Continental launches two new van tyres at Geneva Motor Show

Continental has launched two new van tyres at the Geneva Motor Show this week.

They also come with a new brand designation along the passenger car tyre lines – ContiVanContact.

ContiVanContact 100

A tyre designed to cope with poor road surfaces and heavy loads, and to offer very good longevity. In addition to the reinforced carcass, sturdy sidewall, it offers good stone-deflecting tread design and a strong scuff protection strip on the sidewall. It all adds up to give a robust load carrier.

Van running costs are boosted with the new tyre having ten per cent lower rolling resistance compared to its predecessor. This is a big plus particularly for those that demand speed and don’t have the luxury of a slower and more fuel efficient driving style.

Continental is offering the new ContiVanContact 100 in 14 sizes ranging from 14 to 16 inches in diameter, and load-bearing capacities up toa load index of 115 (or 1,215 kg per tyre).

Interestingly, Continental plans to introduce versions of the 100 designed to meet particularly tough climatic conditions on unsurfaced roads in non-European markets. Maybe there are a couple of areas closer to home where they might be a good option too?

ContiVanContact 200

The second new van tyre is the ContiVanContact 200. It has sipes in the centre of the tread and grooves, and Continental say that it delivers safety even when driving and braking on rain-soaked roads. The German tyre manufacturer also claimed that it’s macro block profile and sturdy tread centre delivers precise handling even under heavy loads.

A further boost is the additional fuel saving due to the 15 per cent reduction in rolling resistance over its predecessor.

Continental is offering ten sizes to suit 15 and 16 inches in diameter, and approved speeds of up to 210 km/h. (or over 124 mph).

In terms of market development, Continental expects to see continued significant growth in 16- inch tyre segment for vans. According to their current forecasts, by 2016 almost ten million of these tyres will be sold every year. Since 2009 the segment has grown by six per cent, and today 53 per cent of all demand for what they call transporter tyres is for 16-inch sizes. Hand in hand with this, sales of smaller 14/15-inch tyre sizes have dipped, but it still remains a significant segment.

Caption:

Alexander Bahlmann, Head of Media and Public Relations, Tyre Division