New ContiPremiumContact 2 with 3D groove:
(Hanover / Athens, February 2005) The new
ContiPremiumContact 2 summer tyre sets standards in braking on wet and dry roads, thanks to its exceptional tread pattern design. Its distinctive feature is the 3D groove which has shallow and steep sides to ensure high tread block stability, even in critical driving situations such as making sharp manoeuvres. The new tyre, which was specifically developed for medium range and luxury cars, also reflects the considerable progress achieved by the tyre developers at Continental in terms of aquaplaning performance, steering precision, driving stability and rolling noise. The combination of an innovative tyre contour and third generation silica compound meant further improvements could be made to the mileage performance of the new
ContiPremiumContact 2.
The innovative 3D groove was developed by the engineers at Continental for the ContiPremiumContact 2; its steep and shallow sides enhance the safety of the tyre = s driving characteristics on both wet and dry roads. A The steep flank of the tread groove functions much like a windscreen wiper, penetrating the film of water and thereby ensuring that direct contact between the tyre and the road is maintained @ explains Dr. Frank Walloch, developer of the new summer
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tyre designed for cars in the medium range segment and above. A This reduces braking distances on wet roads. The shallow side of the tread groove stiffens the tread pattern, thereby shortening braking distances on dry roads.
@ Thanks to the sturdy tread lugs, there is always a very large contact area between the tyre and the road. A sturdy, circumferential
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Press Release rib on the tyre outer shoulder also helps to keep braking distances short on dry roads.
A further benefit of the 3D groove is the accelerated water dispersion from the ground contact patch. The interaction between the steep and shallow sides creates a swirl effect in the grooves, which accelerates water dispersion. The wide longitudinal grooves in the tread pattern pick up the water quickly, thereby ensuring good tread grip in the centre of the tyre. The combination of longitudinal and lateral grooves means that aquaplaning occurs later than usual, an additional bonus in terms of safety.
Asymmetrical design enhances handling characteristics
The asymmetrical tread pattern enabled the tyre developers to further improve both handling and comfort. The sturdy tread lugs found on the outer side of the tyre increase lateral guidance. They make the design more rigid and transmit steering commands quickly and precisely. The inner side of the tyre now features more tread blocks: A This design allowed us to achieve low rolling noise and thus high driving comfort @ explains Dr. Frank Walloch.
Innovative tyre contour reduces slip
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Further improvements to the tread contour have made the ground contact patch more harmonious with even pressure distribution. The flat belt contour below the tread reduces the slip which occurs both when driving on the straight and cornering; overall this meant a further improvement in the mileage performance. Thanks to the use of a new compound processing method, combined with a new type of silica and the integration of active carbon blacks, the tread is now even stiffer, handling has been enhanced and mileage
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Press Release performance also improved.
The sum total of these measures has meant progress in all tyre characteristics; compared with its successful predecessor, the ContiPremiumContact 2 has reduced braking distances and improved handling by four per cent each, with aquaplaning safety enhanced by five per cent.
The new tyre is therefore fully in line with the brand philosophy of the Hanover-based tyre manufacturers A More safety = Continental @ . Continental wants to use the new
ContiPremiumContact 2 to further develop its market position, not just in the replacement tyre but also in the
Original Equipment business. The company is currently No.
1 in the European Original Equipment business, commanding a market share of over 26 per cent. One in four cars coming off the production line is fitted with Continental tyres. Over 30 million units of the ContiPremiumContact were produced in five years and this tyre was fitted as Original
Equipment by almost all leading car manufacturers in Europe and beyond.
The Continental Group is a leading supplier of tyres, braking systems, suspension components, vehicle electronics and
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Press Release technical elastomers. In 2003 the company achieved a turnover of 11.5 billion euros and currently employs some
73,000 staff worldwide.
The tyre business unit is an Official Partner of the 2006 FIFA
World Cup Germany TM .
For further information visit the websites www.conti-online.com and www.ContiFanWorld.com.
Klaus Engelhart
Public Relations Tyres
Continental AG
Büttnerstr. 25
Lars Döhmann
D-30165 Hanover
Germany
Public Relations Tyres
Continental AG
Büttnerstr. 25
D-30165 Hanover
Germany
Phone: +49 511 938 2285
Fax: +49 511 938 2455
Phone: +49 511 938 2370
Fax: +49 511 938 2462
E-mail: klaus.engelhart@conti.de E-mail: lars.doehmann@conti.de
Website: www.conti-online.com
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