Falken Tyre Europe to supply Volkswagen Polo with winter tyres
Specific version of new HS449 winter tyre developed in record time to offer improved safety in cold weather driving.
Offenbach, 12.10.2012: Volkswagen has selected Falken to supply a derivative of its new EUROWINTER HS449 winter tyre for the Polo. The OE-approved 185/60R15 85H tyres is the second contract the Japanese tyre manufacturer has secured with Volkswagen this year and follows the agreement to deliver its Sincera tyres to the Up!
With a significantly larger engineering team in Europe, thus ensuring closer co-operation with OEM customers such as VW, Falken produced a specific version of the HS449 in under nine months. “We were able to create and validate a derivative in record time and succeeded in winning Volkswagen over in the process,” says Markus Bögner, Sales Director at Falken Tyre Europe.
Winter tyres such as the EUROWINTER HS449 offer improved grip when temperatures fall below 7°C. With higher silica content, Falken’s engineers have created a cold weather tyre that offers improved wet weather braking and using the latest polymers enhances stability by 13 percent compared to its previous winter tyre. Other safety related features such as a three dimensional zigzag lamellar structure are designed to increase grip on snow and ice. “With factory-fitted tyres, the safety aspect is always a primary factor, especially for winter tyres. We are very pleased to have scored well in that respect,” adds Bögner. Crucial for premium cars such as the Polo, five-phase shifted tread bars lower the tyre noise typically associated with winter tyres.
A standard version of Falken’s HS449 cold weather tyre is available in a range of 57 sizes from approved Falken dealers.
About FALKEN Tyres Europe:
The technology and development of Falken High Performance Tyres and their driving characteristics have for many years been derived from motorsport, most recently its participation in the American Le Mans Series and Nürburgring 24 Hours. Tyre technologies developed on track are often transferred to the road, offering improvements in wet and dry grip, efficiency, feeling and control.
Falken is a brand of Sumitomo Rubber Industries Japan, with European headquarters near Frankfurt. Falken has aggressively expanded its product range, launching new products in new sectors and niches across Europe. Falken’s current products range from the track-inspired Azenis series including the latest FK453 flagship through to the efficient and innovative ZE914 and the rugged all-terrain WildPeak A/T and cold weather HS449.
All FALKEN products fulfil the ISO standards 9001 and 14001. For more information visit www.falken-europe.de or www.facebook.com/falkenmotorsports
Nick Bailey, Propel Technology, Bloxham Mill, Barford Road, Bloxham, Banbury, Oxfordshire, UK, OX15 4FF. 44 (0)1295 724130 / 44 (0) 7813 956664
Motorsport has formed the basis for both the technology and development of FALKEN High Performance Tyres. FALKEN racing tyres demonstrate their quality and performance in the most challenging race series in the world including the Super Taikyu Series, the American Le Mans Series and the legendary 24-Hour Race at the Nürburgring. Falken has a growing range of performance tyres for both on and off road. Its latest tyres include the FK453CC, a tyre specifically developed to meet the exacting demands of the performance SUV sector.
All FALKEN products fulfil the ISO standards 9001 and 14001. FALKEN is a brand of SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES LTD., Japan
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