Continental has developed a successor to the proven WinterContact TS 860 and TS 850 P with the new WinterContact TS 870 and TS 870 P tyres.

Newly designed from the ground up, the new tyres offer excellent wet-weather properties while reducing rolling resistance by two percent and improving mileage by ten percent. The newly developed tread compound called, Cool Chili, with its blend of special resins, ensures better grip and shorter braking distances in the wet. The new compound also offers increased flexibility, improving the contact patch between the road and the tyre.

WinterContact TS 870

The new construction, compound and tread pattern of the TS 870 promise three percent shorter braking distances on ice and five percent better handling on snow as compared to the previous generation. The newly developed 3D interlocking sipes set at the best angle ensure improved grip on snow as the large snow pockets in the tread provides better adhesion between the compacted snow in the tyre and the snow on the road.

Further reduction in braking distance on slippery winter roads is achieved by increasing the number of tread blocks in the contact patch of the TS 870 by 10 percent. The V-shaped tread pattern with a wavy centre groove offers the tyre a distinct look, while the Hydro Grooves and the centre groove allow faster water displacement when driving in the rain.

The WinterContact TS 870 is available for models like the VW up!, VW Golf, Citroen C4, BMW 1 Series and 3 Series. Initially, the new tyre will be available in 19 sizes for 14 to 17-inch rims with aspect ratios from 45 to 65 and in widths from 175 to 225 millimetres.

WinterContact TS 870 P

Suitable for midsize cars and SUVs, the TS 870 P has been designed with drivers who fit wider tyres in mind. To help the large tyre displace water faster, Continental has moved away from the conventional V-shaped tread and instead features a stiffer construction with four large circumferential grooves running between the rows of tread blocks. This innovation results in better handling, shorter braking distances, and adequate protection against aquaplaning.

In comparison to its predecessor, the TS 870 P offers four percent improvement in wet braking and an eight percent improvement in aquaplaning while improving braking performance on ice by five percent and handling performance in dry and snow by six percent.

The WinterContact TS 870 P will be available for rim sizes 16 to 21-inch with aspect ratios from 35 to 65 and in widths from 205 to 255 millimetres for more than 52 passenger cars and SUVs. (TT)

The N Vision intelligent tyre from Maxxis has strengthened its resolve for innovation and sustainability by winning the gold A’ (A-Prime) Design award. The tyre was recognised in the Vehicle Parts, Auto Accessories and Care Products design category.

N Vision, which was created for the autonomous vehicles that are expected to be commercially available in 2030, makes use of information from several sensors to forecast tyre condition, vehicle load, speed and road conditions. By modifying the spokes' stretch and bending in response to such circumstances, it gives the tread area the best possible pre-compression or pre-tension. In the end, this lowers the cost of travel per mile. In order to maximise sustainability, N Vision was built using recycled materials made from fishing nets, tyres and PET bottles, as well as bio-based components made from rice husks and sunflower seeds. Tyre scrapping is decreased by its environmentally friendly design and materials, which also give customers an inexpensive, renewable travel choice.

A jury composed of 316 top designers, scholars and prominent members of the press selected the winners of the international A' Design Award competition, which recognises excellence in design in a wide range of fields, including transportation, hospitality, furniture, beauty and much more.

The Victra Sport 6 and HP6 tyres from Maxxis have won the Red Dot Product Design Award for 2025 in the Vehicle Accessories category.

The Maxxis Premitra HP6 features improved rolling resistance, effective braking, a smooth ride, improved mileage for longer travel and accurate handling in wet situations. Designed for sport and luxury automobiles, the Maxxis Victra Sport 6 is an ultra-high-performance tyre that works well with electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. It offers outstanding handling and performs quite well at sporty, faster driving. Both the tyres are available in Europe.

Red Dot Award winners are selected by a panel of 40 worldwide professionals who test, analyse and assess each entry in one of the biggest design contests in the world. The categories for awards include Design Concept, Brand Communication and Product Design. Winners will receive the Red Dot trophies during a banquet in Essen, Germany, on 8 July.

Continental's SportContact 7 tyre has emerged the test winner in this year's Auto Bild sportscar summer tyre test (issue 6/25) with an overall grade of 1.2 (exemplary).

Seven tyre models in the sizes VA 245/35 R 20 and HA 295/30 R 20 from European, Asian and American manufacturers were tested by the editors. The Lotus Emira served as the test car. The SportContact 7 scored top marks in wet handling, cornering, braking and aquaplaning. It had a 43.7-metre braking distance from 100 kmph on wet asphalt, which put it four metres ahead of the second-place tyre and eleven meters ahead of the last-place tyre. It clinched an intermediate score of 1- for the wet tests, which puts it far ahead of its rivals in the test field. After 31.2 metres at 100 kmph in the dry testing, the tyre came to a complete stop. Overall, the tyre received an intermediate 1- throughout the five dry categories.

The SportContact 7 is specifically made for high-performance sports cars that may be powered by electricity or conventional power. Several automakers have authorised it, and it comes in sizes ranging from 18 to 24 inches. Continental concentrated on achieving excellence in every performance criterion throughout development in order to maximise driving enjoyment and safety.

Andreas Schlenke, tyre expert at Continental, said, "The SportContact 7 took first place in the AUTO BILD sportscar test in both wet and dry conditions. This once again proves its leading position in the sports and UHP tyre segment.”

The final verdict from the tyre testers read: "Conti's sport tyre sets the standard for braking on dry and wet roads and offers a big plus in driving safety. Stable, well-balanced handling on dry roads.”

The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) has welcomed the bipartisan passage of H.J.Res. 61, a resolution that improves environmental stewardship and lessens financial constraints on tyre manufacturing plants.

The resolution, co-sponsored by more than 20 representatives from 14 states and introduced by Representative Morgan Griffith (R-Va.), repeals the EPA's 29 November 2024 updated rule on Rubber Tire Manufacturing National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP). With nine co-sponsors, Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) spearheaded the campaign in the Senate with S.J.Res. 24. Before the House vote, USTMA sent in a letter of support for the measure. 

According to the EPA's own evaluation in 2020, the current guideline offers a sufficient margin of safety to safeguard human health and avert a negative environmental impact. On 29 November 2024, however, the EPA released an updated final NESHAP rule that added emission restrictions for total hydrocarbons (THC) and filterable particulate matter to the current NESHAP regulation, in defiance of the agency's own judgment. Because of this, tyre factories must build and run a large number of control devices called regenerative thermal oxidisers, which require a large amount of natural gas to burn impurities. In an effort to lower insignificant HAPs, these new control devices raise carbon emissions while placing a heavy financial burden on tyre manufacturing facilities with no clear emissions reduction target.  

The EPA's objective to protect America's clean air is shared by USTMA member companies. In order to reduce the negative impacts on the American tyre manufacturing business, the environment and the American economy, the USTMA supports Congressional action to overturn this final rule, even as it continues to collaborate with the EPA, the association stated.

Anne Forristall Luke, President and CEO, USTMA, said, “Tyre manufacturers have long understood and complied with the existing NESHAP standards to reduce hazardous air pollutant (HAPs) emissions from tyre manufacturing. However, the agency’s revised final NESHAP rule creates an adverse environmental impact, while imposing significant financial burdens on tyre manufacturing facilities and providing negligible, if any, benefits. The industry appreciates the Congressional leadership and bipartisan efforts in getting this resolution passed.”