Continental has developed a tire with a significantly improved rolling resistance for Peugeot, DS and Opel vehicles with electric drive and combustion engine. All electric SUVs Peugeot e-2008, the Opel MOKKA-E and the all-electric DS 3 Crossback E-TENSE, as well as all combustion engine versions of these models will be factory-equipped with the 17-inch tire. The tire is based on a Continental EcoContact 6 (215/60 R17 96H). Its energy efficiency classification exceeds the EU tire label value A requirements by around 17 percent, which means it has a particularly low rolling resistance. It has also received the top EU tire label rating A for wet grip. This development achievement by Continental’s tire engineers and materials experts is all the more remarkable since the reduction of rolling resistance and exceptionally high braking performance are conflicting physical targets. While driving, energy loss should be kept as low as possible to minimize rolling resistance. However, the opposite is true for braking: To keep braking distance to a minimum, tires need to dissipate as much energy as possible. The improvements were achieved thanks to a new sidewall structure and a special rubber compound for the tread.
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