Press release
For compact cars, powerful saloons and customised
vehicles
Uniroyal rain tyres for the summer
Hanover/Essen, June 2010. In its summer tyre portfolio
Uniroyal has two rain tyres that provide good all-round
performance on dry roads as well as wet - the
RainExpert for compact and medium range cars and the
RainSport 2 for powerful saloons, sports cars and
customised vehicles.
RainExpert - the dedicated rain tyre for short braking
distances
The RainExpert from Uniroyal offers a multitude of fitting
options covering cars in the compact to medium range
segment. This dedicated rain tyre is available in no less than
83 sizes in 13", 14", 15" and 16" diameter, with a choice of
80, 70, 65, 60, 55 and 50 Series options - from the slim
135/80 R 13 T to the 215/55 R 16 V or 195/50 R 15 V. In
addition to the widely used speed classes T, H and V (for
190, 210 or 240 km/h - 118 / 131 / 150 mph), the portfolio
also includes W-rated tyres (up to 270 km/h - 168 mph), plus
XL-designated products which have a higher load capacity.
On the wider versions of this tyre, the directionally-orientated
arrow-shaped tread pattern features four grooves, whilst the
slimmer tyres have three; both versions ensure fast
1
collection and particularly efficient dispersion of water from
the ground contact patch. Taken together with the lateral
grooves, this provides highly effective aquaplaning
protection. Fine sipes in the tread pattern provide good grip
on wet roads. The tread lugs are nevertheless stiff enough to
achieve short braking distances, whilst the compact shoulder
lugs ensure a precise response to steering movements and
good handling.
With its positive driving characteristics on both wet and dry
roads, the RainExpert is a convincing performer. Maximum
aquaplaning protection and short braking distances were
focal issues in the development of this tyre. However, its
mileage performance, low rolling resistance and low rolling
noise are also very positive aspects. According to the
independent evaluation of the ADAC tyre testers, the
RainExpert was 'highly recommended' and this rating was
accompanied by the comment 'very balanced summer tyre,
good on dry and wet roads'.
Uniroyal RainSport 2 - the high-performance rain tyre
The Uniroyal RainSport 2, which comes in 65 different sizes,
is suitable for powerful saloons and sports cars as well as
customised vehicles. It is available in 15", 16", 17", 18" and
19" diameters, as a 55, 50, 45, 40, 35 and 30 Series tyre.
The RainSport 2 is a safe tyre option approved for speeds
from 240 km/h (150 mph - Speed Index V) to 300 km/h (187
mph - Speed Index W), and ranges from the highly popular
2
205/55 R 16 to the mighty 275/30 R 19. Only as a size
195/50 R 15 V tyre does the range overlap with that of the
Uniroyal RainExpert.
The Uniroyal RainSport 2 is a sporty rain tyre which also
offers high grip on wet roads. The pronounced arrow-shaped
tread pattern design means fast pick-up and dispersion of
water for aquaplaning protection. The sophisticated silica
compound used in the tyre ensures short braking distances,
whilst sturdy tread lugs in the shoulder section mean good
handling characteristics. 'Good on dry roads' was the
ADAC's comment on the test results from March 2010,
where the RainSport 2 was awarded the overall rating
'recommended'.
The Belgian rubber goods manufacturer Englebert produced
tyres from 1895 and the company's customers included
Continental AG. When the firm merged with US Rubber in
1958, it was then known as Uniroyal Englebert. Uniroyal, the
inventor of the rain tyre, has been a European brand within
the portfolio of Continental AG in Hanover, Germany since
1979.
3
With sales of approximately €20 billion in 2009 Continental is
among the leading automotive suppliers worldwide. As a
supplier of brake systems, systems and components for
powertrains and chassis, instrumentation, infotainment
solutions, vehicle electronics, tires and technical elastomers,
Continental contributes enhanced driving safety and global
climate protection. Continental is also a competent partner in
networked automobile communication. Continental currently
employs approximately 138,000 in 46 countries.
Continental is the European market leader for passenger
and light truck tires. More than 30 per cent of all new
European cars leave the factory fitted with Continental tires.
The tire divisions are an official sponsor of the 2010 FIFA
World Cup South Africa™. For further details, please go to
www.ContiSoccerWorld.com.
Alexander Lührs Klaus Engelhart
Head of Public Relations PLT-Tyres Press Officer
Continental AG Continental AG
Büttnerstraße 25 Büttnerstraße 25
D-30165 Hannover, Germany D-30165 Hannover, Germany
Tel.: +49 511 938 2615 Tel.: +49 511 938 2285
Fax: +49 511 938 2455 Fax: +49 511 938 2455
E-mail: alexander.luehrs@conti.de E-mail: klaus.engelhart@conti.de
www.uniroyal.de
Picture database at: http://mediacenter.conti-online.com
4