Continental has unveiled a new custom tire design, the Conti e.MotionPro specifically developed for the electric truck from MAN, the MAN CitE. The company introduced the new tire at the 67th International Motor Show (IAA) Commercial Vehicles in Hanover, Germany.

Continental’s tire design combines a striking blue stripe on the sidewall with a hand-carved profile and blue groove bottoms on the tread. Continental’s experts drafted and implemented the design of the Conti e.MotionPro based on the layout coordinated with MAN. During the production of the green tire at the plant in Púchov (Slovakia), the sidewall shell was manufactured by hand and “pulse blue” paint applied to the sidewall while the tire was heated. The custom-made profile was then created in a laborious robotic cutting process and refined by experienced tire carvers in Stöcken, Hanover. At the same time, small rubber parts were pasted into the grooves by hand. Continental is one of the few tire manufacturers that can manually produce individual designs in small quantities.

man-conti-e-motionprostudy-data (1) — © Continental

Klaus Kreipe, Head of Original Equipment Truck Tires at Continental, explains the challenges in tire development: “Electric vehicles can temporarily be fitted with conventional tires. However, the new powertrains and the new vehicle concepts that are sometimes associated with them will change the requirements for commercial vehicle tires. We are currently making use of partnerships to gain valuable experience for the development of tires for electric trucks and buses.” Together with commercial vehicle manufacturers and municipal bus companies, Continental wants to develop tires with cutting-edge technologies for the start of production of electric vehicles, Kreipe announced.

The Conti e.MotionPro design tire can be seen at IAA Commercial Vehicles on the new electric truck for use in the city, the MAN CitE, which was likewise presented for the first time at the event. The vehicle and tires are located at the stand of the commercial vehicle manufacturer MAN in Hall 12. The tire is also on display at Continental’s stand, A06/B11, in Hall 17.

Tagged: man CitE truck

Continental introduces custom tire design for MAN CitE electric truck