Continental completes its Generation 5 hybrid tyre family for regional freight transport with the introduction of the new Conti Hybrid HT 5 trailer tyre. Fleet operators now have a technically consistent solution for steering, drive, and trailer axles, designed to meet the daily demands of distribution transport from inner-city routes to highways and even short on/off-road routes.
“We developed the new Conti Hybrid HT 5 specifically for fleets that have to withstand the high demands of regional distribution transport on a daily basis,” says Hinnerk Kaiser, Head of Product Development for Bus and Truck Tyres at Continental. This includes situations such as frequent stop and go braking, manoeuvring in narrow streets, cornering, and varying load conditions. “The Conti Hybrid HT 5 combines safety, efficiency, and durability and supports reliable, economical operation under changing conditions.”
High Mileage and Reduced Rolling Resistance for Increased Economic Performance
Compared to its predecessor, the Conti Hybrid HT 3+, the Conti Hybrid HT 5 achieves a 15% higher mileage, resulting in lower tyre replacement costs in trailer operation. For a typical regional transport fleet with 80 trailers and an average annual mileage of 110,000 km per trailer, this means savings for the fleet of around 32 trailer tyres per year.
In addition, the effort involved in tyre changes, warehousing, and procurement is also reduced. “The optimised rolling resistance of the tyre ensures fuel-efficient operation and helps to reduce fleet costs,” emphasises Kaiser. After all, tyres account for up to 53% of the operating costs of a commercial vehicle fleet. In addition to the economic effects, there are also ecological benefits. By not producing new tyres, raw material consumption is reduced, and CO2 emissions are lowered along the entire value chain.
Safe Performance Through Innovative Tread Technology
The Conti Hybrid HT 5 impresses above all with its significantly improved grip on wet and cold roads. “A newly developed tread compound and a comprehensively optimised tread design ensure that the tyre grips reliably even in demanding weather conditions. This is reflected in the B rating for wet grip on the EU tyre label,” says Hinnerk Kaiser. In addition, with an EU label rating of “A” for external rolling noise, the tyre meets the highest requirements for low noise emissions thus contributing to a noticeable reduction in noise pollution.
The new tread design results in significantly improved grip performance. The zigzag-shaped centre grooves and the precisely engineered 2D pocket sipes ensure reliable grip even as tread depth decreases. This ensures consistently high performance in rainy, wet and winter road conditions. The optimised tread stiffness also supports even pressure distribution, forming the basis for stable, easily controllable braking performance in wet conditions.
The Right Tyre Technology for Every Axle
With the introduction of the Conti Hybrid HT 5, Continental now offers technologically coordinated solutions for all axles in regional transport. The Conti Hybrid HS 5 for the steering axle stands for precise tracking and driving comfort, while the Conti Hybrid HD 5 for the drive axle is designed for strong traction and stable, balanced braking performance. The new Conti Hybrid HT 5 complements the portfolio on the trailer axle with high running stability, robust construction, and reliable grip under varying load conditions. “All tyres in the Hybrid family are designed for high mileage and long-term performance in demanding regional applications,” summarises Hinnerk Kaiser. The optimised casing construction of the Conti Hybrid Gen 5 forms the basis for high-quality retreading over several life cycles. All tyres are also equipped with RFID sensors.
Available Sizes
The new Conti Hybrid HT 5 trailer tyre will be available in March in sizes 385/65 R22.5 and 385/55 R22.5. Continental will add further key sizes to the portfolio by 2027. All tyres are available ex works as smart tyres. The pre-installed tyre sensor allows them to be seamlessly integrated into the ContiConnect digital tyre management system.
