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Press Release |
Continental AG Supplies High-Tech Products for BMW M5 and M6
Hanover/Frankfurt, June 29, 2005. For the new M5 Limousine and the M6 Coupé, BMW M is purchasing premium technology from the international automotive supplier Continental AG, Hanover. This includes the state-of-the-art MK60 E5 brake system and the ContiSportContact 2 high-performance tire. "Once again, BMW is placing its trust in our know-how and expertise for its top sporty models, following the current M3 and M3 CSL models. We're very pleased about this," said Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann, president of Continental Automotive Systems and member of the Continental AG Executive Board.
With the MK60 E5 brake system, the control processes are more refined and precise, ensuring improved longitudinal and transverse dynamics. As a result, braking distances are shorter, the brake intervention is barely perceptible, and driving stability is improved when maneuvering in challenging driving situations. Safety and comfort are enhanced further by extra functions of the MK60 E5 such as Hill Start Assist (in conjunction with standard SMG transmissions), automatic drying of the brake disks when roads are wet and the preventative application of the brake linings in situations that are likely to lead to emergency braking. Brake pressure is applied by the high-performance foundation brakes from Automotive Systems.
As a high-performance tire, the ContiSportContact 2 is ideal for the chassis of the new M model. Continental was the only tire manufacturer to be approved for the production start-up of the M5 and the M6. "During the development phase, we had to pull out all the high-tech stops, taking into account the possible high lateral acceleration and the extreme engine performance characteristic," said Bodo Mirsch, who is responsible for the BMW original equipment at Continental.
The Deflation Detection System (DDS) from Automotive Systems, known as the Tire Defect Indicator (TDI) at BMW, is integrated in the brake system where it ensures that the high-performance tires function optimally at all times: Should the inflation pressure of a tire fall below a critical threshold, the driver is informed by a signal in the cockpit.
The ContiTech division also supplies products for the new BMW M model, for instance hose lines for power steering, engine oil cooling and fuel as well as V-ribbed belts. Furthermore, surface materials for door moldings, seats, sun visors and the ticket pocket create a superb interior.
The Continental Corporation is a leading supplier of brake systems, chassis components, vehicle electronics, tires and technical elastomers. In 2004 the corporation realized sales of EUR12.6 billion. At present it has a worldwide workforce of more than 81,000.
Hannes Boekhoff
Head of Press
Continental AG
Vahrenwalder Strasse 9
30165 Hanover/Germany
Tel.: 0511 938-1278
Fax: 0511 938-1055
Email: prkonzern@conti.de
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