New summer van tyre from Continental

Continental has launched its new VanContact Ultra, a summer tyre developed specifically for delivery and trade vehicles.

Because of this, Continental says its new tyre comes with important capabilities for economical driving, even in urban environments; Very high mileage, robust design, low tyre/road noise and low rolling resistance.

This year, Continental adds that it will manufacture 20 variations of the new delivery van tyre, for rims between 15 and 17 inches in diameter and for load capacities of up to 1,450 kg (load index 121); approved for speeds up to 210 km/h. Production of the first VanContact Ultra sizes began in March.

Trips by vans in urban environments have seen an increase over the years, particular during the lockdown periods caused by Covid-19. So tyre sustainability is key.

Continental uses the latest generation of functionalised polymers in its compound, to combine high mileage, the lowest possible rolling resistance and robustness. The closed outer shoulder featured on the tread design also serves the high service life of the tyre, by keeping the tyre and road noise particularly low.

To prevent tyres from being damaged by stones that get stuck in their tread grooves, “stone stoppers” are attached in the outer two grooves, preventing the teeth intermeshing between the rubber and stones and ensuring that any objects that penetrate are quickly ejected.

The reinforced sidewalls are another means with which the new VanContact Ultra is made as robust as possible. They use blocks to protect the sensitive sides of the tyre against damage from contact with the curb, which is often unavoidable during delivery in urban areas.

The new VanContact Ultra achieved the following EU tyre label certification: a “B” rating in rolling resistance, the top “A” grade for wet braking distance and a “B” for rolling noise.