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The new Volkswagen Passat CC coupe-style four-door, unveiled at the Detroit Motor Show, rides on a new design of self-sealing Continental tyres.
Using technology called the ContiSeal, the tyre maker has developed a system that puts a protective layer on the inside of the tread to immediately seal holes that develop when screws or nails puncture the tyre.
"The seal works on nearly all leaks caused by objects up to 5mm in diameter," says Detlef Zschrner, head of the Automotive Group Volkswagen/Audi at Continental. "That means they can prevent about 85 per cent of typical flat tyres." There's just one catch - because motorists won't always notice that an object has gone into the tyre, Continental recommends that tyres be examined regularly for nails or screws.
