First bus and coach tires from Continental at CV Show 2013

ERJ staff report (BC)

Southall, UK - Continental will launch its first dedicated bus and coach tires at the CV Show 2013, NEC, Birmingham, UK, 9-11 April, along with revised ContiVanContact van tires and a new tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS).

Conti Coach for long-distance coach operations has been designed for “excellent” rolling resistance, greater fuel economy and higher mileage than its predecessor.

The Conti CityPlus for regional or intercity applications has a thicker sidewall to protect the tire from damage, as well as enhanced wet braking capabilities throughout the life of the tire due to a new 3D tread structure, says the company.

The Conti Urban, for inner city use, has a new tread compound as well as a thicker sidewall. It is designed to withstand continuous braking and acceleration.

The ContiVanContact 100 tire uses a flat contour and part silica compound with a view to greater mileage capability.

The ContiVanContact 200 for car-derived vans has “aqua grooves” in the shoulder and sipes in the centre of the pattern, said to create a “windscreen wiper” effect to improve handling and braking capabilities, reducing stopping distances, especially in the wet.

ContiPressureCheck is the only tire pressure monitoring system to generate pressure and temperature data from a sensor mounted inside the tire itself, says Continental.

The company notes that over 90 per cent of tire failures are preceded by slow leaks that cause gradual loss of tire pressure. Identifying a failure early can both prevent punctures and reduce operating costs by warning of underinflated tires.

Continental will be at Stand HG80 in Hall 5 at the CV Show 2013.