ContiSilent: A new era of passenger tyres?

ContiSilent: With customers choices growing and an increase in the number of mid range and economy/budget tyre brands available, continental has followed the likes of Pirelli in it's attempts to consolidate the coveted premium brand position it holds and the price that comes with it. And with Continental looking forward to a bumper year in the U.K market, with steady growth, particularly in the 4x4 sector, the tyre manufacturing giant will certainly be keen to cement it's position as a pioneer within the industry. August 2013 saw continental release a new product to help maintain this position and perhaps in response to pressures from manufacturers how are increasingly choosing larger standard fitment rims adding to the problem of noise pollution. In a move that echo's that of Pirelli's only a couple of weeks previous to the Continental announcement, the German manufacturer has unveiled a new range a noise reducing tyres, that will significantly reduce the noise emissions in the cabin without altering performance. The ContiSilent noise-reducing technology will utilise an inner tyre absorber that will consist of polyurethane foam attached to the inside of the tyre with an adhesive after manufacturing. Because the ContiSilent if fitted after manufacturing and to the inside of the tyre there is no negative effects on performance, including during braking or in the wet. Continental claims that the new design will knock up to 9dB(A) off the inside cabin noise and will have the same mounting as a standard tyre allowing fitment to all current rims. The ContiSilent will initially be produced in three sizes, for the Audi RS6 and RS7, with the tyre shortly due to be fitted on Audi's flagship model, the A8 in the following sizes: ContiSilent is available in: 285/30 ZR 21 100Y X 275/30 ZR 21  98Y XL