An 18-inch tyre is no longer unusual as Continental adds new sizes
Not long ago, 18-inch wheels meant a sporty car and a hefty options bill. Now, this size can be found on an entirely ordinary family car. Continental is preparing for the new normal by adding more than 650 UHP tyre sizes to its range by the end of 2027.
The reason is straightforward. Cars are becoming bigger, heavier and more powerful. SUVs are increasing vehicle weight and wheel diameters, while electric cars add a battery pack and deliver substantial torque to the tyres almost instantly. Physics has not disappeared with the arrival of the electric era.
Continental’s own figures illustrate the change clearly. The share of UHP tyres measuring at least 18 inches in Continental-brand passenger-car tyre sales rose from 49% in 2020 to 62% in 2025. Across all of the group’s brands, the share increased from 41% to 55% over the same period.
The trend has progressed furthest in Asia-Pacific, where UHP tyres account for 70% of passenger-car tyre sales. The figure is 66% in the Americas and 43% in the EMEA region, which includes Europe.
More weight, more power, more work for the tyre
UHP no longer simply means a soft performance tyre that offers better grip on dry asphalt. A modern tyre must perform in wet conditions, cope with the weight of a heavy vehicle, retain precise handling and at the same time offer low rolling resistance, a long service life and acceptable ride comfort. These conflicts are particularly apparent in electric cars. A two-tonne electric SUV can accelerate like a sports car of the past, yet its owner also expects quietness, long range and normal tyre life. From a tyre engineer’s perspective, that is hardly a modest wish list.
Continental is therefore expanding its UHP range under both its core brand and the Semperit and Uniroyal brands. The new sizes will be supplied both as original equipment to car manufacturers and to the replacement market. Continental’s largest UHP tyres already reach 24 inches.
