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By
EWAN KENNEDY
16 February 2009
A fascinating feature introduced in the new Volkswagen Passat CC
is the use of a tyre that can repair itself in minor and mid-range
puncture situations.
Developed by Continental, and called ContiSeal, the Mobility Tyre
has a special sealant on the inside of the tyre that flows into a
hole in the tread and makes a permanent repair. It can work on
punctures up to about five millimetres in diameter. Continental
says this comprises about 85 per cent of all tyre damage.
So
quick is the automatic repair – which we have seen demonstrated
by VW – that the driver is likely to be unaware that the tyre
has suffered a problem. And there's no real need for them to know,
as the tyre simply keeps on working as before.
Given
that punctures are a rarity these days it means most users of the
Passat CC will never experience a situation that makes changing a
tyre necessary.
The
Mobility Tyre has made its debut on all models of the Passat CC
and will later be made available on other models in the VW range.
It seems likely other tyre manufactures will pick up on the
concept.
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Marque Publishing Company
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