Press release
Continental's summer tyre range for MPVs and light vans
For camping, leisure and site use
Hanover / Essen, May 2008. MPVs, light vans and mobile homes are all used for
different purposes, which is why the manufacturers design them according to their
respective application. Continental has three summer tyre ranges in its portfolio - the
VancoContact 2, Vanco 2 and VancoCamper - which match the vehicle concepts
perfectly.
The VancoContact 2 - car-like driving comfort for MPVs
The VancoContact 2 was developed specifically for family MPVs and small light vans,
vehicles with a relatively high centre of gravity, which are occasionally used to transport heavy
loads. The VancoContact 2 is particularly impressive, because it not only provides a
comfortable ride equal to that of a car tyre, it also offers outstanding handling characteristics
and high economy. The pronounced cornering stability of the VancoContact 2 is the result of
its new, stiff shoulder design. The centre section is similarly stiff to ensure even pressure
distribution in the ground contact patch. This gives the tyre its precise steering response,
together with short braking distances; in conjunction with an optimised, flat belt contour, it
also reduces wear, thereby increasing mileage performance. The three wide circumferential
grooves, which pick up water efficiently in the contact patch and disperse it via numerous
lateral channels, ensure that the tyre provides a high degree of safety even on wet roads.
Depending on its size, the VancoContact 2 is designed for speeds of up to 190 km/h (118
mph) and is available for 13", 14", 15" and 16" rims in 17 sizes up to 215/60 R 16 with Load
Index 103/101. The following sizes will be introduced this summer:
$
175/70 R 14 C 95/93 T,
$
185/65 R 15 92 T RF,
$
215/65 R 15 C 104/102 T and
$
215/60 R 16 C 103/101 T.
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The Vanco 2 - rugged and safe for light vans
Launched in 2007, the Vanco 2 for light vans replaces the successful Vanco tyre and was
optimised in all respects versus its predecessor. In particular the developers managed to
substantially enhance the tyre's economy, improving mileage performance by up to 20%. To
achieve this, they not only increased the tread depth, they also used an innovative, wearresistant long-life tread compound in conjunction with an extremely flat contour design that
ensures even ground pressure distribution. The Vanco 2 also offers excellent braking
performance in the wet. The additional safety reserves are the result of the re-designed
network structure featuring longitudinal and lateral sipes in the tread ribs. This increases the
effective braking area and ensures optimum interlocking with the road for more grip on wet
surfaces. The solid design of the tyre, with its scuff rib and traction off-shoulder, means the
tyre can also be used on unsurfaced tracks, such as those on construction sites.
The tyres were developed for speeds of up to 190 km/h (118 mph), depending on the size.
They are available for 14", 15", 16" and 17" rims in 24 sizes right up to 255/55 R 17 C and
load capacities of up to 1,450 kg. That includes the nine sizes launched this year from 195/70
R 15 C 100/98 R to 235/60 R 17 C 117/115 R.
The VancoCamper - specially developed for mobile homes
Manufacturers and drivers of mobile homes make very specific demands on tyres, because
the vehicles are often designed with the weight on the rear; moreover, the access tracks to
and through campsites are not always surfaced and occasionally the tyres have to survive
longer stationary periods under heavy load. This is what makes the VancoCamper stand out
in the Continental portfolio. The latest issue (5/2008) of the German motoring magazine pro
mobil tested this tyre and confirmed its promise, naming it as the test winner, with the rating
'very good'.
In technical terms, the VancoCamper is based on the development of the Vanco tyre for
MPVs and light vans, with special modifications for its particular field of applications. The belt
and casing sections were reinforced, for example, to make the tyre more resistant to
overloading and to external influences, such as the difficult terrain typically encountered on
campsites. A thicker inner layer improves the tyre's air-tightness. This helps to avoid underinflation and lengthens the service intervals. The exceptionally stiff sidewall design ensures
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safer driving, something that particularly benefits tail-heavy mobile homes when changing
direction.
The VancoCamper is available in three common mobile home sizes for 15" and 16" rims with
Load Indices up to 116 and Speed Index R.
With targeted annual sales of more than i26.4 billion in 2008, the Continental Corporation is
one of the world's leading automotive suppliers. As a supplier of tyres, brake systems,
systems and components for the power train and chassis, instrumentation, infotainment
solutions, vehicle electronics and technical elastomers, the corporation contributes towards
enhanced driving safety and protection of the global climate. Continental is also a competent
partner in networked automobile communication. Today, the corporation employs
approximately 150,000 people at nearly 200 locations in 36 countries.
The tyre divisions are an Official Sponsor of UEFA EURO 2008 TM, which will be held in
Austria and Switzerland in June 2008. For further details, visit www.ContiSoccerWorld.de,
www.ContiFanWorld.com and www.conti-online.com.
Alexander Lührs
Head of Public Relations PLT-Tyres
Continental AG
Büttnerstraße 25
D-30165 Hannover, Germany
Tel.: +49 511 938 2615
E-mail: alexander.luehrs@conti.de
www.conti-online.com
Klaus Engelhart
Press Officer
Continental AG
Büttnerstraße 25
D-30165 Hannover, Germany
Tel.: +49 511 938 2285
E-mail: klaus.engelhart@conti.de
Picture database at: http://mediacenter.conti-online.com
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