FORT MILL, SC - Continental Tire North America, Inc., has released its new HTR2, an all-position wide base tire for construction vehicles operating mainly on regional roads.

The HTR2 wide base replaces the HTR wide base tire and is produced in Continental's award-winning Mt. Vernon, Ill. plant. The redesigned tire now offers 20-percent more wear volume than the original HTR, through a wider tread pattern and an increase in tread depth, now at 22/32 inches.

The HTR2 owes its durability and advanced performance characteristics to the wider tread and shoulder ribs, which improve wear. The tread grooves reduce stone trapping. The exclusive Continental tread compound technology is cut- and chip-resistant, which allows for higher tread endurance and optimal product performance. This compound is also 5 percent less rolling resistant than the original HTR, resulting in greater fuel efficiency.

Also crucial to construction and regional applications is Continental's patented stone ejection system, which reduces casing penetrations and stone retention. The system actively ejects rocks and debris from the tire's grooves to prevent stone trapping and drilling, and protects against the cracking and tearing associated with stone retention.

The HTR2's enhanced design now features a reinforced steel core bead that promotes stiffness and retreadability, and is rated for load range L. The new HTR2 can be ordered now through Continental truck tire dealers and is available in 385/65R22.5 and 445/65R22.5 sizes.

For more information, visit Continental's truck tire Web site at www.continental-truck.com.