Continental Unveils HTR2 at CV Show

Continental has unveiled its new HTR2 “second generation” trailer tyre at the Commercial Vehicle Show in Birmingham. With 20 per cent more rubber in the tread area and new steel belt and bead designs, Continental claims the HTR2 offers the best rolling resistance in the segment and better retreadability than before. The HTR2 will be available immediately, initially in 385/65 R22.5. The launch is the first part of a two-year programme that will see the manufacturer replace 60 per cent of its truck range in the next two years.

Continental puts the increased performance offered by the HTR2 down to three new technologies incorporated in the trailer tyre’s design – the tread, the bead/belt construction, and the inner liner.

First, the new stabilizer belt, based on a triangular geometry, stiffens the structure of the HTR2 to minimize the rolling resistance and improve the durability of the carcass. The steel-reinforced bead construction better withstands raw forces acting on the trailer better and ensure secure seating of the tyre on the rim – which itself helps to maintain good rolling resistance.

The HTR2’s tread contains 20 per cent more rubber, resulting in an effective tread depth 17 millimetres. The tyre’s larger contact patch is designed to aid even wear, resulting in the high mileage performance.

The HTR2’s patented “Air-Keep” inner liner deserves particular attention at this point. According to the company, an “Air-Keep” inner liner holds tyre pressure at an optimum level for up to 50 per cent longer than standard materials. Fitting the new liner has a beneficial secondary effect too: as less air is able to escape through the tyre, less tyre oxidation occurs, making the tyre significantly less sensitive to the aging process.

Continental truck tyres have a particularly reputation for being low weight products, so with extra rubber and extra steel belting, an even more stringent focus was placed on the new tyre’s weight. The result is that the HDR2 is only 5-6 kilograms heavier than its predecessor, a negative feature company representatives say is cancelled out by the products other strengths such as increased strength, durability and improved rolling resistance performance. On this note Bernd Kore, director of product development and industrialisation, pointed out that the tyre was already lighter than the rest before the ‘second generation’ construction upgrades. Nevertheless, the HDR2 is said to remain amongst the lightest products of its kind.

Finally, at the end of its life, the enhanced construction reportedly increases the tyre’s retreadability, effectively lowering its total costs.