• Automaker approves Continental tires for 18, 19 and 20 inch rims for its new SUV
• Volvo Cars orders three tire models for use as original equipment worldwide – two of them featuring extra quiet ContiSilent technology

Volvo Cars has approved the ContiEcoContact 5, the ContiSportContact 5 and the ContiCrossContact LX Sport in sizes 235/60 R 18, 235/55 R 19 and 255/45 R 20 for use as original equipment on the new Volvo XC 60. All the tires are marked with the abbreviation “VOL” after the tire size to distinguish the Volvo Cars original equipment specification from the regular version. Two of the models, the ContiSportContact 5 in size 235/55 R 19 and the ContiCrossContact LX Sport in size 255/45 R 20, are equipped with ContiSilent technology. These tires have a special coating on the inside of the tread that considerably reduces tire/road noise, making for an even more comfortable ride. In the replacement market, the tires are available from Volvo dealerships and tire dealers; the 20-inch size is only on sale in the USA.

Tires from Continental are leading the way as original equipment with one in three new cars in Europe rolling off the production line on tires engineered in Hanover. In the United States, one new car in seven is fitted with Continental tires. In the ContiSportContact 5, Continental has a product that is particularly suitable for sporty cars and SUVs with sporty handling characteristics. It delivers high grip and short braking distances on wet and dry roads. For a sporty tire, it also features very low rolling resistance and good mileage. The key to this performance is the Black Chili compound designed for maximum force transmission under braking and low rolling resistance during normal driving.

The ContiEcoContact 5 combines short braking distances on wet and dry roads with low rolling resistance. Compared to the predecessor model, this tire offers 20-percent lower rolling resistance and 12-percent higher mileage.

The ContiCrossContact LX Sport was developed specifically for use as original equipment and has received approvals from a large number of European, American and Japanese SUV manufacturers. It has already become a popular product in the replacement market too. As a tire for more powerful cars, it offers good grip, precise steering behavior on wet and dry roads as well as high mileage and comfort, and can also handle light off-road use.