Conti’s Santa Claus Event in Scotland

It has become a tradition that the tyre producer Continental invites the press to a “Santa Claus Event” around the 6th of December each year, presenting a certain topic/issue about the market. Whereas the group had been international for a couple of years, Conti returned to the original concept of an only German speaking group in 2001. Last year’s topic was the development and construction of 4×4 winter tyres and the problems this presents in addressing the contradictions in the expectations of performance.

In addition, an optimisation of existing test methods of 4×4 tyres off the road was discussed with the journalists. The event took place in the Scottish Highlands. One outcome: Tyre suggestions for 4×4 cars can only ever be just a compromise – even if on a high level.

The tyre has to perform well off the road and on the road. Safety aspects have to be taken into consideration as well: braking, handling and high speed performance have to be convincing as well. In addition there is the strong goal-conflict between driving performance and rollover danger.

To put it in a nutshell: The ideal tyre that fits perfectly on every SUV for every use does not exist. This statement is as true as it is simple – and was demonstrated to the journalists’ group in the Highlands. The cars (Land Rover and M-Class) that had been equipped with Continental’s “4x4WinterContact” had to capitulate very soon in the muddy ground, because the tyres have been developed for different ground conditions.

What makes it even more difficult for tyre producers is the fact, that there are insufficient testing standards for tyres on 4×4 cars. Tests are made either by the car industry of by the car magazines. Uniform procedures have not been developed yet.