The new VanContact Ultra has been specially developed by Continental as a summer tire for delivery services and craftsmen’s vehicles. This year, Continental will manufacture 20 variations of the new delivery van tire, for rims between 15 and 17 inches in diameter and for load capacities of up to 1,450 kg (load index 121); approved for speeds up to 210 km/h. Production of the first VanContact Ultra sizes is started in March 2022.
In addition to providing the best safety, tire development focused primarily on sustainability. For example, Continental uses the latest generation of functionalized polymers in its compound, to combine high mileage, the lowest possible rolling resistance and robustness. The closed outer shoulder featured on the tread design also serves the high service life of the tire, by keeping the tire and road noise particularly low.
To prevent tires from being damaged by stones that get stuck in their tread grooves, “stone stoppers” are attached in the outer two grooves, preventing the teeth intermeshing between the rubber and stones and ensuring that any objects that penetrate are quickly ejected. The reinforced sidewalls are another means with which the new VanContact Ultra is made as robust as possible. They use blocks to protect the sensitive sides of the tire against damage from contact with the curb.
