Volkswagen Concept Vehicle Mission Efficiency Sets World Record on Continental Tires

This is precisely where Continental focuses its tire development. The concept tire is based on the EcoContact 7, which already offers exceptionally low rolling resistance as a production tire. For the record-breaking drive, the tire was modified according to Volkswagen’s specifications. The result is a tire that deforms even less as it rolls, further reducing energy consumption and increasing the range per battery charge.

What sets the record-breaking tire apart

Two components are particularly important for achieving low rolling resistance. First, the sidewall follows the same design principle used in the EcoContact 7 production tire, providing stability without increasing rolling resistance. Second, the tread compound has been specially tailored to the tire’s other components. Together with the carcass and tread pattern, it helps minimize the energy losses generated as the tire rolls.

A key additional advantage comes from a new manufacturing process. During production, the initially soft green tire is hardened in a mold under heat and pressure – a process known as vulcanization. In this case, however, Continental does not heat the tire uniformly at the same temperature, as is typical in conventional production. Instead, different areas of the tire are exposed to different temperatures. For example, the tread is cured differently from the sidewall. This allows the properties of each area of the tire to be optimized more precisely. For the tread, this results in even lower rolling resistance.

Low rolling noise

Rolling noise also played an important role in the development of the record-breaking tire. Its tread pattern was specifically designed by Continental to achieve particularly low noise levels. Continental’s engineers varied the spacing and angles of the tread blocks so that the noises they generate partially overlap and cancel each other out.

The principle is similar to that used in noise-canceling headphones. For the Mission Efficiency vehicle, this means the record-breaking tire not only improves efficiency but also ensures a particularly quiet driving experience. This aspect is becoming increasingly important in electric vehicles because, without the sound of an internal combustion engine, tire noise becomes far more noticeable.

OEM cooperation

The ID. Polo production car, upon which the Mission Efficiency is based, is already fitted with Continental’s EcoContact 7 as standard. For the record project, the two companies went a step further. Continental developed the tire in close collaboration with Volkswagen’s vehicle and aerodynamics engineers. The teams worked closely together from a very early stage of development to optimize the tire, vehicle and aerodynamics for maximum efficiency. The collaboration also extended to the vehicle’s design. The tire’s color-accented sidewall incorporates styling elements from the Mission Efficiency concept and contributes to the vehicle’s overall visual identity.

Three world records in one drive

During the record drive, the Mission Efficiency set three benchmarks: it became the world’s most aerodynamic near-production vehicle, with a drag coefficient (Cd) of 0.158; the most efficient four-seat electric vehicle in its class in a single drive under controlled conditions; and the most economical near-production four-seat electric vehicle on an officially documented long-distance drive under real-world conditions. These achievements were made possible by a vehicle shape optimized for aerodynamics from the outset, along with innovative solutions to improve airflow across all relevant areas of the vehicle. The record-breaking vehicle is largely based on production components from the ID. Polo, including its battery and drivetrain. The Mission Efficiency therefore demonstrates the efficiency gains that can be achieved through targeted improvements to existing electric-vehicle technologies – under real-world, long-distance driving conditions and beyond standardized test cycles.

Source: Continental