ContiSportContact 2 Vmax
New BFGoodrich g-Force Profiler
Firestone launches Vanhawk
New Turanza ER300 Touring Tyre from Bridgestone
New Michelin Pilot Exalto

ContiSportContact 2 Vmax

Continental's new ContiSportContact 2 Vmax tyre, which is the first "standard" road tyre to be approved for speeds of up to 225 mph, is now available. The high-tech tyre has been specifically designed for ultra-fast, customized performance sports cars and will be available in four sizes from Spring 2004. With exclusive high-performance cars now capable of speeds previously only heard of in the domain of Formula 1, Continental's ContiSportContact 2 Vmax has been developed in direct response to the demand for a tyre to cope with such demands.

The new ContiSportContact 2 Vmax super-sport tyre boasts the following unique features and benefits:

• Cooler running when travelling at high speed through additional tread grooves
• Improved handling due to a lower than tread depth of 6.3 to 7 millimetres (standard 8mm)
• Improved performance in the wet through optimised tread pattern

Mark Hopkins, Brand Manager at Continental, said, "The Vmax is a natural evolution in our production of high speed tyres. It is designed with drivers of ultra-high performance cars in mind who want to get the most out of their car. The strengthened carcass also means the tyre is more able to cope with the higher stresses from high-torque engines. The fact that this tyre exceeds all previously approved speed ratings I believe clearly demonstrates Continental's technological expertise and strength in tyre innovation. I am sure it will quickly prove itself as the indispensable accessory for any serious ultra-high performance driver."

The launch of this new premium high performance Vmax tyre demonstrates Continental's unequivocal commitment and presence in this fast growing dynamic sector of the market. The emergence of the Vmax onto the market will exceed the tyre speed symbol scale that currently ends with the "Y" index. With a tyre that now surpasses this 187mph upper limit, the classic "ZR" speed category - approved for speeds in excess of 150mph - has been authorised as the service description for the new high-end sports tyre.

The following tyre sizes of the ContiSportContact 2 Vmax are in preparation:

For the Mercedes E Class, the BMW 5 series and customised vehicles: 245/35 ZR 19 XL 275/30 ZR 19 XL

For Porsche and customised vehicles: 235/35 ZR 19 XL 315/25 ZR 19

New BFGoodrich g-Force Profiler

BFGoodrich has added a new tyre to its high performance line-up with the launch of the new g-Force Profiler. Initially available in 53 sizes to fit rim diameters from 15 to 20 inches this tyre is targeted at drivers looking for excellent overall performance, exceptional dry grip and high levels of driver feedback.

The g-Force Profiler is available in three tuning market sizes never before available: 225/30 ZR 20, 225/30 ZR 19 and 225/30 ZR 18. These tyres are direct original equipment replacements on cars including the Audi A3, Ford Focus, Peugeot 206, Renault Clio, Vauxhall Astra and VW Golf.

To ensure its outstanding performance the g-Force Profiler benefits from the new ICG Pack (Improved Grip Components). This is a combination of two essential elements: a super-fluid directional tread design and a unique rubber compound. Together these are claimed to offer excellent road holding on all types of road surfaces, particularly in dry conditions.

The symmetrical directional tread pattern ensures an extra-large contact patch thanks to narrow tread grooves and the corresponding low void ratio. This means there is more rubber in contact with the road surface for better grip. The directional design of the tread pattern also optimises water clearance in standing water, ensuring optimum safety on wet roads.

Firestone launches Vanhawk

Firestone is showcasing its new medium and high load-carrying capacity van tyre, the Vanhawk, at the Geneva Motor Show. It will be introduced in the UK from April 2004, progressively replacing Firestone's existing workhorse, the CV3000.

"The new Vanhawk is a tougher, more durable tyre, with long-lasting performance, especially suitable for modern vehicles operating in urban conditions" said Des Collins, vice president of sales & marketing at Bridgestone Europe. "It has high-level all round performance; that's why we've brought back the famous 'hawk' name associated with so many Firestone successes".

The first thing you notice about the Vanhawk is its strong, solid, modern-looking appearance. This is due to its wider tread, which improves wear life and road grip, and the advanced pattern design that gives outstanding wet performance. But the real difference in the Vanhawk is found underneath the attractive exterior, where the construction, components and materials have all been designed for durability. Stress and heat build-up are two serious threats to tyre durability. In the Vanhawk, stress levels have been significantly reduced by the robust belt construction featuring larger rubber gauges between the belt edges. Heat build-up in the tread has been drastically reduced too, by re-engineering the cap and base construction. Durability has been further increased by the computer-optimised sidewall shape and an improved bead construction, with a new bead filler compound.

According to Firestone, The Vanhawk has provided improvements in wet and dry handling as well as in mileage performance. This longer wear life is due to the Vanhawk's wider tread width, combined with the continuous ribs around the tread which reduce the risk of irregular 'heel and toe' wear. The tread compound was also specially selected for its excellent wear properties.

Initially, 6 sizes will be available in April, and from September onwards all 21 sizes - from 175/75 R14 to 225/65 R16C - will be on sale.

New Turanza ER300 Touring Tyre from Bridgestone

Bridgestone has upgraded and streamlined its Turanza range of touring tyres, with the launch of the premium Turanza ER300. It will replace the existing Turanza ER30 and ER70 products, in a phased introduction across Europe from January 2004.

The new Turanza ER300, which is Bridgestone's first touring tyre with an asymmetric tread pattern, provides high-level comfort, control, and wet safety. It is designed for both the replacement market and as original equipment for car manufacturers. The new Vauxhall Astra has already left the factory fitted with Turanza ER300 tyres and more fitments with other major manufacturers are on the way.

Development of the new tyre was prompted by Bridgestone's desire to stay ahead of market trends, especially the strong growth in sales of ultra high performance tyres. In 2002, sales of H, V, W, Y and Z speed-rated tyres accounted for 50% of summer passenger tyres, compared with only a third in 1997 The new Turanza ER300 has been designed to complement the engine power and ride comfort of luxury and mid-range touring models.

To maximise ride comfort Bridgestone engineers have redesigned the sidewall and improved the bead fitment, reducing the vibration generated between tyre and rim. Acoustic comfort is also increased by a closed shoulder rib, a reinforced tie bar rib design and new rounded block edges, which give smoother contact with the road surface. By lowering peak noise levels on every block and dispersing sound across a range of different frequencies - making noise more difficult to detect - the Turanza ER300 tread pattern produces an extremely quiet ride.

The Turanza ER300 incorporates an asymmetric tread pattern, which allows the tyre to provide high-level performance in different areas that are normally in conflict. This, says Bridgestone, is how the new Turanza ER300 succeeds in delivering a high-level balanced performance, with outstanding wet grip without compromising excellent dry handling and stability.

It is the inner part of a tyre's pattern that mainly determines the level of wet performance. The new Turanza's inner tread is designed with lens-shaped blocks with rounded edges that reduce water turbulence and improve drainage away into the main grooves, thus giving more grip and traction on wet surfaces. The risk of hydroplaning is reduced by a "winding" groove round the circumference of the tyre, creating a more balanced water flow speed between the lugs and groove for more uniform water evacuation. In terms of materials, Bridgestone have developed a tread compound with high silica content and a special ingredient that prevents the compound from hardening over time, thus ensuring a more consistent wet performance over the life of the tyre.

Dry performance is determined mainly by the outer part of the tread pattern, where grip, control and road holding increase with the amount of rubber in contact with the road. The outer part of the Turanza ER300 is constructed with much stiffer transversal blocks, which improve handling - especially on corners - and reduce irregular 'heel and toe' wear. Low-angle lugs improve handling and wear-rate further. The solid longitudinal rib in the centre of the tyre provides extremely sharp steering response and control, as well as straight-line stability at higher speeds.

The new premium Bridgestone Turanza ER300 touring tyre is available in the replacement market in 30 sizes, from 185/60 R14 H to 225/45 ZR17 W. It will fit the majority of popular luxury and mid-range touring saloons, grand tourers, and estates.

New Michelin Pilot Exalto

Drawing on the expertise gained in motorsport and to further strengthen its high performance tyre range Michelin has launched the new Pilot Exalto. Aimed at owners of hot hatches, coupes and convertibles this new tyre is designed for drivers who like to have fun at the wheel.

Michelin's researchers have worked constantly to improve on the original Pilot Exalto since it was introduced in 2000. The result is a tyre that offers exceptional life, and a new tread pattern inspired by the Michelin Pilot Sport that combines outstanding aesthetics with all-weather performance.

The Michelin Pilot Exalto's handling performance on dry roads stems primarily from the Variable Contact Patch (VCP) concept. The tread surface on the outer shoulder is maximised to enhance the road contact patch in corners. This, combined with more effectively distributed ground-pressure in the contact patch, optimises traction, grip and road holding at all speeds, both in a straight line and in corners.

The asymmetric tread pattern of the Pilot Exalto has a groove to rubber ratio of 30 per cent on the outer shoulder and 38 per cent on the inner shoulder. The outer shoulder with fewer grooves ensures optimum handling on dry roads. The inside shoulder design takes over on wet surfaces where the larger number of grooves breaks up the film of water and evacuates it through wide longitudinal channels. This tread design also offers exceptional feel around the straight-ahead position, even in the wet.

A new silica-based tread compound, used here for the first time on a production tyre, grew out of the Michelin technology centre's latest research and breakthroughs achieved in motorsport competition. The effectiveness of this innovation has been proven on the test track, where in the wet the new Michelin Pilot Exalto improved lap speeds by more than 2.5 per cent compared with the previous generation - already known for its excellent wet weather performance.

The Clio Renaultsport 182 was the first car to benefit from the new Pilot Exalto as original equipment and the tyre will be available on the replacement market from April 2004. The range will comprise 27 sizes covering rim diameters from 14 to 17 inches.