6.2.2019. Continental has made a new spike technology, the so-called ContiFlexStuds, a significant step forward in driving safety and efficiency bespikter winter tires.
The new Spikes will be produced exclusively for the new winter tires model IceContact 3 in sizes from 17 inches in diameter. Tires of these sizes can normally be found on larger, heavier vehicles have an increased need for additional Grip in Nordic Winter.
Over its entire duration of use, the new technology offers more comfort and reduces abrasion of roads. “Conventional Spikes were never able to completely penetrate the icy road surface, since they were inhibited by their tough aluminium body,” explains Marco Gellings, head of winter tire development at Continental. “Our rubber-coated ContiFlexStuds allow for a deeper Penetration of the hard metal Pins into the ice. Thus, such a Spike will deliver around seven per cent more Grip on ice, a significant gain in driving safety“.
In addition, the Spikes are vulcanized during production, in the Mature, their loss is nearly impossible. So stocked for the winter tyres can be significantly longer driven than in the past. The flexible Spikes therefore provide a more comfortable tire / pavement noise than conventional, aluminium-sheathed Spikes.
So the road surface benefits from the new ContiFlexStuds: they can adapt better to the rough pavement to ensure a 20 per cent reduction in Road wear particles than the conventional Spikes. Since rubber is a substantially abrasion-resistant Material is in contact with the road than aluminum, is also reduced the wear of the Spikes and, thus, its durability is improved once again. This is so the ride comfort benefits: made Of rubber existing spike body meets flexibly on the Asphalt and make the road noise much more harmonious and quieter.
Continental IceContact 3 (Photo: Continental)
