Continental Tire North America Inc. (CTNA) displayed three new consumer tires at its International Tire Expo booth in Las Vegas, Nev.
The ContiSportContact 2, an ultra-high performance tire, was created with the help of bionics, which solves engineering problems by using data about the functioning of biological systems.
"The ContiSportContact 2 was developed for luxury sports cars with powerful engines and sophisticated suspension systems," says Jim Mayfield, CTNA's marketing director. "Owners of these cars want fun at the wheel and design that reflects their individuality. They also demand safety, which means high cornering stability and shorter braking distances on both wet and dry roads."
The tire will be available in the domestic replacement and original equipment markets the second quarter of 2002.
The General AmeriTrac TR was designed for owners of work trucks and recreational light trucks who want more traction, or who like the appearance of extreme-traction styling. "It's also an ideal step up for vehicles needing more off-road and utility service than SUV tires offer," says Mayfield.
It will be introduced in 15- and 16-inch sizes in March.
Continental's ContiWinterContact TS 790 snow tire line is available for the first time in North America. It utilizes cross-linked sipes to gain better traction in wet and dry winter conditions.
The sipes are aligned on the asymmetrical tread pattern to maximize water dispersion, says the company. "The TS 790 line provides sufficient grip for safe progress on snow and ice, even at higher speeds," says Mayfield.
