The Continental concern, one of the leading international suppliers of automotive components and tire manufacturer, has launched production of a new premium winter studded tire, IceContact 2, at its Kaluga plant.
The new tire will hit the markets of Scandinavia, the Baltics and Russia this fall. The company claims that IceContact 2 has improved characteristics compared to the previous generation tire, which was also at the proper level in terms of its quality. Thus, the developers managed to improve handling on dry road surfaces by 9%, and on ice by 2%. The most significant increase - by 8% - was in indicators such as the transmission of braking and traction forces on ice. In addition, the IceContact 2 tire guarantees improved handling on snowy roads.
The tread compound of the new Continental tire contains numerous polymers and a large amount of silica filler. In addition, the rubber compound is characterized by a high proportion of rapeseed oil used as a softener, and vulcanization process accelerators optimize the chemical structure of the compound. Thanks to this, the rubber compound remains flexible at low temperatures, which guarantees better traction.
The IceContact 2 tire has a new asymmetric tread pattern. The outer part provides good grip for optimal handling, and the inner part provides excellent traction for proper braking and acceleration. This tire will appear on the market this year. The line will include 69 standard sizes for passenger cars and SUVs. The line is planned to be replenished with new standard sizes in 2016.
In the Scandinavian countries, a new type approval standard for studded tires has been in force for the past year and a half. It describes a test procedure involving 400 runs of a vehicle equipped with studded tires on granite slabs at a speed of 100 km/h. For this test, tires are divided into three categories based on their load index. In order to measure the degree of wear of the road surface, the slabs are weighed before and after testing. Tires are only approved if they meet certain road wear limits. The purpose of this standard is to minimize unwanted road wear by studded tires.
In collaboration with the University of Karlsruhe (KIT) and using its own drum test bench, Continental has developed a new method for determining road wear on studded tires. The results of the studies led to the conclusion that studs of smaller size and weight wear the road surface much less. Based on these results, Continental specialists developed a new ultra-light stud for the IceContact 2.
The mass of new studs is 25% less than in the previous generation tire. Thus, depending on the size, a new tire can be equipped with 50% more studs. This increase guarantees the new tire better performance on ice compared to the previous one and does not lead to more wear on the road surface. In other words, the new tire is able to provide better grip on icy roads typical for the northern region. An additional advantage of studs of reduced size and weight is the reduced noise level from friction of the tire on the road.
The offset placement of the studs ensures that they are in constant contact with intact ice, rather than with ice that has already been crushed by other studs. The result of this is improved grip. To prevent ice from sticking to the studs, Continental engineers have developed so-called ice pockets, that is, small closed cavities around the studs in which crushed ice accumulates before it is removed under the influence of centrifugal force. This increases safety, especially when braking.
Continental was the first tire manufacturer to develop a technology for securely fixing studs in the tire, reducing the likelihood of studs separating from the tread while driving. A special adhesive is applied to the small base of the studs, after which the studs are inserted into the tire using a robotic machine. The next step in the manufacturing process is to fix the studs into the tire under specific temperature and pressure conditions. This technological process increases the strength of the studs in the tire by 4 times compared to the traditional one. Each such “glued-in” stud can withstand a load of up to 500 N (50 kg) without any signs of separation from the tread.
Due to difficult economic and market conditions, the Moscow office of Continental predicts that the Russian tire market will fall until next year and will return to pre-crisis levels only by 2020. Despite the difficult economic situation, Continental's tire division maintains a stable market share in Russia, which is supported by , including an extensive dealer network of about 50 companies and about 400 sales and service centers.Yaron Widmaier, General Director of Continental Tires RUS LLC, notes: “We believe in the development of the Russian market. A reliable and wide dealer network, high quality products, as well as the advantages of local production will allow us to improve our position in the Russian market in the medium term.”
Over the course of two years, 2,500,000 tires rolled off the assembly line of the Continental tire plant in Kaluga. The range of products is also expanding: the plant already produces more than 150 tire articles from three popular brands in Russia : Continental- premium, Gislaved- middle price category, Matador- budget.
In 2015, the plant began export deliveries and work with car assembly plants. The first batches of export tires went to the Republic of Belarus and Ukraine in April 2015. They were followed by supplies of tires to Germany and France. IceContact 2 tires began to be exported to Scandinavian countries.
After the plant in Korbach, Germany, the Kaluga plant became the second enterprise of the concern that produces winter studded tires. In Kaluga, unique technologies for studding and stud vulcanization are used, which are fully integrated into the production process. This allowed the Kaluga plant Continental to launch into mass production in March 2015 the concern's latest development - the IceContact2 winter studded tire.“New conditions always dictate new opportunities. Thanks to the well-coordinated and efficient work of the plant’s team, which already numbers 950 people, we are able to quickly and effectively adapt to changes and expand the range of products that we offer to our customers both in Russia and abroad. The Continental concern pays great attention to the technical preparation of its enterprises and the introduction of the most modern technologies. Thanks to this, we have the opportunity to localize the concern’s unique technologies here, on Kaluga soil,” notes Georgy Rotov, General Director of Continental Kaluga LLC.
Continental develops smart mobility technologies for people and goods. In 2014, the concern with its five divisions Chassis & Safety, Interior, Powertrain, Reifen and ContiTech achieved a turnover of approximately 34.5 billion Euro. The group employs more than 205,000 employees in 53 countries.
Continental Conti Premium Contact 5 is a summer tire with an asymmetric tread pattern, designed for middle and executive class passenger cars.
Available in sizes from R14 to R17.
Country of origin: France, Portugal, Czech Republic, Germany, Romania.
Test of Continental ContiPremiumContact 5 from the Swedish Vi Bilägare in 2017
In 2017, specialists from the Swedish magazine Vi Bilägare tested the Continental Conti Premium Contact 5 tire in size 205/55 R16 and compared it with seven similar mid- and premium-class tires.
When braking on a wet track, the Continental showed the shortest braking distance and took first place. The difference with the worst result was 8.6 meters. 
In the wet road handling test, the tire took second place, slightly behind the Nokian Hakka Blue 2. 
In the lateral stability test on a wet track, the tire shared first place with Pirelli. 
Third place in the aquaplaning resistance test. Continental ContipremiumContact 5 loses traction in a puddle at a speed of 80.5 km/h. 
First place and the shortest braking distance on dry asphalt, slightly ahead of Pirelli. 
Test results
According to the test results, Continental ContiPremiumContact 5 took first place. The tire showed balanced performance and showed the shortest braking distance on wet and dry asphalt.
| Discipline | Place | A comment | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Braking on dry asphalt | 1 | Best result. The braking distance is 0.7 meters shorter than the closest result. | |
| Handling on dry asphalt | 3 | The time to complete the route is 0.47 seconds longer (compared to the best result) | |
| Braking on wet asphalt | 1 | Best result. The braking distance is 2.3 meters shorter compared to the closest result. | |
| Handling on wet asphalt | 2 | The time to complete the route is 0.43 seconds longer (compared to the best result) | |
| Lateral stability on wet asphalt | 1-2 | Best result. The lap time is 0.05 seconds faster than the closest result. | |
| Resistance to hydroplaning | 3 | The vehicle's ascent speed occurs at a speed that is 2.1 km/h higher than the closest result. | |
 | Economical | 7 | Fuel consumption is 0.21 l/100 km more (compared to the best result) |
Feedback from experts who conducted the test
On wet asphalt, we lagged behind only in the hydroplaning test. Otherwise, they showed the best braking distance, good controllability, stability, and no tendency for the rear axle to skid. Dry asphalt also has the shortest braking distance and predictable and stable behavior. The tire absorbs road irregularities well and provides a comfortable ride and low noise level.
Test Сontinental ContiPremiumContact 5 from the Russian “Behind the Wheel”, conducted in 2017
In the same year, an alternative test of a tire in size 195/65 R15 was carried out by experts from the Russian publication Za Rulem and compared with 11 budget, mid-range and premium tires.
In the test, the Continental also performed well, but took third place and was slightly behind tires from Nokian and Pirelli.
Currently, the choice of tires on the Russian market is simply huge. Therefore, many motorists do not know which one to give preference to. There are cheaper models, and there are also more expensive ones. However, high cost does not always mean excellent quality. Continental tires are presented in the middle price segment, so people often pay attention to them. What are the tires of this brand? They will be discussed in more detail below.
A little about the company
The Continental concern was formed in Germany, in the city of Korbach. This happened in 1871, but tire production began only in 1907. Over the history of its existence, the company has achieved enormous results, which is why its products are currently in great demand.
Branches are located in many countries around the world, including Russia, but production still continues in Germany.
More than 100 million car tires are produced annually at the main plant alone. Moreover, each of them undergoes quality control, so the risk of defective products is minimized.
The company's record was recorded in 2005, when it managed to produce millions of tires in a year, which is almost 1/4 more than before. So far, Continental ranks second in Europe in terms of the number of tires produced, as well as 4th in the world.
Production in Russia
Tires are also produced in Russia under the German brand Continental. The company is located in Kaluga.
The entire process uses the same technology as at the main plant in Germany, which is why the quality remains the same high. There are also many specialists here from the head office who monitor the quality of products.
Tires are produced here only for the Russian domestic market, and only those models that will be in demand. The company's management decided to build an enterprise here in order to reduce the finished cost of products, since previously the main part of it was customs duties.
Model range in Russia
The selection of Continental tires is simply huge. Summer options are tires:
SportContact is a model designed for passenger cars with a powerful engine. Their peculiarity is that they are able to maintain properties at high speed;
ContiSportContact – also tires for sports cars, but the performance is slightly higher than that of the previous model;
ContiPremiumContact – tires for cars from the premium segment. They are not designed for fast driving, but can provide the most comfortable driving;
ContiEcoContact - tires that emit a minimum amount of harmful impurities into the atmosphere and also help reduce fuel consumption.
IceContact - tires designed for low air temperatures and difficult conditions. They are suitable for both passenger cars and small crossovers or SUVs;
WinterContact - designed to ensure safe driving. Their braking distance is minimal, and road grip is ideal, but only if the speed limit is observed;
ContiVikingContact – help improve vehicle dynamics and are designed for driving on any surface.
How to find out the release date of tires
However, to select tires, it is not enough to know which model is needed. For this you need information about the date of manufacture, because if they were manufactured a long time ago, their properties are lost.
So, on Continental tires, age is indicated on 3 combinations of marking numbers, which begins with the inscription “DOT”. For example, if "DOT XXXX XXXX 2804" is indicated, then the tires were manufactured in week 28 of 2004.
Continental tires have been on the Russian market for a long time, and 3 years ago they began to be officially manufactured in Russia. They are worth considering for purchase, but if your financial situation does not allow it, then you can always consider budget options, but then you will no longer have such quality.
For those who are planning to purchase summer tires in Ulan-Ude, our partners offer a wide range of high-quality tires for the summer.
Continental spends a lot of effort and money on developing new technologies in tire production. The developers' task is to create new technologies that provide increased driver safety on the road. Designers' attention spans all aspects from mixture composition to tread shape. A big role is given to computer modeling of a new tire model even before the finished product is created. In our article we present new products for 2017 that are intended for cars of all classes: passenger cars, crossovers, sports and tuned cars.
Continental PremiumContact 6 - summer tires for passenger cars andSUV, review
With the PremiumContact 6, Continental has bridged the gap between very comfortable and sporty tyres. This tire includes new solutions for maximum safety, high driving comfort and excellent handling.
The new Continental PremiumContact 6, like its predecessors Continental ContiSportContact 5 and Continental ContiPremiumContact 5, offers first-class braking performance, especially on wet road surfaces. Rubber compound specialists working at Continental's Hannover headquarters have developed a compound that makes it possible to significantly improve other tire characteristics without compromising the tire's large safety margin. Among the innovations, noteworthy is a new synthetic rubber compound with the addition of amorphous silicon dioxide, which provides short braking distances for cars of all classes on wet roads. In accordance with the European labeling system, the PremiumContact 6 tire belongs to class A in terms of wet grip.
Continental's chemists and engineers also applied new developments to improve mileage, rolling resistance and comfort. The solution was to combine a wear-resistant polymer rubber compound with a flexible tread pattern. As a result, the new Continental PremiumContact 6 tire has a 15% increase in mileage compared to the previous generation tire. At the same time, the noise from friction of tires on the road surface inside and outside the car was reduced by as much as 10%.
A diagram characterizing the pressure distribution in the heel contact of the Continental PremiumContact 6 summer tire compared to the Continental SportContact 5 tire. It can be seen that the new model has a significantly reduced number of high-tension zones compared to the tires of the previous model range.
Along with high requirements for safety and comfort, the developers of this tire were faced with the task of ensuring sporty handling for all car models. To do this, they borrowed the special shape of the shoulder areas from the high-tech Continental SportContact 6 tire and combined it with an asymmetrical rib distribution in the tread pattern. This advanced macroblock tread pattern features long shoulder blocks that support each other for added traction. The resulting complex block structure of the tire's shoulder area is able to distribute even very high loads extremely efficiently, for example when cornering. The asymmetrical arrangement of the tread pattern ribs provides the same level of efficiency in the distribution of lateral forces. This gives the PremiumContact 6 a 3% improvement in handling compared to the Continental ContiSportContact 5.
In terms of consumer performance, the Continental PremiumContact 6 significantly surpasses its predecessors in terms of safety, comfort and handling, as well as in environmentally relevant mileage and rolling resistance indicators.
Continental PremiumContact 6 tires will be available in 70 sizes ranging from 17 to 21 inches in diameter for passenger cars and SUVs.
Continental SportContact 6 - summer tires for sports cars, review
These tires are significantly superior to the previous generation tires in areas such as handling, steering precision and high-speed performance. To make this superior performance, some of which has been improved by up to 14%, a reality, Continental's development engineers literally reinvented the tread compound chemistry, tread pattern and tire design.
Speed in Continental tires SportContact 6 They only limit the capabilities of the car. This summer season, the tire line has been expanded by 43 items and now has 97 items, including those with ContiSilent (quiet compound inside) and SSR (reinforced sidewall) technologies.
Continental ContiEcoContact 5 - summer tires for city cars, review
In the past, the combination of short braking distances on wet and dry surfaces with low rolling resistance was extremely problematic.
Continental ContiEcoContact 5 is a passenger tire that combines these two qualities. During the development process, changes were made to almost every element of the tire, and the result was a 20% reduction in rolling resistance and a 12% increase in mileage while reducing wet braking distances. As a result, a vehicle fitted with the new Continental ContiEcoContact 5 tires consumes approximately 3% less fuel than a similar vehicle fitted with standard tyres.
The Continental ContiEcoContact 5 tire is suitable for a wide range of models. It is available in diameters from 14 to 20 inches with an approved speed of up to 300 km/h.
Infographics of the optimal suitability of summer tires for the new Continental line. In the table, the asterisks indicate which operating mode the tires of the following models are suitable for: Continental SportContact 6, Continental PremiumContact 6 and Continental ContiEcoContact 5.
Continental's range of tires for SUVs has been fully formed with the launch of the new CrossContact ATR tire. When designing this tire, Continental's developers focused on a combination of properties that ensure safe driving on and off the road. For example, an improved rubber compound with silicon dioxide guarantees good grip even on wet surfaces, and angled sipes in the tread blocks ensure faster water drainage when driving on wet roads. As a result, even on wet and slippery surfaces, the new SUV tire provides very good grip and safe braking.
A noise barrier in the form of small bridges between the blocks in the shoulder area of the tire reduces the noise from friction between the tire and the road surface, making driving quieter. For good grip in off-road conditions, the developers have equipped the Continental CrossContact ATR tire with special “clutch teeth” between the grooves, as well as an open tread pattern with a large number of sipes. This tread pattern creates additional traction and reliable grip on loose surfaces.
To increase the traction of the Continental CrossContact ATR tire on off-road, the tread pattern is made in such a way that the grooves are located at an angle to the direction of road movement, providing increased off-road traction.
When driving on uneven, rocky surfaces, large tread blocks and a tough rubber compound provide resistance to cuts and cracking, and rocks are quickly pushed out of the grooves. As a result, the new Continental CrossContact ATR tire offers high mileage even with frequent off-road use. The sidewall and shoulder design of the new tire features elongated tread blocks extending far into the sidewall to protect against side damage. The tire also features a rib to protect the rim and tire in the event of contact with curbs or off-road obstacles.
The tread pads of the CrossContact ATR tire have internal lamellas. The sipes do not go into the main drainage grooves and thus do not reduce the rigidity of the tread, while when driving on wet paved roads, they remove the water layer, increasing the braking properties of the tread.
Specifically designed for on- and off-road use, these tires are available in 21 sizes ranging from 15 to 20 inches in diameter, 205 to 275 mm in width, with a height-to-width ratio ranging from 40 to 80%. An expansion of the line is planned for next year. The CrossContact ATR tire is certified for speeds up to 240 km/h and is suitable for a wide range of SUVs and SUVs.
On the surface of the sidewall of the Continental CrossContact ATR tire there are lug blocks that increase the off-road properties of the rubber.
With an on-road/off-road driving ratio of 70/30, the new Continental CrossContact ATR sits between the classic off-road tire Continental ContiCrossContact AT (50/50) and tires for primarily on-road use such as the Continental ContiCrossContact LX 2 (80/20) and Continental PremiumContact 6 (100/0). It thus successfully completes Continental's extensive range of SUV and SUV tires.
Infogram of consumer properties of new tires for crossovers and light SUVs Continental CrossContact ATR in comparison with other Continental off-road models.
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“With the new PremiumContact 6 we have bridged the gap between tires for sedans with high driving comfort and tires for sports cars. In this way, we combine the extensive experience gained from 145 years of tire development with the knowledge of our Automotive Group specialists in the field of driver assistance systems. “All this is done to meet the highest expectations of our customers,” - this is how Continental product line manager Katarina Silva presented the next new product of the concern
But how many times have I written about the fact that the ideal tire does not exist! No, I still remain in my opinion, but I have the impression that very little is left until the moment when this very opinion will not be so unshakable. Today, the leading tire companies have already reached a certain limit for a number of characteristics, and are now tightening up those positions in the perfection of which they are not entirely sure. Example? Please: the grip properties of the ContiSportContact 5 model were already at a high level, but a new generation of the ContiSportContact 6 tire has entered the market with even more excellent characteristics, especially on wet surfaces. Just like in Vladimir Vysotsky’s song: “Oh, the slope on the bend is concrete at the cheeks. It couldn’t be more beautiful, and he still...” But Continental specialists decided that everything was fine with the clutch and decided to focus on other characteristics. And at the same time, carry out a reorganization within the model line: the ContiPremiumContact 5 and ContiSportContact 5 were replaced this year by the PremiumContact 6 model. Ride comfort, precise steering responses, maximum safety and the environmental component - all these qualities are, of course, taken into account when developing all tires, but Continental engineers have tried to incorporate these characteristics into one product.
Comparison of tire performance between ContiSportContact 5 and PremiumContact 6
Often, when talking about a tire compound, we limit ourselves to the short term “innovative rubber compound,” but in order to achieve that very “innovation,” Continental developers had to conjure up the ingredients for a long time, “cook” dozens of test tires and roll them on testing grounds. As a rule, Continental PR managers do not just present a new product, but organize a real technical seminar, at which the concern’s engineers talk in detail about how, for example, each of the elements used in the rubber compound affects the physical properties of the tire.
How did you achieve such a high level of grip? Everything is very simple: just work with the hysteresis frequencies of the tread rubber, optimally select their values, and the tire will have ideal contact with the road. Did not work out? Let's work some magic on a new rubber compound recipe. That's pretty much what happened with the PremiumContact6, but with one caveat: Continental's rubber compound specialists had to improve a number of tire characteristics (for example, the level of dynamic comfort and rolling resistance), without losing what its predecessors succeeded in - ContiSportContact 5 and ContiPremiumContact 5. The result of the development was a new synthetic compound, but it was important to ensure a combination of a wear-resistant polymer compound with the elasticity of the tread layer. According to data received from Continental developers, compared to its predecessor, ContiSportContact 5, the new product has 15% better wear resistance, and the noise level it produces has decreased by 10%. At the same time, on the EU label in the column “adhesion on wet surfaces” the highest index “A” is indicated.
Contact patches for PremiumContact 6 (left) and ContiSportContact 5
Of course, not everything described above exhausts the key characteristics of a High Performance tire. And therefore, it is no coincidence that the presentation of PremiumContact 6 took place on a race track: according to the developers, the PremiumContact 6 tire, among other things, should have sporty handling, and on all those car models for which it is intended. To achieve this, Continental engineers used a symbiosis of the shoulder design used in the ContiSportContact 6 model with the asymmetrical geometry of the tread ribs. At the same time, the shoulder blocks, rigidly connected to each other, provide not only precise control, but also additional traction: their complex structure is able to confidently resist deformation of the tread elements when cornering. The ribs of the central part of the asymmetric tread work in the same way, preventing the tire from sliding in the transverse direction. As a result of these decisions, the handling of the PremiumContact 6 has increased by 3% compared to the dynamic driving-oriented ContiSportContact 5. What cars is the new product from Continental designed for? Judge by size: the range of sizes starts at 16 inches and ends at 21 inches.
Effect of asymmetric tread pattern on handling. A - maximum angle, B - average angle, C - minimum angle, D - maximum load, E - average load, F - minimum load
Influence on controllability of the new design of macroblocks in the outer shoulder area. A - massive blocks of the shoulder part of the tire, B - developed drainage system, C - individual blocks are interconnected
Charged cars with PremiumContact 6 tires at the Monteblanco Circuito
The Crocus Expo exhibition center in Moscow hosted the ceremony of presenting the first independent professional Award in the field of achievements of companies producing automotive components and spare parts for the Russian car market. The event became one of the most significant and large-scale events in the Russian automotive industry; it was organized by the Government of the Moscow Region, the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation, as well as the NP “Association of Automobile Manufacturers of Russia”. In total, the award included about twenty nominations, in which over 300 leading Russian and foreign manufacturers took part.
In nomination " Car lamps of the year» the company’s innovative main lighting lamps based on energy-efficient LED technologies were recognized as the undisputed leader OSRAM. According to the expert jury, these lamps meet all the requirements and quality standards of the modern automotive market. The decision of the Prize expert commission to award the OSRAM award was made based on the results of surveys conducted among motorists, automotive market experts, retail and wholesale companies in automotive equipment, as well as on the basis of the results of online voting of the specialized automotive Internet portal CarExpo.ru
“Every year, OSRAM is developing rapidly and significantly expanding its presence in the global and Russian markets of energy-saving and, in particular, automotive products. The highest ratings awarded to our car lamps by the Expert Commission of the Award once again confirm the correctness of our chosen strategy to invest in the development of innovative lighting solutions based on LEDs and the development of their production,” says Dmitry Kaverin, head of the special lighting department at OSRAM, Russia.
