LAS VEGAS (Nov. 5, 2008) -– Continental Tire North America Inc. (CTNA) is rolling out an ultra-high-performance (UHP) tire line under the ExtremeContact moniker designed specifically for North American consumers that features three iterations: summer, all season and winter.
The new aftermarket-only line, set to launch in the second quarter next year, eventually will replace non-OE sizes of the Conti SportContact line, according to Andreas Gerstenberger, executive vice president, sales and marketing for CTNA.
The three products within the ExtremeContact line are:
DW – a tire for “serious performance” in both dry and wet conditions, Conti said, hence the DW designation.
DWS – a “fine tuned” all season UHP tire designed for performance in dry, wet and snow, featuring an asymmetrical tread pattern.
ExtremeWinterContact – a tire that builds on Conti's heritage of “innovative” winter tire technology.
The DW and DWS versions have the letters DW and DWS engraved into ribs in the tread pattern as wear indicators.
All three of the lines come with a 30- or 60-day customer satisfaction ride guarantee, a 72-month manufacturer's workmanship limited warranty (with free replacement up to 12 months) and road hazard coverage for 12 months.
In addition CTNA is offering a 50,000-mile treadlife guarantee on the DW.
The ExtremeContact DW will be available in 88 sizes in 16- to 21-inch rim diameters; the all season DWS will launch with 89 sizes in 16- to 24-inch rim diameters; and the WinterContact will have 52 sizes in 13- to 17-inch rim diamers, including some light truck fitments.
Conti did not disclose pricing at this time.
The tires initially will be made at the firm's European factories, Mr. Gerstenberger said, but the company plans to phase them into its U.S., Mexican and Brazilian plants as the line ramps up.