Peugeot, Vauxhall models rolling on Continental tyres

Continental says it has “developed a tyre with a significantly improved rolling resistance” for Peugeot, DS and Vauxhall vehicles with electric drives and combustion engines. Stellantis will factory-fit this 17-inch tyre on all electric SUVs, the Peugeot e-2008, the Vauxhall Mokka-E and the all-electric DS 3 Crossback E-Tense, as well as the combustion engine versions of these models.

The tyre is based on the Continental EcoContact 6 (215/60 R17 96H). Its energy efficiency classification exceeds the EU tyre label value A requirements by around 17 per cent, and it has also received the top EU tyre label rating of A for wet grip.

New sidewall concept

“We developed a tyre with outstanding properties for Stellantis, and it received top marks for rolling resistance and wet braking performance. We achieved these improvements through a new sidewall concept and a special rubber compound for the tread. Our experts have once again pushed the physical boundaries for greater safety and efficiency on the road,” says Dr Holger Lange, who heads tyre development within Continental’s original equipment business.

In the context of the new sidewall concept, the engineers also refined the use of various high-performance compounds during development and production. For example, an additional compound inside the sidewall helps lower rolling resistance. A second compound ensures the outer tyre sidewall remains tough enough to withstand everyday situations in road traffic and environmental influences such as curb contact and UV radiation. Continental designed the third compound to ensure the tyre’s robustness in the rim area.

Rolling resistance optimisation plays a major role in tyre development these days, especially when developing tyres for electric vehicles as this factor can increase their range by three to four per cent. Continental’s internal calculations, which it states have been confirmed by leading vehicle manufacturers, conclude that a 15 per cent reduction in rolling resistance for an internal combustion engine (all other conditions being equal) can achieve fuel savings of around 0.1 litres per 100 kilometres. This results in a reduction in CO2 emissions of approximately two grams of CO2 per kilometre.

Strong OE presence

Almost every third vehicle in Europe comes off the production line with Continental tyres. Continental reports supplying six of the world’s ten most successful manufacturers of electric vehicles with tyres ex-works.