Continental Tire the Americas LLC’s Commercial Vehicle Tire Division has decided to launch not just one, but two new super single truck tires.
Scheduled for November 2011 release, the new HDL2 Eco Plus (Heavy Drive Long Haul) in size 445/50R22.5 will feature 27/32nds of tread depth, a closed shoulder, and regenerating sipes in the middle of the tread blocks. A three-dimensional sipe in the center of each tread block couples the groove under compression for increased strength, but still allows more block flexibility as the block exits the footprint.
The new HDL2 Eco Plus’ groove geometry was designed to reduce stress at the groove bottom by placing the element between the two groove bottom radii. This separates the forces at each side of the groove bottom and reduces premature wear. The tire already meets the US EPA SmartWay Transport Partnership limits for low rolling resistance drive tires, although it has not been submitted for approval yet.
The second tire produced will be an additional size for the HDL2 DL (Heavy Drive Long Haul, Deep Lug) truck tire, also in 445/50R22.5 size. At 27/32nds of tread depth, the HDL2 DL super single tire’s tread design was copied from the sizes of the HDL2 DL and provides deep tread depth with the excellent traction of an open shoulder.
This tire also features a bottom groove treatment that reduces stone retention and outside groove geometry designed to distribute stress evenly throughout the groove bottom, providing superior durability. The HDL2 DL wide base also will meet the EPA SmartWay Transport Partnership limits for low rolling resistance tires in the drive position. Availability is scheduled for mid-2012.
Both new drive tires will be initially produced and shipped from the Continental truck tire plant in Puchov, Slovakia, but molds and presses are already being relocated to the recently expanded Continental truck tire plant in Mt Vernon IL for American production.
For more information, visit www.continental-truck.com.
