ContiPremiumContact 2

New Nokian Z Combines Advanced Technology and Environmental Friendliness
Semperit Launch New Comfort-Life S/T Tyre

ContiPremiumContact 2

The new ContiPremiumContact 2 summer tyre aims to set standards in braking on wet and dry roads, thanks to its exceptional tread pattern design. The tyre's distinctive feature is a 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 tyre.

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.

"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 tyre designed for cars in the medium range segment and above. "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 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. 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: "This design allowed us to achieve low rolling noise and thus high driving comfort" explains Dr. Frank Walloch. 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 performance also improved.

The sum total of these measures has meant progress in all tyre characteristics; compared with its 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 "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.

New Nokian Z Combines Advanced Technology and Environmental Friendliness

Finnish tyre manufacturer Nokian has introduced a new ultra-high performance tyre that combines excellent wet grip, precise controllability and clean rubber compounds. The new Nokian Z tyre is entirely manufactured without harmful high-aromatic oils and focuses on two core performance characteristics - safety under extreme conditions and environmental friendliness.

Nokian Z is a high-performance tyre for Nordic and European countries. The tyre's properties and driving qualities are designed for demanding driving, and are achieved using a novel tread solution. The full silica Nokian Z tread is made of five different rubber compounds. The centre rib compound ensures accurate steering and makes the tyre easy to handle. Thanks to the new tread compound, the central area of wide tyres wears evenly.

The tyre's shoulders are crucial to the grip. When braking or cornering, the contact pressure on the tyre is greater around the shoulders than in the centre. To enhance the braking and cornering grip, the shoulder area of the Nokian Z features a rubber compound with excellent wet grip; its composition ensures safety under extreme conditions. Meanwhile, the narrow wing zone in the outer edge of the shoulders provides excellent resistance to the strong deformations that cornering and springing motion cause in the area between the tread and sidewall. A compound layer that reduces rolling resistance, reduces heat emission, and reinforces the tyre structure has been inserted over the steel belt package under the tread compound. The fifth compound deepest down attaches to the steel belt package. The task of this adhesive compound is to improve the structural durability of the tyre.

Nokian Z is also the world's first W-speed rated tyre that is entirely manufactured without harmful high-aromatic oils. Purified, low-aromatic oils (also known as non-labelled oils) replaced HA oils in all of Nokian Tyres' production at the end of 2004. Thanks to high-quality rubber compounds and low heat emission, the Nokian Z wears evenly and maintains its good properties throughout its useful life. It is claimed to be exceptionally durable in its own product category. The tyre features precise steering and rolls easily thanks to a rolling resistance lower than that of corresponding products. The new acoustically optimised tread pattern and the noise cavities in the bottom of the grooves also dampen tyre noise, with both the drive-by and inside noise falling clearly below EU's new tyre noise limits. Nokian Z tyres will become available to consumers in the spring of 2005.

Semperit Launch New Comfort-Life S/T Tyre

Semperit has announced the introduction of the new Comfort-Life S/T tyre for sub-supermini, supermini and compact family cars. Comfort-Life, which will replace the popular Sport-Life and Top-Life 2 lines, boasts performance improvements in the key areas of safety, comfort and running costs.

Improved safety

The reassurance it provides the driver in critical driving situations is central to the sense of comfort which the new tyre delivers. The broad circumferential grooves, for example, allow for efficient intake and dispersal of water and thus excellent resistance to aquaplaning, both longitudinal and latitudinal. Both dry and wet braking have been improved, the latter by a significant 5%. This is brought about by the numerous block edges ensuring a firm grip with the road surface, as well as by the flat contour, which provides a large ground contact patch. A 'two-tier' sipe concept provides extra stiffness in the grooves, contributing both to improved handling and braking.

More acoustical comfort

The unique ellipsoidal tread blocks provide a uniform contact between the tyre and the road surface. This has led to a reduction in noise levels of ca. 2% and makes for an exceptionally smooth driving experience. Lower running costs The flat contour of the tyre, together with the low-friction compound, have enabled Semperit engineers to reduce rolling resistance by 3%. This means better fuel economy - important at a time when forecourt fuel prices have risen by around 5% in the past 18 months. Wear has also decreased, improving the tyre service life by 3%, and thereby further reducing running costs.

Designed for the sub-supermini to compact classes, dominated by models such as the Ford Ka, Peugeot 206 and VW Golf, the Comfort-Life is noticeable for its stylish 'ellipsoidal' tread design.

"The contemporary pattern reflects the soft lines and curves that characterise the current work of car designers, contrasting with the sharp, angular styles of previous decades," comments Semperit Brand Manager Mark Hopkins. "This modern style should find appeal with the urban, often younger motorists that defines the supermini and compact classes.

"While it's certainly the most distinctive design we have created for a Semperit tyre, it still holds true to the longstanding Semperit selling points of performance and economy." The tyre will be available initially in 28 sizes, from 135/80 R 13 to 175/55 R 15, with which it will cover over 92% of the S/T segment: