Continental Tire the Americas LLC (CTA) introduced two tires, including an energy-efficient passenger tire, the Continental ProContact with Eco Plus Technology, during its 2010 Gold Dealer program group meeting, held earlier today, April 13, in Nassau, the Bahamas.
The ProContact with Eco Plus "is a low rolling resistance, high energy efficiency product," Joe Maher, CTA product planning representative, told dealers. It will be available on May 15 in 22 sizes, ranging from 15 inches to 18 inches in diameter.
"Fuel efficiency can easily be gained by compromising wet grip and lowering mileage expectations," but the ProContact with Eco Plus achieves a minimization of those trade-offs, he said. "We have not compromised wet grip or mileage."
The tire contains two key technologies, he explained: Tg-F Polymers, which are temperature-activated polymers that boost bonding within the tire's compounding for increased fuel efficiency and improved tread life, and + Silane additives, which enhance grip on slippery surfaces.
The tire targets model year 2003 and higher premium vehicles like the Lexus RX330, the Toyota Prius, the Honda Civic, the Nissan Altima, and others, according to CTA officials. It will replace non-OE sizes of the Continental ContiProContact Touring tire.
CTA also introduced a street version of the General Grabber light truck tire during the meeting. "It looks very similar to the race version of the tire," said Maher. "What you see in the product is what we have learned through years of off-road racing."
The tire contains CTA's proprietary DuraGen Technology, which incorporates three-ply construction, "ultra-high strength" steel belts and other components. It also boasts Continental's "Strake and Chamfer" tread pattern, which includes forward biting edges and sweeping grooves. Raised red lettering on its sidewall is another feature. The tire will be available in August 2010. It's in production currently, Maher noted.
