Continental has started production of the new VanContact Eco – a light commercial vehicle and van tire designed to provide high mileage, precise handling and short braking distances on wet and dry roads.
During the development, engineers refined the tread pattern and used the compound from the predecessor product, the ContiVanContact 200, as a basis, refining the composition. Meanwhile, a special polymer compound enables minimal compromise between wet-weather properties and rolling resistance. Thanks to the tire’s favorable deformation behavior, less energy is absorbed as the tire rolls, maximizing the vehicle’s fuel efficiency. Newly developed additives in the tread compound also help reduce the tire’s rolling resistance.
A completely re-engineered tread pattern is characterized by wide, sturdy ribs in the tire’s center and on the shoulders. The increased stability means less wheel spin, noticeably reducing wear, while significantly improving the handling characteristics of the tire, even under heavy loads. The larger contact patch provides space for the new arrangement of tread grooves, blocks and sipes, with smoother edge rolling, reducing road noise. Not only does the new design of the circumferential center grooves have a positive effect on the noise level, it also improves aquaplaning characteristics at the same time.
The VanContact Eco achieves an A rating for fuel consumption and an A for wet grip on the EU tire label.
Continental will initially offer it in 10 popular sizes for 15-17in rims, in widths from 195-255mm and with aspect ratios from 50-75%. It will be approved for speeds of up to 118mph (190km/h).
