New Sailun tire for electric cars
The Chinese Sailun Group held a large-scale presentation of new tires at the recently held The Tire Cologne 2024 exhibition in Cologne, which was attended by the company's top management, including Chairman of the Board Liu Yanhua and Honorary Chairman Yuan Zhongxue. One of the key innovations was the summer passenger tire Sailun Atrezzo Erange, developed specifically for use on electric cars and hybrids, but also suitable for use on traditional internal combustion engine vehicles.
The manufacturer claims that the Atrezzo Erange stands out for its improved braking performance on dry and wet roads, precise reactions to driver actions, and optimal resistance to lateral drift. The reinforced carcass design also has a positive effect on handling, including when cornering.
The properties of the tires largely depend on the rubber compound, and for the Atrezzo Erange, a new compound was developed that simultaneously reduces rolling resistance and increases the level of grip, and therefore safety. Instead of the labor-intensive mechanical mixing process, a new technology called liquid-phase mixing was used, which allows for a more uniform distribution of the compound's ingredients. This strengthens the bonds between the polymer and the filler, increasing the tire's lifespan and improving its operational characteristics. Additionally, the technology, called EcoPoint3, also allows for a 36% reduction in energy consumption during production. Furthermore, technical carbon is replaced with silica, which reduces the tire's rolling resistance, and in the future, the compound can be modified to have optimal options for various climatic and road conditions, as well as areas of application.
"We strive to combine conflicting tire characteristics such as safety, efficiency, and environmental friendliness," said Zimbal. "And similar technologies represent the key to our success."
The Atrezzo Erange tires have an asymmetric tread pattern, and the design of the inner section is designed to quickly drain water from the contact zone with the road surface, while the task of the elements in the outer zone is to improve stability and handling. In addition, the tires are made using a technology that, due to the use of sound-absorbing material in the design, can reduce the noise level by 9 dB.
The new tires have entered the market in the size 255/40 R20, and it is planned to produce them in sizes with a diameter of 19-21 inches, a tread width of 225-305 mm, and speed indices from T to Y. According to the European classification, the novelty received a "B" rating for economy and noise, as well as an "A" rating for wet grip.
Sailun was founded just over 20 years ago, but by the end of last year, it was able to enter the top 10 largest tire manufacturers in the world. As noted in the company, such developments as EcoPoint3 help to move towards the goal of a 100% transition to environmentally friendly raw materials by 2050.