What tyres are currently fitted to your car? Wait, don’t go out and check. Off the top of your head. Can you at least name the brand?
Don’t worry, because most motorists couldn’t. It’s a curious thing that we know so little about that, which is most responsible for keeping us safe when we’re driving. Of course, everywhere, it’s a different story. Car enthusiasts live and breathe tyres, and, yes, they have a favourite. Continental!
Here’s why. Simply put, their quality is unsurpassable. They come as standard on one in three European cars, including BMWs and they just keep taking out the top awards. Since 2007, out of 513 tests conducted in Europe, they have won an astounding 422. That’s a whopping 82%.
And now we can add another. The Continental PremiumContact 6 recently took the first place in the 2020 Wheels Tyre Test. We thought this would be a great opportunity to take a look at what the experts want to see when putting tyres Grays through their paces. Not only was Continental up against other top brands but it was fitted to a mid-sized SUV, one of the most popular car types on the road today. So the results are relevant to the real world.
About Continental Tyres
Germans are well known for building high-quality vehicles, and they also produce tyres that meet the highest standards of quality. With 150 years of experience, Continental Tyre is a German tyre company that makes more than simply tyres. In addition, they specialise in power trains, chassis components, brake systems, safety systems, and auto electronics. The organisational structure of the corporation, which comprises five primary business units – Power Train, Interior, Chassis and Safety, Tyres, and ContiTech – demonstrates their proficiency.
The Slalom Test
Rapid direction change is a very effective way to determine how well the tyre grips. In a matter of seconds (six, to be precise), the Continental PremiumContact was switched from full lateral load in either direction six times. In addition to grip, this test also evaluates the build quality of the tyre.
Out of ten competitors, the PremiumContact came in second, pipped at the post by another Continental tyre, the UltraContact UC6. Both were considered the best tyres by some margin.
Dry Braking Test
How quickly you stop after slamming on the brakes isn’t only down to your brakes and ABS. Tyres play a massive part. In this test, the PremiumContact pulled up more than five metres shorter than some of its competitors and did so with a better and more consistent feel.
Dry Cornering
The tyres are seriously put through their paces in this stage. With two 90-degree turns and one constant radius circle at 30 mph. It all comes down to tyre tenacity and understanding how well they can withstand repeated extremes.
You guessed it: PremiumContact took first place, with the test driver declaring that “even when you lean on the tyre, it never feels like it is going to let go.”
Wet Braking
One of the scariest situations for all drivers is finding themselves needing to slam on the brakes in the rain. This is where you notice the difference between a good quality tyre and its run-of-the-mill cousin. In the dry braking test, the gap between the best and the worst was 6.87 metres; in the wet, 12.4. That’s three SUVs, nose to tail.
But you should not fear if you are using PremiumContacts though they were less than a metre off matching their dry braking distance. Come hail or shine, they’ll pull you up in time.
Wet Cornering
Tyre compound and tread pattern are what count when cornering safely in the wet. The PremiumContact was one of the fastest tested, sticking like glue to the asphalt and doing everything expertly, offering the best feel for drivers.
Tyre Noise
Not a safety issue, but certainly a comfort one. In a vast country, long distances on tyres that produce a lot of white noise inside the cabin can make any trip short. If you want any chance of hearing the lyrics on Bob Dylan’s new album, then PremiumContact is what you’ll want. It is a fact that Continental’s engineers are able to create a tyre that grips better than any other while also maintaining quietness.
Consistency is the name of the game
A tyre that excels at one or two of the above categories isn’t worth much. Considering that these tyres were put through tests they’re likely to face at some stage in the real world, you need a tyre that is competent in all categories. That’s why the Continental PremiumContact 6 took out the overall winner, with a percentage of 99.3, nearly three per cent higher than the runner-up.
As the test driver noted, “The Continental felt like the best tyre by some margin. It did everything well and it is super consistent everywhere.”
Conclusion
Now you might have a clear understanding of why it is important to have good quality tyres fitted in your car. Continental Tyres Grays is one of the most popular car tyre brands, especially its renowned PremiumContact series. The Continental PremiumContact 6 is no doubt the ideal choice for people looking for excellent wet braking and quick direction change.
