Semperit Euro-Front M 249 and M 350

Hanover/ Essen, June 2004. A truck’s steering axle has a special role to play in local and long-distance haulage. Almost fifty percent of the spare-tire requirement in the case of trucks is for this axle position. This, and the increasing demands of the customers, were two good reasons prompting Semperit to launch the Semperit M247 and M 350.

Here you can download the press release as a rtf-file (12 KB).

The two new Semperit steering-axle tires for medium-heavy and heavy trucks aspire to recognition as hard road workers. In response to the ever louder customer demand for good mileage performance, low rolling resistance and carcass retreadability, both the M 249 and M 350 deliver a marked improvement in overall economy. Safety aspects were not neglected either.

Like the M 249 for medium-sized trucks, the M 350 Euro-Front for heavy trucks has been given an extra-wide tread. This is not the only feature providing for the tire´s improved mileage performance, however. The optimized belt design also makes a contribution. It gives the tire especially uniform pressure distribution in the contact patch, which, in turn, ensures an especially uniform wear pattern. An additional active element is the new rubber compound used. More consistent carbon black distribution than in the past renders the tread more resistant to wear. It also provides for a higher damping effect while limiting, at the same time, heat buildup and thereby making the tread particularly resistant to injury.

The tread pattern shows five circumferential ribs and four grooves. Whereas the ribs stand for good straightline driving and extremely precise steering response, the large number of lateral sipes ensure good adherence when braking on wet roads. The newly designed cut of the tread grooves prevents stones from lodging there - a valuable feature in guaranteeing the retreadability of the carcass. Prior to retreading, the tires can, of course, also be regrooved.

The M 350 Euro-Front is initially available in two sizes:

• 295/80 R 22,5 152/ 148 M
• 315/80 R 22,5 154/150 M (156/150 L)

The M 249 Euro-Front is being offered in the following sizes:

• 245/70 R 19,5 136/134 M
• 265/70 R 19,5  140/138 M
• 285/70 R 19,5 144/143 M

Semperit has been a tire brand in the Continental AG family since 1985. The Continental Corporation is a leading supplier of tires, chassis components and systems, powertrain, safety and comfort electronics and technical elastomers. In fiscal 2003 the company realized sales of EUR11.5 billion with a worldwide workforce of around 69,000.