Continental launches high mileage VanContact Ultra

New specialist summer tyre for delivery services and tradespeople states sustainable credentials with low rolling resistance, higher durability

Continental VanContact Ultra (Photo: Continental)

Continental has launched its new specialist summer van tyre developed to meet the needs of delivery services and tradespeople. The VanContact Ultra, which entered production in March 2022, has been developed for economical and heard-wearing urban driving, responding to the sustained growth in home deliveries. The summer tyre follows the December 2021 introduction of Conti’s latest all-season van tyre.

Trips by vans in urban environments continue to increase. Conti cites expert analysis expecting annual growth of seven per cent in door-to-door deliveries, a common application for the segment, by 2025. The VanContact Ultra has B-grade rolling resistance, the top A-grade for wet braking, and a B for rolling noise on the EU tyre label. The tyre will be available for rims between 15 and 17 inches and for load capacities of up to 1,450 kg (load index 121).

Conti says the VanContact Ultra has been designed to offer economical driving, even in urban environments. It offers low rolling resistance and very high mileage through the use of the latest generation of functionalised polymers in the tread compound, the manufacturer says. The tyre has reinforced sidewalls to improve its robustness and elongating service life. The sidewalls of van tyres for urban applications need extra protection against damage from contact with kerbs, often unavoidable on urban delivery routes.

Conti has included “stone stoppers” in the outer two grooves of the tyre. Stones and debris from urban roads can prevent the tyre’s tread from functioning properly. The stone stoppers ensure any objects that penetrate the tread are quickly ejected.

The closed outer shoulder of the tread design keeps tyre and road noise particularly low, enhancing comfort in the cabin.

Conti will manufacture 18 different variations of the VanContact Ultra this year, approved for speeds up to 130mph.