Continental launched the fifth-generation Conti Eco tyre line for freight transport, addressing the needs of haulage companies facing rising costs, stricter regulations, and a growing focus on sustainability. The new tyres in the EMEA region are designed to significantly reduce fuel consumption, CO2 emissions, and overall operating costs.

Continental achieved a breakthrough by optimising rolling resistance and mileage, previously conflicting goals in tyre development. The Conti Eco HS 5 for steer axles and Conti Eco HD 5 for drive axles utilise a two-layer tread construction and innovative compounds to deliver high mileage, robustness, and lower rolling resistance.

“We are in no doubt that we are offering our customers the right tyre at the right time,” says Ferdinand Hoyos, Head of Continental’s Business Area Replacement Tires EMEA. “Sustainability and cost efficiency have long gone hand in hand at Continental,” explains Hoyos. “And interest in this area is now growing across the market, which lends extra weight to our strategy.” A recent study by Boston Consulting for CLEPA confirms that cost remains the top decision factor, but sustainability is gaining importance.

“Our new tyre builds on its successful predecessors, the Conti EcoPlus Gen3+ for long-distance haulage and the Conti EcoRegional Gen3+ for regional transport,” explains Hinnerk Kaiser, who is responsible for the development of truck and bus tyres at Continental. “The new Conti Eco brings together the best qualities of the Conti EcoPlus and Conti EcoRegional and elevates them to a new level.”

Continental is streamlining its product portfolio by consolidating tyre lines with the new Conti Eco. Optimised rolling resistance and higher mileage allow for a “mileage-neutral” approach to reducing rolling resistance across all tyre components, including the casing construction, treads, and overall contour design.

Technical improvements in the Conti Eco HS 5 and HD 5 deliver clear benefits. A thicker under-tread in the steer axle version reduces rolling resistance, enabling mileage-focused compounds. The drive axle version features an optimised shoulder design for even wear, further improving mileage. New casing components and bead geometry further contribute to the overall performance.

The combined effect is a significant reduction in rolling resistance (up to 12 percent) and an increase in mileage (up to 10 percent) compared to previous models. This translates to environmental and economic benefits for fleet operators, particularly those facing EU emissions-based tolls. Switching a 100-vehicle fleet (80,000 km annual mileage) from the EcoRegional HS 3+/HD 3+ to the Conti Eco HS 5/HD 5 could save up to €69,000 and reduce CO2 emissions by 120 metric tonnes per year.

“In the past, if a tyre ran particularly smoothly and therefore needed less drive energy, that might come at the expense of robustness and durability,” points out Kaiser.

 Beyond fuel efficiency, the Conti Eco tyres offer excellent grip and handling in various weather conditions and outstanding traction throughout their lifespan. Additionally, they can be factory-equipped with the latest-generation sensors to facilitate fleet digitalization and real-time monitoring via the ContiConnect 2.0 tyre management solution. This, combined with Continental’s retreading solutions (up to 70 percent recycled materials, 40 percent cost savings), further reduces operating costs.

“If our product increases the fuel efficiency of a truck and lasts longer, the result is lower CO2 emissions,” says Kaiser.

The new Conti Eco tyres will be available in numerous sizes, starting with the following:

315/70 R 22.5 Conti Eco HS 5

315/80 R 22.5 Conti Eco HS 5

385/55 R 22.5 Conti Eco HS 5

385/65 R 22.5 Conti Eco HS 5

315/70 R 22.5 Conti Eco HD 5

315/80 R 22.5 Conti Eco HD 5

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Hyundai has selected Continental's PremiumContact C tyre as original equipment for its all-electric Hyundai IONIQ 9 SUV. This 21-inch tyre carries an XL marking, signifying its enhanced load capacity, a critical feature for supporting the substantial weight of an electric SUV. The design includes a rim protection rib to help prevent damage to the vehicle's wheels.

As a premium summer tyre developed for robust SUVs, the PremiumContact C combines safety, comfort and durability. Its more robust construction directly addresses the need for a higher load-bearing capacity. An innovative tread pattern, which incorporates adaptive sipe technology, is central to its performance, providing precise handling and reliable grip on both dry and wet road surfaces, even under full load. Furthermore, an extended contact patch promotes optimal pressure distribution against the road, contributing to shorter braking distances and reduced rolling noise.

A key feature for the IONIQ 9 is the integration of ContiSilent technology. This innovation actively dampens road noise within the passenger cabin, reducing intrusive sound levels by up to nine decibels for a noticeably quieter and more comfortable driving experience. This specific tyre line, sized 285/45 R21 113 V XL FR ContiSilent, has received original equipment approval for the vehicle across numerous global markets.

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Hankook Tire has been chosen as the original equipment manufacturer for the Volkswagen Tiguan and Tayron SUV models, fitting them with its Ventus evo SUV tyre. This partnership covers a wide range of specifications, with six different tyre sizes from 17 to 20 inches available for the immensely popular Tiguan and five sizes for the five or seven-seater Tayron crossover. A key identifier for these specially developed tyres is a circled plus sign on the sidewall, signifying they are built to Volkswagen’s precise standards and are approved for factory installation on new vehicles.

The collaborative development process, centred at the Hankook Tire Technology Center in Hannover, prioritised a harmonious blend of comfort and dynamic performance. A major focus throughout the design phase was achieving the lowest possible noise level. Through meticulous tread design and an innovative compound in the tread material, the Ventus evo SUV attains a noise level below 66 decibels. This performance is crucial, as it helps the overall vehicle meet Volkswagen's strict maximum noise requirement of 68 decibels, significantly enhancing cabin quietness.

Further technical hallmarks of these premium tyres include Opti Pitch and Kerf designs, which work to minimise road noise. The implementation of Dual Pitch technology varies the number of tread blocks on the inner and outer sections of the tyre, a feature that enhances steering precision during cornering while also contributing to a quieter ride. Engineers carefully calibrated the tread height to ensure these acoustic benefits do not come at the expense of critical performance areas such as traction, braking, cornering stability or the tyre’s overall lifespan.

Final validation of the Ventus evo SUV involved rigorous testing that extended beyond laboratory simulations to demanding real-world tracks, including the challenging Nürburgring Nordschleife. This extensive testing protocol confirmed the capabilities of all tyre sizes. Furthermore, Hankook tailored the driving character of the tyres by size; the 17-, 18- and 19-inch variants are engineered for superior comfort, while the 20-inch version offers a distinctly sportier feel. Production for the European market is handled at Hankook’s manufacturing facility in Rácalmás, Hungary.

Klaus Krause, Vice President and Head of Europe Technical Centre at Hankook Tire, said, “The provision of original equipment for the two SUV models Tiguan and Tayron is further proof that the Volkswagen Group considers Hankook Tire one of its top development partners in the tyre sector. We have succeeded in perfectly matching our premium summer tyre, Ventus evo SUV, in every tyre size to the driving characteristics of the two models and achieved our goal of combining the requirements for high comfort over long distances with a sporty character.”

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Sumitomo Rubber Industries has announced that its Thailand-based affiliate will provide original equipment tyres for the newly unveiled Toyota Hilux Travo. The vehicle will be fitted with the specially optimised Dunlop Grandtrek A/T31 tyres.

These tyres were meticulously engineered to meet the demanding and varied conditions the Hilux Travo is expected to encounter. Through enhancements to their shape, internal structure and tread pattern, the tyres achieve a refined balance of travel performance, durability and comfort. A newly developed compound and a unique tread block sequence work in concert to deliver capable on-road and off-road performance while also ensuring quiet operation.

Furthermore, the dedicated tyre design aims for improved fuel efficiency and reliable handling on wet road surfaces.

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Continental said it is supplying a range of summer and winter tyres for Porsche’s all-electric Macan, with the SUV offered with the SportContact 6 for high-performance driving, the CrossContact RX for comfort and all-season use, and the WinterContact TS 860 S for winter conditions.

All tyres feature the XL marking, indicating increased load capacity. The models approved for the Macan carry Porsche’s “NE0” sidewall designation.

The SportContact 6, part of Continental’s ultra-ultra-high-performance segment, is designed for speeds of up to 350 km/h. The company said engineers optimised the compound, tread and construction to deliver “exceptional grip and outstanding safety at high speeds”. The tyre features a newly developed reinforcement structure and a tread designed to maximise force transmission.

The CrossContact RX, aimed at drivers prioritising comfort and reduced road noise, combines a specialised tread and siping design with groove geometry intended to improve water clearance and reduce aquaplaning risk. Depending on specification, it is approved for speeds up to 270 km/h, with Macan-specific versions rated V (up to 240 km/h).

For winter use, Porsche recommends the WinterContact TS 860 S, which Continental said provides “maximum control, stability and driving enjoyment” for sports-oriented vehicles. The tyre is engineered to manage instant torque from electric powertrains and features low rolling resistance to help extend driving range.

Continental supplies original-equipment tyres to most of Porsche’s line-up, including the Taycan, Cayenne and Panamera.

Approved tyre sizes for the Macan include:

• SportContact 6 NE0: 295/40 R21 111Y XL; 255/45 R21 106Y XL
• CrossContact RX NE0: 295/35 R22 108V XL; 255/40 R22 103V XL; 295/40 R21 111V XL; 255/45 R21 106V XL; 285/45 R20 112V XL; 235/55 R20 105V XL
• WinterContact TS 860 S NE0: 295/35 R22 108V XL; 255/40 R22 103V XL; 285/40 R21 109V XL; 255/45 R21 106V XL

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