Press Release
-1-
The new ContiSportContact 5 P - due in spring




Specifically designed for super sports cars and customised vehicles
Maximum grip thanks to innovative tread pattern concept
Short braking distances and safe handling for driving up to the limit
Front and rear axle version for more grip and improved handling
Hanover / Seville, March 2010. The new ContiSportContact 5 P will be available from this
spring and the developers in Hanover have designed this tyre to be fitted primarily to super
sports cars and luxury customised vehicles. Their success was clearly visible at the Frankfurt
Motor Show (IAA) last September, when some Mercedes AMG cars and the new Audi TT RS
already came fitted with the new sports tyre approved by the car manufacturers. This
demonstrated the potential of Continental's new product even before it was officially
launched. The tread pattern, substructure and compound for this tyre were developed
specifically to meet the ambitious expectations of vehicle manufacturers and customising
specialists.
Front and rear axle - the benefits of having different tread patterns
For vehicles with powerful engines and rear wheel drive, having different tyre sizes on the
axles provides substantial benefits in terms of accelerating, braking and handling. If the tyres
on the drive and steered axle have been specifically developed to efficiently transmit the
forces occurring, this can further enhance the vehicles' dynamic driving benefits.
The ContiSportContact 5 P was therefore developed to ensure optimum transmission of the
acceleration forces from the rear axle of these high performance cars. This involved
designing the tread pattern in such a way that the large ground contact patch ensured
maximum transmission of forces. Two rugged central ribs in the asymmetrical tread pattern
mean the rear axle tyres provide optimum grip. These tyres also ensure that no propulsion
power is lost, even during harsh acceleration. At the same time the lugged structure on the
tyre outer shoulder means good transmission of lateral forces. This particularly benefits direct
handling, as steering commands are implemented quickly and effectively. To reinforce this
effect, the tyre developers dispensed with one of the two central ribs on the front axle tyre to
make the lug structures for handling even wider. To achieve braking action which is as short
and appropriate as possible and to prevent the tread lugs in the tyre centre from caving in,
these are interlinked and supported by short ridges.
.../2
-2The designs of the front and rear axle tyres have been perfectly matched to complement
each other and their position on the respective axle, thereby ensuring sporty dynamic
performance as they have the flexibility to adapt to different road conditions.
Hybrid tread pattern design for maximum performance in grip and handling
For the new ContisportContact 5 P the tyre designers developed a tread pattern that was a
blend of the more usual lugged and ribbed options. This enabled them to combine the
advantages of both designs: lugged tread patterns mean excellent grip during cornering, as
the lugs are able to adapt well to the road surface, whilst ribbed tread patterns provide high
circumferential stiffness, making them perfect for short braking distances and direct steering
response during cornering. With its asymmetrical design, the hybrid tread pattern developed
for Continental's new super sports tyre ensures excellent handling for driving up to the limit,
plus short braking distances and fast execution of steering commands.
Angled lug edges for short braking distances
Short braking distances are not just an absolute must for powerful cars to ensure that they
can drive safely - they also enhance driving fun, since braking ahead of bends is effected
quickly and safely. It is for this reason that the tyre developers gave the new
ContiSportContact 5 P asymmetrical lug edges offset at 45o. The advantage of these is that
the edges of the individual lugs are not able to curl up under high pressure, so the contact
area is greater for the transmission of forces and braking distances are shorter as a result.
Precise handling - rugged central ribs and interlinked tread lugs
Precise handling and perfect steering response, even during fast cornering, when driving up
to the limit - these are two of the main requirements made on a tyre for super sports cars.
Consequently, the tread pattern design has to ensure that lateral forces are built up quickly
and safely - only then can a vehicle manoeuvre confidently at high speeds in bends. This is
why the ContiSportContact 5 P has sturdy tread ribs, where the individual lugs are
interlinked, thereby achieving a stiff tread for maximum transmission of lateral forces so that
steering commands are carried out quickly and safely, even at high speeds.
.../3
-3Short braking distances on wet roads - small tread lugs with many lateral edges
Drivers of sports cars demand safe driving characteristics on wet roads even from a hightech tyre for super sports vehicles. Continental has therefore given its latest highperformance tyre a multiplicity of smaller tread lugs in the central and side tread sections, to
create large numbers of lateral edges on the tyre surface. These lateral edges function like a
windscreen wiper, cutting through the film of water on the road, so that the water under the
tread lugs can be quickly dispersed.
High grip, low rolling resistance - the benefits of separating cap and base
In order to reduce rolling resistance, the engineers at Continental developed the different
construction elements in the tyre yet further. The tread compound has the greatest influence
on 'grip' and 'rolling resistance' - two tyre characteristics which actually conflict with one
another. The upper tread section, called the cap, is designed in such a way that it ensures
maximum grip for fast, safe transmission of braking and steering commands, as well as for
high acceleration. The compound below this - referred to as the base - is now formed to
cause as little rolling resistance as possible. By combining the two elements the developers
managed to achieve low rolling resistance without having to sacrifice the driving performance
of sports tyres.
Greater safety thanks to the wet indicator
Tyres can only perform a number of tasks safely if their tread is not worn below a certain
depth. One of these tasks is providing grip for safe braking and setting off on wet roads;
however, ensuring maximum protection from the dreaded occurrence of aquaplaning is the
prime requirement. This is why, alongside the German Association of the Tyre and
Vulcanising Trade (BRV), Continental strongly recommends fitting new summer tyres once
the tread depth on the existing ones goes below 3 millimetres. Only if the channels between
the tread lugs and grooves are sufficiently deep can water be dispersed swiftly from the
ground contact patch, ensuring safe driving on wet roads.
In order to make this wear limit clearly visible, the new ContiSportContact 5 P features a
Summer TWI (Tread Wear Indicator), as do all the other new summer tyres made by
Europe's leading tyre manufacturer. The TWI consists of a 3 mm high ridge between the
tread lugs and its position is marked on the tyre sidewall by two raindrops and a 'X' below
.../4
-4them. If the ridge is level with the surrounding tread lugs, then the tread has been worn down
to the 3 millimetre level. The tyre should then be replaced by a new tyre - for the driver's own
safety and that of all other road users.
Size range for the front axle / as an all-round tyre fitment:
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
Serie 30 / 25:
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
Size range for the rear axle:
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
With sales of approximately €20 billion in 2009 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 elastomers, Continental
contributes enhanced driving safety and global climate protection. Continental is also a competent
partner in networked automobile communication. Continental currently employs approximately
134,500 in 46 countries.
The Passenger and Light Truck Tires division develops and manufactures passenger and light truck
tires for compact, medium-size and full-size cars as well as tires for 4x4, vans and light trucks. The
division produces tires under the brand names of “Continental”, “Uniroyal” (except in the NAFTA
region, Columbia and Peru), “Semperit”, “Barum”, “General Tire”, “Euzkadi”, “Viking”, “Gislaved”,
“Mabor”, “Matador”, “SIME Tyres” and, in Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei, “Dunlop”. The Passenger
and Light Truck Tires division also includes the two-wheel business (motorcycle and bicycle) and the
retail tire companies with more than 2,200 specialty tire outlets and franchises in 13 countries.
.../5
-5Contacts:
Alexander Lührs
Head of Public Relations
Passenger and Light Truck Tires Division
Continental AG I Rubber Group
Klaus Engelhart
Press Officer
Passenger and Light Truck Tires Division
Continental AG I Rubber Group
Continental Reifen Deutschland GmbH
Büttnerstraße 25
30165 Hannover
Phone: +49 (0) 511 938 2615
Fax: +49 (0) 511 938 2455
Email: alexander.luehrs@conti.de
Continental Reifen Deutschland GmbH
Büttnerstraße 25
30165 Hannover
Phone: +49 (0) 511 938 2285
Fax:
+49 (0) 511 938 2455
Email: klaus.engelhart@conti.de
Media database at www.mediacenter.continental-corporation.com