Motorists shopping for tyres online could be putting their safety at risk by not selecting the most appropriate tyres for their car

As online shopping continues to boom, motorists looking to online retailers for their next pair of tyres are putting their safety at risk by selecting tyres with a lower speed symbol than recommended for their car. Traditionally, many motorists bought tyres at their local garage when they were due to be replaced, however, with instant price comparisons, loyalty point schemes and fitting offered at multiple tyre fitting centres around the country, buying tyres online is becoming an increasingly attractive option. With safe vehicle handling largely dependent on using the right type of tyres for the car, TyreSafe is urging motorists to consider that selecting tyres of the recommended size, load index and speed symbol is essential to safe driving.

Zircotec has developed a new lower cost derivative of its high performance ThermoHold® based thermal barrier coatings.

Performance and classic car owners wishing to use plasma sprayed thermal barriers but previously dissuaded by cost now have an option from Zircotec. The firm’s new Primary coating offers a twenty five percent exhaust surface temperature reduction and costs thirty percent less than its premium Performance offering.

Market Engineering has been appointed to support the Prodrive media team in handling the growing interest in its automotive technology business. Effective immediately, journalists can contact Claire Dumbreck or Richard Gotch of Market Engineering, the leading specialist PR and marketing agency for automotive technology companies.

During April’s Bike Tyre Safety Month, TyreSafe recorded the highest number of visits to its website to date, as the organisation continues to promote the importance of tyre safety

The latest tyre safety campaign to be held by safety organisation TyreSafe has achieved record interest, as the organisation’s website experienced its busiest month to date in April with 26,700 visits, a 185 percent increase from April 2008. TyreSafe’s Bike Tyre Safety Month reached out to all motorcyclists, new and experienced, to raise awareness of the importance of tyres in road safety. Top tips for bike tyre safety maintenance together with key tyre safety advice were shared with bikers via a dedicated page on the TyreSafe website, where visitors were also offered the opportunity to register for the organisation’s newsletter and receive a free tyre valve extension. The campaign received support from a wide range of organisations, such as the Motorcycle Industry Association, the Institute of Advanced Motorists and the British Motorcyclists Federation.

Two vehicle EMC chamber offers 75 percent lower cost testing and allows investigation of increasingly critical car to car EMC issues

Vehicle and component manufacturers needing to undertake EMC testing now have a low cost solution from in-car electronics specialist Alpine.  The firm’s nine metre by six metre by six metre chamber (crucially large enough for two cars side by side) is available for static vehicle and component bench testing at affordable rates; some 75 percent lower than comparable test houses in the UK.

The development of a novel transmission that will make a substantial contribution to the acceptance of electric vehicles is previewed at EVS, the Electric Vehicle Symposium (Norway, 13-16 May)

A novel multi-speed electric vehicle transmission is being developed by transmission engineering and control specialist Vocis. Simulations show that a two-speed configuration could reduce the battery energy consumed by 5-10 percent over the industry-standard New European Drive Cycle, without any significant increase in overall cost or packaging volume, as well as extending battery life and providing the potential to substantially downsize the powertrain and battery pack.

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A stop-start system with new multi-mode, variable ratio drive pulley brings substantial improvements in cost, runs airconditioning with engine-off and delivers CO2 reduction significantly beyond today’s best stop-start technologies

A new generation of Belt-Integrated Starter Generator (B-ISG)) has been developed by powertrain engineering consultancy Integral Powertrain. The system solves the cost-benefit issues that have slowed the uptake of existing B-ISG technologies by providing starting refinement equivalent to today’s very best systems alongside additional benefits such as power to airconditioning while the engine is stopped and reduced losses whilst the engine is running. The total CO2 reduction achieved by the system is said to be substantially greater than that possible with today’s best B-ISG systems.

Zircotec’s high performance Thermohold® based thermal treatment helps reduce the weight of the Murciélago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce.

Automobili Lamborghini has selected automotive coating specialist Zircotec to supply a high performance thermal barrier for the lightweight Murciélago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce. The ceramic based thermal coating is applied to the exhaust system and reduces the need for heat shields while allowing heat sensitive lightweight materials to be used in close proximity to the exhaust pipe. Zircotec’s Thermohold technology also protects other heat sensitive components from damage.

100 percent recyclable material helps meet End-of-Life Vehicle targets at 2015

An independent Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) has confirmed that ARPRO components will help OEMs meet the forthcoming End-of-Life Vehicle (ELV) targets. The efficient recycling of non-metallic parts will be crucial in helping manufacturers meet the ELV Regulations, and in 2015 the re-use and recovery targets will increase from 85 percent to 95 percent by weight of vehicle.

Distinctive forged alloy wheels contribute a 20 percent weight saving, enhance style on new SV

Alcoa Wheel Products has been selected by Automobili Lamborghini to supply lightweight wheels for its Murciélago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce (SV). The forged alloy wheels reduce unsprung weight and contribute to the SV’s 100kg mass reduction over the standard Murciélago.