Hanover/Essen, May 2008. For Barum customers, having an economical solution for their light vans is a primary concern. With its flat belt contour and sturdy tread lug structure, the SnoVanis fulfils this requirement on wintry roads.

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Barum's dedicated winter tyre for MPVs and light vans offers short braking distances on roads in winter, plus outstanding aquaplaning protection. The striking tread pattern features a large number of both sipes and block edges, which interlock admirably with snow and ice, thereby guaranteeing traction. The high longitudinal and lateral tread stiffness means high stability, especially when driving at the limit of traction on wintry ground. The developers also gave the SnoVanis three wide and deep circumferential grooves, plus other channels leading outwards to the tyre edge. This groove structure means water and slush are dispersed quickly and efficiently from the ground contact patch, creating safety reserves in the case of aquaplaning.

The fact that the SnoVanis is comparatively comfortable and quiet-running is the result of the noise-optimised arrangement of its tread pattern elements, based on elaborate computer simulations in a balanced frequency scale.

In terms of mileage performance and rolling resistance, the design characteristics of the SnoVanis are comparable to those of the Barum Vanis: the offset tread lugs in the central ribs provide counter-support and thus increase driving stability and tyre life. The combination of a sturdy tread block structure and a flat belt contour result in exceptionally even wear.

The winter tyre for MPVs and light vans was designed for speeds of up to 190 km/h (118 mph), depending on size. The SnoVanis will be available for winter 2008 in a total of 17 sizes for 14", 15" and 16" rims.

Barum is a tyre brand of Continental AG. With targeted annual sales of more than i26.4 billion in 2008, the Continental Corporation is one of the world's leading automotive suppliers. As a supplier of tyres, brake systems, systems and components for the power train and chassis, instrumentation, infotainment solutions, vehicle electronics and technical elastomers, the corporation contributes towards enhanced driving safety and protection of the global climate. Continental is also a competent partner in networked automobile communication. Today, the corporation employs approximately 150,000 people at nearly 200 locations in 36 countries.

The tyre divisions are an Official Sponsor of UEFA EURO 2008^TM, which will be held in Austria and Switzerland in June 2008. For further details, visit the websites www.ContiSoccerWorld.de, www.contifanworld.com and www.conti-online.com.