Continental leads leads the field with Conti.eContact tyre

Hybrids could account for up to eight percent of cars on the roads by 2020 and Continental Tyre group believes it is leading the way in the development of a product specifically designed for use on these ground-breaking vehicles.

The Conti.eContact tyre was originally launched in 2011 with electric vehicles in mind but now it has been refined to meet the needs of hybrid models.

Continental said its in-house studies point to a growing market for hybrids in the future.

The Conti.eContact features a range of newly developed technologies and, the company says, is also the first tyre in the range to obtain the top A label rating on the EU Tyre Label for both wet grip and rolling resistance.

Continental said the Conti.eContact achieves a 20pc reduction in rolling resistance, as a result of the newly developed Green Chili compound.

The silica compound of the new Conti.eContact is constructed in such a way that the internal friction of the filler particles and the polymers is lower than in conventional rubber compounds. This results in lower rolling resistance, whilst maintaining the highest level of handling and braking performance when pushed to the limit.

Along with the new technologies adopted, the sidewalls of the new Conti.eContact have also been redesigned.

Continental says its tyre designers focused on minimising aerodynamic drag and rolling resistance. They achieved this through the aerodynamically modified sidewall and its flexible, lightweight design.

When hybrid vehicles run in electric mode they are virtually silent.
As tyre noise is no longer drowned out by other sources of noise such as a conventional engine, it is all the more noticeable. Consequently, the new Conti.eContact is designed to generate minimal audible noise in the interior, the company says.

This is achieved with the aid of ContiSilent technology, a thin layer of polyurethane foam attached to the inside of the tread that reduces the vibrations that are generated as the tyre rolls across the surface of the road.

The Conti.eContact will feature the “BlueEco” logo on the sidewall and be available in six sizes for 17 and 18-inch rims, specially designed for models such as the Opel Ampera, BMW 5 series ActiveHybrid, Lexus LS 600h and Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid.

The Conti.eContact will also be available for other cars and SUVs with hybrid drive.