HANNOVER, Germany (Aug. 8, 2013) — Continental A.G. has begun delivering to German car maker Audi A.G. a noise-dampened version of its ContiSportContact 5 P tire that uses a polymer foam bonded to the innerliner.
Conti joins Pirelli Tyre S.p.A. in disclosing similar developments to meet new Audi standards for reduced interior cabin noise. Pirelli claims its "Pirelli Noise Cancelling System" can reduce the noise heard by those inside the car by 2 to 3 decibels, or roughly half.
Conti is calling its technology—which it claims can reduce the tire-generated noise level reaching a car's cabin by as much as 9 decibels—"ContiSilent." This special layer of foam has a strong damping effect on the sound waves caused by the rolling tire, according to the tire maker.
The company did not disclose what type of or how much foam it is using to achieve the desired noise-dampening effect, but it did say the change has no effect on other performance characteristics.
Tires made with this foam insert are being delivered to Audi for fitment to the car maker's RS 6 Avant (285/30 ZR21) and RS 7 Sportback (275/30 ZR 21), Conti said.