Continental steps up new-compound tire production

Weybridge, UK – Continental has started volume production of its new EcoContact 6 tire, making 95 sizes – for 13” to 22” rims – available for the replacement market from this month, officials said at a 7 May UK media forum.

The summer tire is said to offer 20% higher mileage, 15% lower rolling resistance, 6% better wet braking; 2% better dry braking and more precise handling than its predecessor.

The improvements are linked to a “redesigned” silica-compound, according to Dr. Philipp Struck, head of tire line development EMEA OE at the Hanover, Germany-based group.

This, he said, allow an optimised polymer-filler interaction and component distribution, while “innovative” additives help the tire contact-patch adapt to the road surface.

Continental has labelled materials incorporating these innovations GreenChili 2.0, to signify its best-available eco-tire compound technology that delivers the best balance between fuel consumption, braking and mileage performance.

Struck’s presentation included a chart for wet-braking and rolling-resistance showing an A/A label for majority of tires employing such compounds.

The EcoContact 6 has received approvals from 12 European vehicle manufacturers for factory-fitting on compact to mid-range models, continued Struck.

The tire is approved for speeds up to 186mph, according to the Continental, which has billed the product as “an answer to diversification” across a wide range of vehicles.