Geneva launch for ContiPremiumContact 5

Along with two cold weather products, the ContiWinterContact TS 850 and Conti.eContact Winter, at the Geneva motor show Continental displayed a brand new summer tyre, the ContiPremiumContact 5. Due to be launched this spring, the new high-volume range will be manufactured in 26 sizes for 14 to 17-inch rims – making it suitable for vehicles ranging from small to luxury cars – and is approved for speeds of up to 270 km/h.

Continental says the ContiPremiumContact 5 offers short stopping distances on dry and wet roads, low rolling resistance, high mileage performance, precise handling and superior ride comfort. The manufacturer reports that tests show “clear improvements” have been made in comparison with the model it replaces. Specifically, stopping distances in the wet are now down 15 per cent and rolling resistance eight per cent, mileage performance is up 12 per cent and ride comfort five per cent. Handling properties are also said to have improved in comparison with the predecessor model.
 
On the ContiPremiumContact 5, Conti’s engineers opted for particularly large tread blocks on the tyre shoulder. The design was first developed for sport tyres and offers high levels of grip particularly during cornering as the width of the tyre’s contact area is maximised in the load-bearing areas of the tyre shoulder. As a result, Continental says the tread profile is stabilised, enabling drivers to expect maximum surface adhesion during cornering – a safety advantage that makes a difference when swerving to avoid obstacles.

So-called ‘3D edges’ have been incorporated into the tyre – Conti says these transverse grooves in the tread blocks shorten stopping distances by preventing the blocks from curling in. This, in turn, means a larger surface area is available for transferring braking forces. Additional sipes are also incorporated in the tread blocks to decrease stopping distances, even on wet roads. These elements act like a windscreen wiper and break up the water film.

On wet roads, tyres must be able to displace large amounts of water from the contact area. On the ContiPremiumContact 5, this is performed by what Continental calls “aqua grooves” in the tread belts. According to the manufacturer, even at higher speeds this design ensures the rapid dispersion of water without a reduction in tread stiffness, which is important for good straight-line tracking and precise handling.

To lower low rolling resistance, the belt edge and the shoulder area of the ContiPremiumContact 5 have been designed to ensure the reinforcing materials used are particularly sturdy. Continental explains that this reduces their intrinsic movement, which in turn reduces energy losses while the vehicle is in motion and significantly reduces rolling resistance. The tyre maker adds that its developers also broke new ground in terms of the tyre’s sidewall area design: This is said to ensure more flexibility than in previous models, and the bead area has been reinforced. The aim of this is to reduce rolling resistance while at the same time improve handling accuracy and provide a high level of ride comfort.

In addition to offering safety and reliability, modern tyres also need to generate minimal rolling noise. To do this, so-called “whisper bars” are incorporated into the shoulders of the ContiPremiumContact 5. These small rubber segments build a bridge between the individual blocks and thus prevent the rolling noise generated on asphalt from escaping to the surroundings. At the same time, these bars also mean the tread blocks can be left open toward the outside. This helps to disperse water quickly on rain-slick roads and thus counteracts the risk of aquaplaning.