Hyundai Motor Group has approved three Continental tyre models for its Tucson SUV. The Tucson SUV will roll off assembly lines equipped with either the energy-efficient EcoContact 6 or the comfort-oriented PremiumContact 6. For the Asia-Pacific region, Hyundai has also approved the CrossContact LX Sport, which is designed for light off-road driving.
Continental introduced its EcoContact 6 in autumn 2018, expanding the line-up approximately three years later with, the EcoContact 6 Q variant. Featuring an optimised tread design, this new addition aimed to reduce noise emissions while maintaining high-performance standards. The launch of the EcoContact 7 is imminent, Continental will offer this range in two versions from the outset. Both share the same tread design.
Export models of the new BYD Seal are leaving the factory on Continental EcoContact 6 Q tyres. BYD has approved the Continental tyre in 235/45 R19 99V XL as original equipment for numerous markets, including the UK and Ireland.
Continental returns to the Tour de France this year as a main sponsor, and in addition to supplying six of the participating teams with bicycle tyres, the brand is also equipping support vehicles with PremiumContact 6 and EcoContact 6 tyres. All tyres fitted to support vehicles feature ContiRe.Tex technology.
The new Mercedes-Benz GLC is available with Continental tyres as standard. Depending on model, Mercedes-Benz will equip all available drive types – petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid – with EcoContact 6 Q in 18” to 20” sizes.
Continental has received original equipment approvals for the new BMW X1 compact SUV and is supplying EcoContact 6 Q tyres in 18- to 20-inch sizes. Owners looking for a dedicated winter fitment can also obtain the WinterContact TS 860 S from BMW dealerships.
Continental has announced a voluntary replacement programme for a total of 7,103 tyres worldwide. According to a statement detailing the news published on 7 December 2022, the exchange programme is being offered in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Spain, France and Italy. In the German market, for example, a total of 745 tyres that were sold through the tyre replacement business or are still in the stocks of tyre dealers are eligible for exchange. A Continental Tyre Group spokesperson confirmed that the UK market is not affected by the voluntary exchange programme.
Smart Automobile has unveiled the #1, a full-electric five-seater with a range of up to 273 miles. Official launch photos suggest that smart will offer all four models in the #1 range – the Launch Edition, Pro+, Premium and Brabus – with Continental tyres as a standard fitment. Images issued by the media team at smart Europe GmbH depict various versions of #1 equipped with Continental EcoContact 6 Q tyres in 235/45 R19 V XL.
When Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles began manufacturing the ID. Buzz at its Hannover plant in Germany last month, it described the production start as a “milestone in the brand’s electrification.” VW intends to build up to 130,000 units a year, and Continental has already ‘outed’ itself as original equipment tyre supplier. But despite the German manufacturer’s long history of equipping VW campervans, the EcoContact 6 Q is presumably not the only tyre being supplied to VW production lines for the ID. Buzz.
The Volkswagen campervan is going electric, and just like its split-screen ancestor the T1 and many models in between, the new ID. Buzz will roll off the production line on Continental tyres. Depending on model and market, VW will fit Continental EcoContact 6 Q tyres in sizes 235/55 R19 105T XL, 255/50 R19 107T XL, 235/50 R20 104T XL or 265/45 R20 108T XL.
By the end of 2022, drivers in the UK will be able to equip their vehicles with Continental summer or all-season tyres made using polyester from recycled PET bottles. Continental calls this sustainable material ContiRe.Tex and began incorporating it into some tyre lines in April. The initial range coming to the UK consists of 15 dimensions in total, with five sizes of PremiumContact 6, EcoContact 6 and AllSeasonContact available.
Kia has selected Continental tyres as original equipment for its new Niro. In European, Middle East and African markets, it will deliver the fully-electric version of its SUV with Continental EcoContact 6 Q tyres in size 215/55 R17 94V. Plug-in hybrid models of the Niro will roll on the PremiumContact 6, which Kia will fit in size 225/45 R18 95V XL FR.
Another original equipment approval for Continental, this time in China. Electric vehicle manufacturer Nio is equipping its new ET7 saloon for the Chinese market with 19- and 20-inch Continental EcoContact 6 tyres. Continental is exclusive supplier for 19-inch rim fitments.
Selected sizes within the Continental PremiumContact 6, EcoContact 6 and AllSeasonContact tyre ranges will now contain recycled polyester yarn obtained from plastic PET bottles. The recycled yarn completely replaces conventional polyester within the tyre casing, with around 40 PET bottles needed for a typical set of passenger car tyres.
Continental tyres will provide the point of contact between road and car for BMW 4 Series models around the world thanks to the car maker’s approval of summer and winter products for global markets. It will fit the Continental EcoContact 6 in 17- and 18-inch sizes and has homologated the WinterContact TS 860 S for colder conditions. All tyres bear the XL increased load capacity marking.
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