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Continental's new tires with innovative design

Continental's new tires with innovative design

One of the main interests of tire manufacturers is to ensure low fuel consumption, especially in products bearing the Eco label.

Continental has introduced the latest generation of Eco summer tires, the EcoContact 7 and EcoContact 7 S. In addition to a new blend of raw materials, something else was also required – an innovative design.

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Since the shape of tires is predetermined and there are certain rules such as grooves and tread pattern that ensure traction, especially in rainy conditions, innovation in this area is not easy.


However, Continental took inspiration from – golf balls! These balls have surfaces with small dimples to improve aerodynamics, and it has been proven that this works.

Continental has taken this concept and applied it to tires with its Aerodimples technology, which involves hundreds of tiny cavities placed around the side and edges of the tire tread. It is claimed that this reduces air turbulence behind the tire, allowing it to rotate with less energy and reducing the vehicle's fuel or electric power consumption.

Continental also uses a new tread compound called Green Chili 3.0, specifically designed for low rolling resistance. In the EcoContact 7 S, the sporty version of this tire, the compound has been adapted for better grip, especially in wet conditions.

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The tire's internal structure includes Smart Energy Casing technology, which Continental claims reduces friction, although no specific measurements were mentioned. The tread design also helps reduce rolling resistance while also reducing road noise.

As expected, these tires are designed for electric cars, where efficiency is essential for autonomy, but they are also suitable for vehicles with internal combustion engines. These tires have been approved for first use on models from Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz and BYD, so it would not be surprising to see them installed on many vehicles in the future. /Telegraph/