Conti: HTL 2 Eco-Plus Offers ‘Top Economy’

The introduction of the new HTL 2 Eco-Plus long-distance trailer tyre sees Continental complete its new tyre product range for international long-distance transport that the firm has been successively launching since 2009. By using a casing and tread pattern that is configured for long-distance transport, this trailer tyre is designed to combine further optimized furl consumption figures with “considerably extended life.” According to the company, Continental’s latest truck offering also complements the HSL 2 steer axle and HDL 2 drive axle tyres that have already been successfully launched. The latest development sees the company add the XL extra load carrying designation to its product line, enabling it to carry heavier axle weights.

To understand the savings potential of the HTL 2 Eco-Plus, Conti representatives recommend you keep the motto “the tractor unit costs money while you earn money with the trailer” in mind. The savings come from the amount of fuel operators can reportedly save by running on this reduced rolling resistance product. Engineers from Conti’s R&D team say they have managed to reduce rolling resistance by up to 15 per cent by using a special material compound and an elaborate tread design.  That means significant fuel savings of up to 5 per cent compared with conventional trailer tyres.

“As little proper motion in the tread as possible and thus ideal rolling resistance,” is how Matthias Haufe, director product development CVT EU/Russia, describes the development goal in the design of the new long-distance runner on the trailer axle. Extra wide shoulders and a broad tread between the four straight circumferential grooves compress the tread pattern as far as possible to the inside of the tyre contact surface. The very narrow grooves are sup-ported by pyramid-shaped inner elements that prevent unwanted movement in the tread. The result of this tread design is less tread flexing, a reported reduction in operating temperatures and a stiffer tyre structure.

By using a special cap-base material mix, which has been specially configured for trailer usage, the HTL 2 Eco-Plus rolls with considerably less resistance and is thus better for consumption.

At a distance of 150,000 kilometers covered each year in international long-distance transport, fuel savings amounting to four-figure euro sums are said to be possible. The purchase costs for the new trailer tyres are therefore recouped after a short period. Due to the tyre life being further extended with the help of numerous innovative design measures, the new Continental tyre for trailer axles takes on the role of cost optimizer. This has been achieved without compromising on safety, ride comfort and noise emissions.

Like the whole product range in the new second generation, the new HTL 2 Eco-Plus also features a casing structure with four-ply triangular belts, increased air volume and a newly designed steel cord bead. It is protected against gradual loss of pressure by the patented AirKeep technology. The standard HTL 2 Eco-Plus trailer tyre is available in the size 385/65R22.5. 385/55R22.5 and will also be available from 2011

Higher load index tyre released

In August Continental extended the range further with the introduction of the HSL 2 Eco-Plus XL long-distance tyre. This version, which carries the XL designation signifying its extra load-bearing capacity, has been developed with future front axle load carrying requirements in minds. In addition, it features impressive mileage and robustness while optimized rolling resistance ensures a considerable reduction in fuel consumption, according to Continental. The higher load index of the new high-performance tyre forms the basis for future truck series that will shift an increasing amount of weight to the front axles. This is down to more complex exhaust gas treatment technology, safety equipment and more comfortable cabs being used.

The strict Euro 6 emissions standard that comes into force at the beginning of 2013 demands that vehicle manufacturers build new engines with more complex exhaust gas treatment technology. Catalytic converters, exhaust gas recirculation, particulate filters and considerably larger cooling systems greatly increase the load over the front axle.

In addition to being important for upcoming truck developments, the newly developed long-distance tyre HSL 2 ECO-PLUS XL, which has 500 kilograms greater axle load-bearing capacity, is taking on an important role in special assignments where the load at the front axle is higher. This includes, for example, car transporters, tankers and silo trucks as well as vehicles carrying containers and swapbodies. These applications currently account for a fifth of all long-distance road traffic. The weight distribution of the truck-trailer places a burden on the steering axle tyres in particular.

The HSL 2 Eco Plus XL is the first tyre from the Conti’s lauded second generation to have an upgraded load index. It is available in the common sizes 315/70 R 22.5 for standard applications with a maximum axle load of 8 tonnes and 315/60 R.22.5 for volume-optimized vehicles with an axle load of 7.5 tonnes.

The upgraded HSL 2 Eco-Plus XL truck tyres come in the sizes 315/60 R22.5 with load index (LI) 154 and 7.5-tonne axle load-carrying capacity and 315/80 R22.5 with load index (LI) 156 and 8.0-tonne axle load-carrying capacity.

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