Press Release
2012 Range of Summer Tyres from Continental
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Tyres available for virtually all car and SUV models
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Wide-ranging list of approvals from European and Asian vehicle manufacturers
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Continental focuses on safety and low rolling resistance
Hanover / Geneva, March 2012. In time for the new summer season, Continental has
expanded its range of summer tyres. Its top-of-the-range ContiSportContact 5 P for sports
cars with high-performance engines is available in more than 20 sizes. For compact and
medium-size vehicle, on the other hand, the company carries the ContiPremiumContact 5,
an eco-friendly tyre that affords a wide margin of safety. Then there is the ContiSportContact
Vmax, a tuning-market tyre approved for speeds of up to 360 km/h. With the
ContiSportContact 5 P, the automotive supplier has primarily high-end sports cars in mind,
while the ContiSportContact 5 fills the gap for more high-powered sedans and tautly tuned
cars. The design of the ContiEcoContact 5 addresses the needs of cars in the mini, small
and compact classes. In tests carried out in recent years, Continental summer tyres have
consistently received top ratings from specialist publications. They have received wideranging car manufacturer approvals.
ContiSportContact 5 P
Fitted with different sized tyres on their front and rear axles, powerfully engined vehicles
with rear-wheel drive enjoy a distinct advantage in terms of accelerating, braking and
handling. It is possible to further boost the advantages in terms of driving dynamics if the
tyres have been specifically developed for this particular drive layout.
Consequently, the new ContiSportContact 5 P has been designed to optimize the way in
which acceleration forces are transmitted from the rear axle. To this end, a tread design
has been developed with a large contact area to guarantee optimal transfer of forces. The
two solid central ribs of the asymmetrically formed tread guarantee the best traction for
the rear tyres. They also ensure that no thrust power is lost during fast acceleration. At the
same time, the block structure of the outer tyre shoulder ensures that lateral forces are
transferred effectively. This mainly benefits direct handling, because steering commands
are implemented quickly and safely. Aiming to enhance this effect, the tyre developers left
out one of the two central ribs on the tyre intended for the front axle. This allows more
room for wider block structures that improve handling. To ensure short, finely controlled
braking distances, tread blocks in the centre of the tyre shore one another up via short
bars that prevent their sagging.
Therefore, the tyre designs for both the front and rear axle are perfectly attuned to one
another and to mounting on the individual axles. This allows for sporty, dynamic driving
without any compromise of safe handling characteristics.
ContiSportContact 5 – sporty, safe and eco-friendly
With the new ContiSportContact 5, Continental offers a product that is equally well suited to
sports cars and SUVs of a more sporty nature. By means of extensive research and ample
testing, it proved possible to reduce stopping distances significantly on wet and dry roads,
cut rolling resistance by over 10% and up mileage performance by 13%. Development of a
special compound was crucial in achieving this. It ensures maximum transmission of braking
forces while still making for low rolling resistance when the vehicle is coasting. Known as
BlackChilli, this special compound takes advantage of the tyre’s vibration variations. The
ContiSportContact 5 also boasts very precise handling. This allows for more dynamic driving
performance than in the case of the predecessor tyre. Continental markets the new sport tyre
in a 17-to-18-inch size range for cars, with aspect ratios of 50% to 35% and approvals for
speeds of up to 300 km/h. The SUV size range covers 18-, 19- and 20-inch tyres with aspect
ratios of between 55% and 45%. Here as well, approvals have been granted for speeds of up
to 300 km/h.
ContiEcoContact 5 – safety combined with a low rolling resistance
Until now, combining short braking distances on wet and dry roads with low rolling resistance
was highly problematic. With the ContiEcoContact 5, Europe’s leading tyre manufacturer
Continental offers a product that effortlessly reconciles these seemingly conflicting
requirements. To do this, the tyre developers had to break new ground in all areas of the tyre
– the casing, compound, tyre contour and tread design. In the end, they were able to achieve
exceptional progress over the predecessor model. As a result, stopping distances on wet
road surfaces have been reduced, as has rolling resistance – by 20%. Mileage performance
increased 12%. This means a vehicle fitted with the new ContiEcoContact 5 tyre uses about
3% less fuel than the same car with standard tyres. 42 variants of the new ContiEcoContact
5 will be available in sizes ranging from 14 to 17 inches. Approvals have been granted for
speeds of up to 300 km/h.
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ContiSportContact Vmax – approved for speeds of up to 360 km/h
Thanks to multiple tread grooves, which offer optimum tyre cooling even at top speeds, and a
handling-enhancing tread depth of 6.3 to 7 millimetres, the ContiSportContact Vmax ensures
reliably safe driving at speeds of up to 360 km/h. The high negative tread ratio, moreover,
guarantees good water dispersion in the wet. The asymmetrical ContiSportContact Vmax is
obtained production releases for speeds as high as 360 km/h. In controlled record trials, the
high-tech tyre from Hanover has already attained speeds of up to 409 km/h.
ContiForceContact – road-homologated racing tyres
The ContiForceContact is a thoroughbred racing tyre for sports events. Its tread is actually
intended merely to get the vehicle safely to and from the racetrack. In developing the tyre,
Continental collaborated with AC Schnitzer and TechArt, as well as driving experts from
the specialist publication sportauto. The result is a high-performance product for use in
racing driver training and perfection training – on the Nordschleife of the Nürburgring, for
instance. The special features include ultimate grip and optimum steering precision in critical
situations. To this end, the macro block design – originally tried and tested on the
ContiSportContact 5 P – has been carefully refined, with the addition of bidirectional water
drainage grooves on the inside of the tread.
Last year, the ContiForceContact passed the ultimate test – the 24-hour Nürburgring race event
– with flying colours. This season, the uncompromising tyre for motorsport events is available in
five selected sizes.
ContiSportContact Vmax
35 Series
30/25 Series
235/35 ZR 19 Z XL
315/25 ZR 19 Z
325/30 ZR 19 Z XL
ContiPremiumContact 5
70 Series
155/70 R 14 T
175/70 R 14 T
60 Series
175/60 R 14 H
185/60 R 14 H
65 Series
165/65 R 14 T
175/65 R 14 T
195/65 R 14 H
175/65 R 15 H
185/65 R 15 H, V
195/65 R 15 T, H, V
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195/60 R 14 H, V
185/60 R 15 T, H
185/60 R 15 H XL
195/60 R 15 H, V
205/60 R 15 H, V, W
205/60 R 15 H XL
215/60 R 15 H XL
225/60 R 15 V, W
195/60 R 16 H, V
205 /60 R 16 H, W
205/60 R 16 V XL, W XL
215/60 R 16 H
215/60 R 16 V XL
225/60 R 16 V, W
225/60 R 16 V XL
235/60 R 16 V, W
215/60 R 17 H
235/60 R 17 Y
50 Series
195/50 R 15 T, H, V
205/50 R 15 V
225/50 R 16 V, W
235/50 R 18 V, W
205/65 R 15 H, V
55 Series
185/55 R 14 H
175/55 R 15 T
185/55 R 15 T, H
185/55 R 15 H XL
195/55 R 15 H
205/55 R 15 V
195/55 R 16 H
195/55 R 16 H XL
195/55 R16 H XL SSR
205/55 R 16 H, V, W
215/55 R 16 H, V, W, Y
215/55 R 16 W XL
225/55 R 16 V, W, Y
225/55 R 16 W XL, Y XL
205/55 R 17 H XL
205/55 R 17 V
215/55 R 17 W
225/55 R 17 W XL
235/55 R 17 W
215/55 R 18 H
215/55 R 18 V XL
235/55 R 18 Y XL
45 Series
195/45 R 16 H XL, V XL
215/45 R 16 H
ContiEcoContact 5
70 Series:
165/70 R 14 T
175/70 R 14 T
60 Series:
185/60 R 14 H
185/60 R 15 T / H XL
195/60 R 15 H
205/60 R 15 V XL
195/60 R 16 V XL
205/60 R 16 H XL / W
215/60 R 15 V / V XL
65 Series:
175/65 R 14 T XL
185/65 R 14 H
175/65 R 15 T / H
185/65 R 15 T / H
195/65 R 15 H XL / V
205/65 R 15 V
55 Series:
185/55 R 15 H /H XL
195/55 R 15 V
195/55 R 16 XL H E / V
205/55 R 16 91 H / V / W / XL H / XL V / XL W
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215/55 R 16 W XL
225/55 R 16 Y XL
225/55 R 17 W
ContiSportContact 5 P
Available sizes for front axle / all positions:
40 Series:
35 Series:
235/40 ZR 18 Y XL MO
225/35 ZR 19
255/40 ZR 19 XL
235/35 ZR 19 XL MO
245/35 ZR 19 XL
30 / 25 Series:
255/35 ZR 19 XL
245/30 ZR 20 XL
245/35 ZR 20 XL
255/30 ZR 20 XL R01
255/35 ZR 21 XL
265/30 ZR 21 XL
315/25 ZR 23 XL
Available sizes for rear axle tyres:
35/30 Series:
25 Series:
255/35 ZR 18 Y XL MO
295/25 ZR 20 XL
255/30 ZR 19 XL MO
305/25 ZR 20 XL
265/30 ZR 19 XL
325/25 ZR 20 XL
275/30 ZR 19 XL
285/30 ZR 19 XL MO
295/30 ZR 21 XL
ContiSportContact 5
50 Series:
45 Series:
205/50 R 17 W XL
205/45 R 17 W XL
215/50 R 17 W XL
215/45 R 17 W / W XL
225/50 R 17 Y XL
225/45 R 18 Y XL
235/45 R 18 Y XL
SUV Series:
235/55 R 18 V
255/50 R 19 Y XL
275/45 R 19 Y XL
275/40 R 20 Y XL
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275/45 R 20 Y XL
ContiForceContact:
35 Series:
30 Series:
235/35 ZR 19 XL
265/30 ZR 19 XL
245/35 ZR 19 XL
305/30 ZR 19 XL
325/30 ZR 19 XL
Continental Corporation
With sales of €30.5 billion in 2011, Continental is among the leading automotive suppliers worldwide.
As a supplier of brake systems, systems and components for powertrains and chassis,
instrumentation, infotainment solutions, vehicle electronics, tires and technical elastomer products,
Continental contributes to enhanced driving safety and global climate protection. Continental is also an
expert partner in networked automobile communication. Continental currently has approximately
164,000 employees in 46 countries.
www.continental-corporation.com
Tire Division
Effective August 1, 2011 the business of Passenger and Light Truck Tires, Truck Tires, Bus Tires and
Industrial Tires, as well as the Two-Wheel Tire activities have been organised into one Tire Division. As
one of the world’s leading tire manufacturers, with more than 41,000 employees, the division achieved
cumulative sales of more than €8.8 billion in 2011. Today, the Tire division has 22 production and
development locations worldwide. The broad product range and continuous investments in R&D make a
major contribution to cost-effective and ecologically efficient mobility.
Passenger and Light Truck Tires
Continental is one of Europe’s leading passenger and light truck tire manufacturers and is the world’s
fourth largest passenger and light truck tire manufacturer in the original equipment and replacement
business sectors. Product development for the Continental premium brand focuses on optimizing all
safety-related features while at the same time minimizing rolling resistance.
www.continental-reifen.de
Commercial Vehicle Tires
The Commercial Vehicle Tire business unit had sales of more than €1.8 billion in 2011, making it one
of the largest manufacturers of truck, bus and industrial tires worldwide.
www.continental-truck-tires.com
Sponsorship
Continental’s Tire Division is an Official Sponsor of the German DFB Cup, the UEFA EURO 2012 TM in
Poland and the Ukraine, and the 2014 FIFA World CupTM in Brazil.
www.ContiSoccerWorld.de
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Contact:
Alexander Bahlmann
Head of PR, Passenger/Light Truck Tires
Continental AG
Tire Division
Büttnerstraße 25, 30165 Hanover, Germany
Ph.:
+49 (0) 511 938 2615
Fax:
+49 (0) 511 938 2455
alexander.bahlmann@conti.de
www.continental-reifen.de
Klaus Engelhart
Press Spokesman
Passenger and Light Truck/Two-Wheel Tires
Germany / Austria / Switzerland:
Continental AG
Tire Division
Büttnerstraße 25, 30165 Hanover, Germany
Ph.:
+49 (0) 511 938 2285
Fax:
+49 (0) 511 938 2455
klaus.engelhart@conti.de
Media Database
www.mediacenter.continental-corporation.com
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