TYRES

Continental launches Generation 5 tyre range

At a race track near Seville in Southern Spain, Continental Tyres showcased its Generation 5 tyre range and associated technologies. Trade press representatives from throughout Europe were invited to attend practical performance demonstrations, presentations and workshops hosted by expert representatives.

Under the tag line ‘Lowest Overall Driving Cost’ the new Conti Hybrid HS5 and HD5 tyres, the new Van Ultra series, smart digital fleet solutions, and future trends and technologies were highlighted.

Changes in consumer behaviour and the rapid growth in online shopping have led to the transport sector becoming the largest branch of the goods handling business in Europe. Regional transport is increasingly growing in importance, and the vehicles involved have to demonstrate the ability to absorb significant wear and tear. Frequent braking and pulling away again, manoeuvres in tight situations and various load states on changing road surface conditions challenge all vehicle components daily. As the direct contact point between the vehicle and the road, the tyres play a fundamental role.

DEVELOPED TO MEET DIVERSE CUSTOMER REqUIREMENTS

The new premium tyres from Continental have been designed to meet these challenges with cutting-edge developments: innovative treads, rubber compounds and state-of-the-art casing constructions deliver greater mileage, durability and traction combined with optimised rolling resistance and reduced noise. Tests have shown that the new Conti Hybrid Generation 5 tyre provides up to 20 percent higher mileage than its predecessor (depending on the tyre size).

The rubber compounds used by the Conti Hybrid Generation 5 tyre line have been developed specially to meet the exacting demands of regional transport. The treads, with their two-layer construction (cap base) and innovative compounds enable high mileage and considerable robustness while also optimising rolling resistance in regional transport use. This also has a positive impact on fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions. Both the Conti Hybrid HS5 for the steer axle and the Conti Hybrid HD5 for the drive axle offer top-class performance in all weather conditions, even with reduced tread depths towards the end of the tyre life. A robust tread with new, full-width 3D matrix sipes takes the credit here. The 0° belt casing on the Conti Hybrid HS5 in 315/70 R22.5 format brings additional stability, a uniform wear pattern and optimal re-treadability to the steer axle. A long steel belt cord runs over the radial casing in the direction of travel. This construction optimises pressure distribution in the contact surface, especially under varying load conditions. The newly developed tread structure

of the Conti Hybrid HD5 protects the tread and casing against stone damage. Center grooves with increasing cavities in the second half of the tyre’s service life combined with special stone ejectors prevent stones becoming embedded.

Various braking and steering tests were conducted on the Andalucía race circuit to demonstrate the positive impact of the latest developments, on a range of engine powered and battery electric HGV’s and vans.

NEW DELIVERY VAN TYRE FOR YEAR-ROUND USE

The general trend toward electric mobility in the transport industry and the increase in inner-city deliveries has significantly changed mobility habits and requirements. Vans are commuting longer distances more frequently, entailing stop-and-go driving in cities. All these requirements are reflected in the design of these new Ultra-series tyres. The new VanContact A/S Ultra range which is now produced in four sizes in a diameter of 16 inches can be installed on vehicles frequently used for delivery services and trade businesses, such as the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, Volkswagen Crafter and Fiat Ducato, as well as on smaller vans like the Mercedes-Benz V-Class or Volkswagen Transporter 6. The range will be further expanded next year to include other sizes of 15-, 16- and 17-inch diameter.

New fillers have been added to the rubber compound that reduces rolling resistance – an important factor for low fuel consumption and reduced CO2 emissions. At the same time, the functionalised polymers in this new compound provide for high mileage in both summer and winter use. The “snow traps” – small bars in the tread grooves – are also aimed at winter use, holding the snow in the grooves and thus offering good friction with the snow on the road. They also stabilise the profile and contribute to precise handling and high mileage. The smart 3D sipe was developed to achieve good grip when driving on snow and on wet roads, by stabilising the tread blocks, thereby providing for short braking distances.

Vans operated in urban areas can’t avoid hard tyre contact with roadside curbs. To ensure the sidewall is ruggedly resistant to such tough conditions, a scuff rib has been applied around the entire sidewall. Its “brick pattern” protects the sidewall against damage and thus contributes to robustness.

Continental’s engineers have also developed a new, clearly visible tread depth indicator for the new VanContact A/S Ultra which displays the tyre’s remaining tread depth much better than on previous ranges.

ContiConnect 2.0: Predictive Maintenance Delivers Greater Efficiency

With the road haulage industry facing greater cost pressures than ever before, highly efficient fleet management is increasingly essential for logistics companies to be successful in an extremely competitive marketplace. Under-inflated tires are a frequent reason for breakdowns and service calls.

ContiConnect 2.0 sensor monitors the health of tyres, thereby enhancing safety, reducing tyre wear, increasing uptime and avoiding costly breakdowns, lowering maintenance costs, and optimising fuel savings. The upgraded tyre management tools are designed to make fleet management efficient, convenient, sustainable and future-focused. The new On-Site App brings ContiConnect 2.0 directly to the user’s smartphone, making it extremely user-friendly.

Road transporter operators can proactively schedule maintenance work and workshop visits. This helps them avoid unplanned breakdowns or having to take trucks off the road. The data provided by the tyre sensors is expected to save fuel and avoid early tyre replacements and on-road breakdowns or blowouts, leading to a reduction in CO2 emissions.

TAkE A STEP INTO THE FUTURE

complete with a pre-mounted sensor which constantly monitors the pressure and temperature of the tyre and transmits the information in real time to the ContiPressureCheck system. The data can then be displayed in the driver cabin or sent directly to the operator’s headquarters via a telematics system.

The sensors mounted inside the tyre can also be purchased separately and retrofitted. However, ordering Continental’s intelligent tyre with the premounted ContiPressureCheck tyre sensor not only saves on resources for installation, but Continental also guarantees the optimum positioning and mounting of the sensor.

Continental currently provides a Standard package for tyre pressure and temperature measurement, and in the near future will offer an advanced version that can capture a range of additional data such as tread depth and tyre condition.