Continental Supplies BMW M5 and M6

Continental is to supply the new BMW M5 Limousine and the M6 Coupé. The German automotive supplier will provide both its MK60 E5 brake system and ContiSportContact 2 tyres. “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.

The MK60 E5’s brake system is reported to be more refined and precise, providing improved longitudinal and transverse dynamics. As a result, the company claims braking distances are shorter. The MK60 E5 system also features other functions including Hill Start Assist (in conjunction with standard SMG transmissions), automatic drying of the brake disks when roads are wet.

As a high-performance tyre, the ContiSportContact 2 is ideal for the chassis of the new M model. Continental was the only tyre 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.