions when a more aggressive tread is not needed. And the tire's four-belt construction offers increased durability and "premium" casing to maximize retreadability.
Other key features of the M863 include: stone rejector platforms to prevent trapped stones from pushing deeper into tread grooves and piercing the belt layer; block sipes to promote traction by slicing through water for a solid grip on wet roads; stabilizing tie bars to reduce block squirm to fight irregular wear and extend tread life; and wide flow-through grooves to evacuate water effectively for solid wet traction.
Hankook Tire America Corp. has expanded its truck/bus tire portfolio with its SmartFlex DL15+, replacing its predecessor, the DL15.
The SmartWay-approved tire, made for regional and long-haul fitments, was developed using Hankook's Smartec TBR technology, which is based on five main performance features: safety, mileage, anti chip-cut, retreadability and traction, Hankook said in a Jan. 30 news release.
The tire boasts several new tread design features that enhance traction performance and increase fuel efficiency, Hankook said. And an optimized bead profile and a carcass structure minimize deformation and improve energy dispersion under heavy loads. A newly formulated belt structure reduces heat generation for greater durability and extended casing life for retreading.
"Most notably," Hankook said, the tire's three-dimensional and self-regeneration sipes turn out at mid and latter stages, allowing for improved traction performance that reinforces interlocking components between blocks until end of wear.
The SmartFlex DL15+'s tread features a combined rib and semi-block pattern that provides added stability and handling, Hankook added, noting the tire's fuel efficiency is enhanced through a wide closed-shoulder pattern along the tire's edges, "allowing for smoother wear throughout its lifecycle."
Because of these features, the tire maker boasts a 12-point increase in its rolling resistance compared to the DL15, a feature that helped the tire secure its SmartWay certification.
The tire will launch in one size, 295/75R22.5, with more planned by the end of the year.
"At Hankook, we're always looking for new and innovative ways to better support our nation's truckers with products that have proven to go the distance and outperform industry standards, especially regarding fuel efficiency," said Rob Williams, president of Hankook Tire America Corp.
"In today's landscape, having products engineered to improve rolling resistance and lower overall cost-per-mile for owners and independent operators is especially important in helping that next fill-up go further."
Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. introduced a new passenger car/CUV tire that emphasizes "true year-round performance."
Boasting its Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake symbol, Toyo claims the new Celsius II all-weather touring tire brings driving comfort, wet weather grip, traction in light snow and qualifications for severe snow conditions, according to a Feb. 1 news release.
The new tire, which comes with a 60,000-mile treadwear warranty and a 45-day/500-mile trial offer, will replace the company's existing Celsius and Celsius CUV tire models.
"…(T)he Celsius II picks up where all-season tires fall short by providing better ice and snow traction than a typical all-season tire for the convenience of year-round use," Toyo.
The second-generation tire features two tread patterns, differentiated on the inside and outside.
The outer tread carries the all-season attributes for wet and dry performance. And the balance of sipe density and interlocking multi-wave sipes help the tire maintain traction.
The inside tread, featuring high sipe density and zig-zag-shaped tread blocks, holds the more "winter-focused characteristics" for ice and snow traction.
The tire features a specialized silica compound for enhanced grip for improved wet braking and handling—without sacrificing flexibility in cold climates, snow claws that dig into the snow to improve traction, and a slush groove to evacuate slush and snow.
This tire is a single-stocking solution for passenger cars and CUVs with 76 Euro-metric sizes from 15- to 22-inch rim diameters, as well as S, T, H, V and W speed ratings, Hankook said, noting the line-up includes sizes for sedans and CUVs for Chevrolet, Ford, Honda, Nissan, Subaru and Toyota.
It said the "most popular sizes" will be available this month, and additional sizes and fitments will follow in the coming months.
"The Celsius II is an exciting step forward in our all-weather lineup," said Cameron Parsons, product engineer and field analyst for Competition & Specialty Tires at Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp.
"We paid close attention to the feedback we received regarding the Celsius and Celsius CUV and made improvements in key areas of performance," he added. "Thanks to our extensive research, development and testing, the Celsius II will deliver better year-round performance and driver confidence than ever before."
Yokohama Tire Corp. is adding a new tire to its truck/bus lineup, designed for regional haul and spread-axle operations.
The new 114R trailer tire is SmartWay-verified and will be available in the U.S. March 1 in six sizes: 11R22.5, 295/75R22.5, 285/75R24.5, 11R24.5, 255/70R22.5 and 275/70R22.5.
"With its high-scrub tread compound and rounded shoulder ribs, the all-new 114R is definitely built to last," said Tom Clauer, Yokohama's senior manager of commercial product planning.
Yokohama boasts longer wear, increased mileage and enhanced durability with the 114R.
The tire features round shoulder ribs that are specifically designed to resist curb damage and reduce wear—especially in spread axle applications, Yokohama said in a Feb. 1 press release. And its high-scrub compound is formulated to resist tread cutting and chipping without producing a negative impact on fuel efficiency.
Its tread depth delivers "maximum fuel efficiency and long-lasting service," and the rib design provides tracking and improved fuel efficiency while minimizing tread wear.
The funnel-shaped step grooves, the tire maker added, prevent stones and other debris from reaching the bottom of the grooves where casing damage can occur.
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