Press Release
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Tire performance is thecritical factor in transferring forces to the road and maximizing overall grip
That’s why driver assistance systemsdepend on tires withmaximumgrip
Braking distancesreduced by up to 20 percent since2000
Premium tires boost safety, driving pleasure and economy
Hanover, June 2015. Over the last 15 years, tires have been responsible for significant improvements inactive safety. To this end, premium tire manufacturersin particular, including Continental, have developed more advancedcompounds, broughtthe construction of theirtiresinto line with the state of the artand optimized their tread patterns. As a result,braking distanceshave become much shorter, handling precision has improved immensely and rolling resistance has beensignificantly reduced. True, when comparing a new tire with its direct predecessor, the development engineers can usually claim “only” single-digit improvements in percentage terms. But comparing a tire from 2000 with a current modelreveals what remarkable progresshas been made. When the wet braking performance of a current tire and a tire with the old design were compared, the difference was almost 20 percent.
Continentalconducted this unusual comparison at the Continental TechShow 2015. In the test, amodel year 2015BMW 1 Seriesmodelwas fitted with ContiPremiumContactpassenger tires from model year 2000with theconstruction and tread typical of that tireat the time. Thenthe test engineers fitted a carfrom model year 2000with the latest ContiPremiumContact 5 tires. When the two cars were tested back-to-backon thewet handling course at the Contidrom,the 15-year-old car showed a marked improvement in performance as the greatly improved gripenabledbraking and steering commands to be executed more safely and precisely. This allowed the car to make up, at least in part, for the absence of electronic stability control. The performance of the new car on the old tires dropped away substantially, however. It seems that even the most advanced driver assistance systemsare not able to offset thedevelopment progress made between the old and new tire models.
Tires bear a large share of responsibility foractive safety. Only technologically advanced premium products can guarantee shortbraking distances, a high level of steering precision and strong directional stability, and ensure aquaplaning is avoided. That is whyContinental recommends fitting premium tires even on olderpassenger cars,to helpoffset the absence of the latest safety and assistance systems. The comparison test also highlighted that even new vehicles equipped with an array of assistance systemswill only achieve maximumperformanceif their tires can transfer the dynamic forces to the road andtranslate them effectivelyintogrip.
Continental AG
Continental develops intelligent technologies for transporting people and their goods. As a reliable partner, the international automotive supplier, tire manufacturer, and industrial partner provides sustainable, safe, comfortable, individual, and affordable solutions. In 2014, the corporation generated preliminary sales of approximately €34.5 billion with its five divisions, Chassis & Safety, Interior, Powertrain, Tire, and ContiTech. Continental currently employs approximately 200,000 people in 53 countries.
Tire Division
The Tire Division currently has 24 production and development locations worldwide. The broad product range and continuous investments in R&D make a major contribution to cost-effective and ecologically efficient mobility. As one of the world's leading tire manufacturers with more than 47,000 employees, the Tire Division achieved sales of €9.8 billion in 2014.
Passenger and Light Truck Tires
Continental is one of the leading manufacturers of passenger and light truck tires in Europe and the world's fourth largest passenger tire manufacturer in the original equipment and replacement market. The product development focus of the Continental premium brand is to optimize all safety-relevant characteristics, while simultaneously minimizing rolling resistance.
Media Database
Alexander Bahlmann
Head of PR, Passenger and Light Truck Tires
Continental AG
Tire division
Büttnerstrasse 25, 30165 Hanover, Germany
Tel.: +49 (0) 511 938 2615
Fax: +49 (0) 511 938 2455
/ Klaus Engelhart
Press Spokesman, Passenger and Light Truck/Two-Wheel Tires
Continental AG
Tire division
Büttnerstrasse 25, 30165 Hanover, Germany
Tel.: +49 (0) 511 938 2285
Fax: +49 (0) 511 938 2455
Your contact
Klaus Engelhart, Phone: + 49 (0) 511 938 2285