Continental’s “next generation” upgrade of its best-selling regional steer tire officially hit the market on July 1. The HSR2 (Heavy Steer Regional) replaces the HSR model.
Produced at the company’s Mt. Vernon, Ill. plant, the tire’s four-rib design offers higher lateral stability for greater resistance to side forces often found in regional applications, according to Clif Armstrong, director of commercial vehicle tire marketing.
“The HSR2’ proven four-rib design takes stability to a new level and offers a 15 percent increase in removal miles over the original HSR,” says Armstrong. “Yet, our regional haul customers can expect this new tire to continue our leadership in durable, even-wearing tires.”
Exclusive compound technologies featured in the new tire allow for higher tread endurance and optimal product performance, but other important new features are also introduced, he notes. The HSR2’s patent-pending groove geometry allows the use of more complex groove designs by undercutting (tunneling under) the groove features.
“This new technology allows for more aggressive groove designs which are less likely to tear or crack at the groove bottom. The groove base remains straight and avoids the stress risers that often result from a zigzag-type design,” explains Roger Stansbie, divisional director of Continental’s radial truck tire technologies.
The tire’s VAI+ is described as the next step in the evolution of the Continental’s Visual Alignment Indicator system. The addition of a plus (+) mark represents the useful remaining tread depth as the tire wears, allowing the consumer constant visual representation on the tread surface. At 8/32 inches of tread depth, these indicators change from (+) to (-), alerting the consumer that it is time to consider tire removal or movement to the trailer axle. The (-) indicator remains visible until 4/32 inches, and when it completely disappears, this signifies the approach to the lowest depth limit allowed by law.
“This patent-pending feature is not only an early warning system for alignment problems. Now, with the additional features of VAI+, these tread wear indicators will be beneficial throughout the truck tire’s entire first life cycle,” says Stansbie.
Other tire life enhancements include the company’s newest stone ejection system, an upgraded sidewall design with a curb/scuff rib to fight damage from curbing and abrasions and a tread depth 23/32 inches.
“When you consider all of the benefits and improvements of the HSR2, we expect this tire to offer our truck tire customers better endurance and some of the most useful features they can find in a regional truck tire,” Armstrong says. “We’re confident that the HSR2 will become one of the most important tools in the arsenal of regional fleets as they look for ways to lower their overall driving costs,” he adds.
It is available in the 11R22.5 size for load ranges G and H; 275/80R22.5 size for load ranges G and H; 11R24.5 size for load ranges G and H; and 285/75R24.5 size for load range G.
For more information, visit www.continental-truck.com.
