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Audi successful at Michelin Challenge Bibendum

admin — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 20:55:15 +0000

Audi has made a successful start to the Michelin Challenge Bibendum 2010. Right at the start of this forum for sustainable mobility in Rio de Janeiro, the brand with the four rings recorded two victories. Audi is very proud of these two main prizes – overall victory in the rally with the lightweight A5, and the design award for the Audi e-tron electric sports car. The standard version of the A3 1.6 TDI, the brand’s third model in the Challenge Bibendum, also put in an outstanding performance. Audi interprets these successes as confirmation of its strategy for the future shape of mobility.

Audi gained a Design-Award für the e-tron at the Michelin Challenge Bibendum in Rio de Janeiro (Image: Audi)

Audi’s lightweight A5 clinched overall victory in the eco rally over a distance of 350 kilometers (217 miles). The race involving a field of around 80 participating vehicles is the showcase competition of the Michelin Challenge Bibendum; it formed the first highlight of the five-day forum. The prototype was also in the leading group in the individual categories CO2 emissions, overall emissions, efficiency, acceleration and handling. Thanks to its mainly aluminum body, the lightweight A5 weighs just 1,310 kilograms (2,888 lb). Its 2.0 TFSI engine developing 132 kW (180 hp) is also designed to run on bioethanol, which is very popular in South America.

The Audi e-tron, the second vehicle entered in the competition by Audi, won the design award. The electrically powered high-performance sports car, which immediately became the star of the Michelin Challenge Bibendum, proved its efficiency and took one of the top places in each of the categories CO2 emissions and overall emissions. With 230 kW (313 hp) from its four electric motors, the e-tron is an ultra-dynamic Audi. Its lithium-ion battery makes 42.4 kWh of usable energy available – enough for an operating range of about 248 km (154 miles).

Finally, the standard Audi A3 1.6 TDI developing 77 kW (105 hp), the brand’s third candidate, was also very successful. It was consistently among the best entrants in the four criteria CO2 emissions, overall emissions, noise and handling.

The Michelin Challenge Bibendum was first held in 1998, since when it has become established as one of the world’s most important forums in the domain of sustainable mobility. Audi already emerged as overall winner on one previous occasion, in 2007, when the competition was held in Shanghai.

This year the Challenge is visiting South America for the first time and will run from May 30 to June 3. Some 5,000 participants from 80 countries have traveled to Rio de Janeiro. The central focus of the event is formed by the test drives involving around 150 eco models. These are accompanied by round table meetings, themed discussions and a major exhibition.

Continental launches new super sports tire ContiSportContact 5 P

admin — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 20:43:32 +0000

Continental is opening up a new chapter in super sports tires with its new ContiSportContact 5 P- and the company is keen to highlight the approvals already gained from sports car manufacturers and top class customisers. Moreover the new summer tire from Northern Germany is designed in such a way that it neatly fits into a new niche created by the vehicle manufacturers. This niche in the tire market came about through the need for appropriate fitments for the Audi TT RS, Mercedes AMG C 63 and other top class sports cars. In the past these cars were often equipped with tires from existing series, which were adapted to meet the manufacturers’ high requirements. However, with its new super sports tire Continental now has a fresh product which is not only designed specifically for the Original Equipment sector, but which also meets the highest demands of the replacement market.

Front and rear axle – the benefits of having different tread patterns

For vehicles with powerful engines and rear wheel drive, having different tire sizes on the axles provides substantial benefits in terms of accelerating, braking and handling. If the tires on the drive and steered axle have been specifically developed to efficiently transmit the forces occurring, this can further enhance the vehicles’ dynamic driving benefits.

ContiSportContact 5 P mounted on Audi TT RS (Image: Continental)

The ContiSportContact 5 P was therefore developed to ensure optimum transmission of the acceleration forces from the rear axle of these high performance cars. This involved designing the tread pattern in such a way that the large ground contact patch ensured maximum transmission of forces. Two rugged central ribs in the asymmetrical tread pattern mean the rear axle tires deliver optimum grip. These tires also ensure that no propulsion power is lost, even during harsh acceleration. At the same time the block structure on the tire outer shoulder means good transmission of lateral forces. This particularly benefits direct handling, as steering commands are implemented quickly and effectively.

To reinforce this effect, the tire developers dispensed with one of the two central ribs on the front axle tire to make the block structures for handling even wider. To achieve braking action which is as short and appropriate as possible and to prevent the tread blocks in the tire centre from caving in, these are interlinked and supported by short ridges.

The designs of the front and rear axle tires have been perfectly matched to suit each other and their position on the respective axle, thereby ensuring sporty dynamic performance as they have the flexibility to adapt to different road conditions.

A short history – the ContiSportContact tire family

In terms of its name, the new sports tire follows in the tradition and nomenclature of the ContiSportContact family, which has been a success story for over sixteen years. These tires grow with the demands placed on them – the CV 90, the first official SportContact, fell into the 13″ to 16″ tire category common in the 1990s. Its successors, which from 1994 onwards carried the name ContiSportContact, then had to meet the demand for tires up to 20″ in size. The ContiSportContact 2, which was launched in 2001, attained the impressive size of 22″. Its successor, the ContiSportContact Vmax, was optimised for high speeds and in 2004 was timed by the tire developers in Nardò, Italy, at over 360 km/h (225 mph), a speed it surpassed in 2007 when it reached 409 km/h (255 mph) on a Porsche 9ff.

In 2006 Continental introduced the next high-tech sports tire – the ContiSportContact 3. When this tire was launched, its maximum size was also 22″. The ContiSportContact 5 P constitutes a new product line in the UHP segment – with maximum grip for fast acceleration and braking, perfect handling for driving right up to the limit, and fun at the wheel coupled with safety.

Continental is also confident about the expected sales figures for the new ContiSportContact 5 P. In recent years customers in Europe have shown a decided preference for tires approved for speeds from 240 km/h (150 mph) upwards. Between 2005 and 2009 the market share for these tires increased from 12% to 16%. In those European countries with a larger fleet of powerful vehicles – Germany and the UK, for example – their market share is currently 23% and 24% respectively.

This recent rise in the number of ‘fast’ tires is due to the higher performance which new cars are increasingly capable of. Nowadays even medium range cars require tires with Speed Index Z (approved for over 240 km/h – 150 mph), W (approved for up to 270 km/h – 168 mph) or Y (approved for up to 300 km/h – 187 mph). At the same time the demands made by vehicle manufacturers before Original Equipment approvals are granted continue to rise – particularly in the case of fast sports cars, where handling is of the utmost importance. For tire producers it therefore makes good sense to offer car manufacturers, leading customisers and sporty drivers tires which have been developed specifically to meet these requirements, as these products can more easily be adapted to suit individual vehicles.

The ContiSportContact 5 P had therefore already been given the green light long before its official debut, with initial approvals being granted by Mercedes-Benz AMG for the C 63, E 63 and SLS, as well as by Audi for the TT RS and Renault for the Mégane III Sport. Continental’s technology partners in the high-end customising sector are also visibly impressed by the new sports tire from Hanover – Abt, AC Schnitzer, Techart and Lorinser have all praised the good handling, grip and braking characteristics of the ContiSportContact 5 P. From this spring, consumers will be able to order the new super sports tire from their tire dealer. The new ContiSportContact 5 P will be available from the tire trade in the existing sizes at the same price as the previous models.

Continental’s large 4×4 tire range fits every need for European SUV’s

admin — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 20:31:39 +0000

The Continental tire portfolio for SUVs is one of the widest available. It offers a choice of six summer tire models for all-wheel-drive vehicles, ensuring that the right tire is available for the respective vehicle and its application. Original Equipment approvals have been granted by leading manufacturers of all-wheel-drive vehicles such as Audi, BMW, Land Rover, Mercedes, Porsche and Volkswagen. This year Continental has 38 new products in its range for 4×4s, SUVs and crossovers. The tires cover 15″ to 25″ rim diameters and 85% to 25% aspect ratios, with speed approvals up to 300 km/h (187 mph). Higher speeds are also possible under controlled test conditions.

The ContiCrossContact UHP

The ContiCrossContact UHP is a dedicated tire for extremely powerful SUVs of a sporty design. Its features, which include extremely short braking distances, safe characteristics in the wet and precise handling, were tailored specifically to suit the requirements of 4×4 vehicles like the Porsche Cayenne and BMW X5. The ContiCrossContact UHP is also available in 23″ to 25″ versions to meet specific tire refitment requirements. It thus covers a large proportion of the demand from the refitment and customising sector for V-, W-, Y- and Z-rated tires (from 210 km/h to 300 km/h – 131 mph to 187 mph). During the high-speed trials at the race circuit in Nardò, Italy, this tire managed to reach a speed of 330 km/h (206 mph) under controlled test conditions.

The Conti4×4Contact and Conti4×4SportContact

The Conti4×4Contact offers excellent traction on the road and in light off-road conditions, guaranteeing short braking distances, fast steering response and high directional stability. The offset rows of tread lugs generate only minimal rolling noise, whilst the wide longitudinal and lateral tread grooves substantially reduce the risk of aquaplaning. The Conti4×4Contact is particularly well-suited for use on compact and medium-heavy SUVs and crossovers, and has already obtained approvals from a wide-ranging list of vehicle manufacturers.

For faster and more powerful all-wheel-drive vehicles Continental recommends the Conti4×4SportContact. The tire’s asymmetrical tread pattern, featuring a compact outer shoulder section, ensures exceptionally high cornering stability, whilst the wide tread grooves disperse water quickly when driving on rain-soaked roads. The offset rows of tread lugs mean low rolling noise. The Conti4×4SportContact is fitted as Original Equipment to SUVs from European manufacturers.

The ContiCrossContact AT

The ContiCrossContact AT was developed for motorists intending to use their all-wheel-drive vehicles off the road, but also wanting to drive safely on asphalt. The open shoulder design of the new ContiCrossContact AT gives this tire good driving characteristics in difficult terrain, enabling it to interlock with loose ground, as well as ensuring safe cornering characteristics on rough tracks. The rugged tread compound avoids damage and notching during off-road driving, whilst allowing a good mileage performance to be achieved. The ContiCrossContact AT is available in most sizes with white sidewall lettering. Approvals go up to 210 km/h (131 mph) and the tire comes in 14″-18″ rim sizes.

Continental's range of SUV Tires fulfills every need for european SUVs (Image Continental)

The ContiCrossContact LX

The open outer shoulder of the asymmetrical ContiCrossContact LX means this tire also provides good driving and braking characteristics in light off-road conditions. This is moreover optically underlined by its tread pattern design, which bears similarities to tires for tougher off-road applications. On asphalt the ContiCrossContact LX provides a precise steering response, as well as very good straight-line stability. Three circumferential ribs with offset rows of tread lugs and pronounced sipes ensure good driving stability and at the same time low tire/road noise.

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Audi successful at Michelin Challenge Bibendum

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