LOUISVILLE, KY. Continental Tire the Americas, LLC debuted five new radial tires for truck and bus applications here at the Mid-America Truck Show, including a steer tire for its low-rolling-resistance EcoPlus line of long-haul tires; a “hybrid” steer/all-position tire for fleets running both regionally and long haul; and an off-road drive tire for vocational trucks.
The company said the new Conti EcoPlus HS3 offers a 10% reduction in rolling resistance as well as a 12% increase in mileage over its previous generation long-haul steer tire. Improvements include an advanced decoupler groove design and a “flap style” stone bumper system, both of which Continetal said result in advanced life and retreadability.
The Conti EcoPlus HS3 comes to market in early summer in size 295/75R22.5, load range H construction with 19/32-in tread depth and Continental’s exclusive VAI Visual Alignment Indicator system.
The new Conti Hybrid HS3 is a steer and all-position tire for the combined regional and long- haul segment. Available now in size 295/75R22.5 and load range H, Continental said this tire “bridges the performance gap for fleets that need to use the same trucks for both long-haul and regional routes without changing the tires.”
The Conti Hybrid HS3 uses an “application-specific compound for excellent fuel efficiency and mileage along with the integrated durability features of Continental’s third-generation casing design and the VAI alignment indicators, according to the tire maker.
Continental also launched the Conti TerraPlus HD3, an off-road drive tire for the high-traction needs of construction vehicles, work trucks and heavy commercial pickups. It is the first all-new product introduced in Continental’s 19.5-in tire line. It will be available later this spring in 225/70R19.5 size.
The tire maker said that a “specialized, aggressive tread pattern with open shoulder, 19/32nds tread depth and an off-road belt package are the hallmarks of this tire, designed especially for the North American market.” The Conti TerraPlus HD3 also features chip and chunk resistant compounding and a deep lug pattern for optimal traction in off-road, mud and gravel conditions.
Continental also rolled out the new Conti Urban HA3 all-position and steer tire for urban buses that features a “specialized compound for prolonged mileage performance with excellent driving characteristics.” Available now in sizes 275/70R22.5 (22/32” tread depth) and 305/70R22.5 (23/32” tread depth), the tire features an increased sidewall gauge and durable new casing construction as well as a “comfortable and quiet tread pattern. “
Lastly, Continental debuted the new Conti Coach HA3, a bus tire designed for longer distance traffic in heavier vehicles, such as motor coaches and large RVs. The tire maker said it is “optimized for outstanding wet handling, mileage, durability and fuel efficiency” It is available now in sizes 255/70R22.5 and 275/70R22.5 (15/32” tread depth) and 315/80R22.5 (17/32” tread depth).
“With the addition of these new tires,” said Alex Chmiel, Continental’s director of marketing for commercial vehicle tires– the Americas, “we are continuing to reach our promise of the lowest overall driving costs for commercial vehicle operations.
“If a fleet is searching for application-specific coverage that meets their driving needs, Continental’s new generation of truck and bus tires is providing the answers they need to optimize their tire performance,” he added.
