
Continental chose Road Transport Expo as the launch venue for a range of new truck tyres. The fifth-generation hybrid product were launched for steer and drive axles, with a focus on the regional market and tuned to produce longer mileages and be more durable.
The Conti Hybrid HS5 steer tyre and HD5 drive tyre are available in all common sizes and will be released in August.
“We’ve made several key improvements,” explained Continental general manager Steve Howat. “The steer tyre has been focused in several key areas with a focus on regular wear and to counteract rib sinkage issues. It’s been in development for nearly 5 years and is a really key strategic product for us. Like any drive tyre the HD5 has block patterns and stone trapping is a real issue, so we’ve got stone ejectors in there so that when the tyre hits the road surface it opens up and releases any stones,” Howat explained.
Also unveiled at the show was Continental’s first low rolling resistance retread tyre. The trailer tyre is a product of Continental’s investment in retreating specialists Bandvulc.
“We’re releasing [retread] tyres now that provide almost the same properties as a new tyre,” Howat added.