The most noticeable is the increase in wear resistance and aquaplaning resistance (Fig. 1), despite the fact that it was possible to improve not only smoothness, but already excellent braking properties - the fad of this model. There are three main innovations: a tread with a “three-dimensional groove”, a new mixture, a narrower and flatter breaker.
At first glance, it is difficult to detect the main feature of the tread pattern - a different inclination of the side faces of the grooves. The steep edges act like sharp wiper blades, cutting off the water film from the road, and gently sloping edges ensure the tread blocks are stiff, preventing them from breaking. This reduces the braking distance on dry surfaces (Fig. 2). Another feature of the multifaceted grooves is the best drainage due to the directed swirl of the water flow.
For Premium Contact 2, the designers proposed a narrower and flatter belt (Fig. 3) - this way the tire slips less, heats up less and, therefore, lasts longer. A significant role in this was played by the new composition of the mixture with modified synthetic rubber, silica and softeners of a new type.
