Dec 2011: A New High Performance Summer Tyre from Fulda – the EcoControl HP

German tyre brand Fulda revealed the details about its upcoming High Performance summer tyre - the EcoControl HP. The tyres will be available in the market in time for the 2012 season, official sources confirmed.

What makes the EcoControl HP unique is that it will be able to tackle both wet and dry road conditions with equal ease. Between September and October 2011, tests were conducted on the tyres by TÜV SÜD Automotive, an independent testing organization, which certified the EcoControl HP as a “well balanced performance tyre”.

Why EcoControl HP

The HP refers to the high performance of the tyres. The use of the word ‘eco’ in the name of the tyre indicates its environment friendliness due to the amazing fuel efficiency it offers. And ‘control’ refers to the improved control provided by the tyre due to its excellent grip properties, to drivers in all driving conditions, whether wet or dry.

Technology behind the EcoControl HP

The tyre has decoupled shoulder ribs, sitting on an elliptical cavity. As a result of this asymmetric design, the road to tyre contact is optimised, leading to better braking response on dry roads.

The TÜV SÜD Automotive tests revealed that the EcoControl tyres travelled 5% lesser than the tested competitor bands when brakes were applied on dry roads. This unique rib design also ensures that the wear on the tyre is uniform, contributing to the longevity of the tyre.

The tyre incorporates a newly developed silica tread compound that provides solid traction while negotiating wet roads. The presence of proprietary multiple Aqua Flow grooves help disperse water efficiently and the biting edges on the tyres offer better grip, resulting in 9% shorter braking distance in wet conditions.

Considering that the chances of accidents are always higher in wet condition driving, this result is very significant.

Better Fuel Efficiency and Greater Mileage

At the core of the EcoControl HP tyres is its new silica tread compound referred to by the manufacturer as “Engineered Compound Technology”.

This compound essentially contains a nano intricate polymer blend that intertwines all the key components of the tyres in a tight net, which contributes to a reduction in rolling resistance.

The TÜV SÜD Automotive tests revealed a 9% lower rolling resistance for the EcoControl HP tyres as compared to competitors. The reduction in rolling resistance naturally contributes to increased fuel efficiency, as less fuel is diverted to overcome the rolling resistance.

Further, the flatter tyre contour and greater width of the tread ensures that the tyre offers improved mileage.

The Perfect Blend of Performance and Affordability

The EcoControl HP tyres are extremely affordable, shooting down the myth that tyres have to compromise on quality to remain cost effective.

Mr. Alain Klepper, Consumer Brand Director for Fulda, Europe, Middle East and Africa said that the company had specifically developed the EcoControl HP tyres to provide optimal performance in both wet and dry conditions because weather realities around us are changing today. The days of dry summers appear to be a thing of the past and motorists are sure to encounter wet roads in summers.

“With the new EcoContro HP, you are completely prepared to handle such conditions”, Mr. Klepper signs off.