Rolling resistance

Si 69^® improved rolling resistance by about 25 %, and fuel consumption fell by about 5 %. In all key characteristics, this new generation of tires has a significantly better level of performance.

VP Si 363^®: Rolling resistance -35%

A successor, the mercaptosilane VP Si 363^®, is already introduced to the market. Compared to the established silica-silane systems with Si 69^®, the rolling resistance of the rubber compound with VP Si 363 is reduced by over 10 %. Thirteen percent lower values have already been measured on an actual tire. When compared to tires without silica/silane, rolling resistance drops by about 38%. Fuel consumption falls by 3 to 8%, depending on the basis of comparison.

A valuable advantage, especially if one considers that the new EU regulations starting in 2012 will limit and label the rolling resistance of all existing tires.