Conti collaborates with race drivers for new tire

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (Oct. 13, 2016) — Continental Tire the Americas L.L.C. called upon five professional race drivers to offer input in the design of its latest UHP tire, the ExtremeContact Sport.

The new line is the successor to the ExtremeContact DW — on the market since 2009 — and targets car enthusiasts who demand extreme grip in dry and wet conditions, the tire maker said.

“We chose five of the best sports car drivers in the world to help deliver the performance driving enthusiasts demand in a tire. These drivers pushed our tires to the limits to help develop a tire that includes superb dry handling while not sacrificing any of Continental's award-winning performance in the wet,” said Travis Roffler, Conti's director of marketing.

“This summer tire is ideal for sports cars and sport and luxury vehicles.”

The champion drivers, who all have participated in the International Motor Sports Association's (IMSA) top series, the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, are:

• Andy Lally, a three-time IMSA champion and five-time Rolex 24 Hour winner;

• Joao Barbosa, reigning IMSA champion;

• Lawson Aschenbach, Continental Tire Sports Car Series champion and two-time World Challenge champion;

• Ozz Negri, Rolex 24 Hour winner; and

• Ryan Dalziel, 24 Hour of Le Mans winner, Rolex 24 Hour winner and World Endurance Championship class champion.

These drivers will appear in point-of-sale materials promoting the new tire, Mr. Roffler said.

“It was great to see the dedication and passion all the drivers had for this project,” said Bob Liu, product manager performance tires for Continental. “For the engineers to be able to ride with the drivers and experience what they were reporting was invaluable.

“The level of detail each driver gave was extraordinary and we think the combined expertise of the driver's knowledge and our technologies will give car enthusiasts the precision and grip they expect in a UHP tire.”

The tire underwent three years of development, with the drivers providing track testing and input during the course of a year.

Conti engineers said the drivers provided valuable feedback on the handling characteristics and desired performance for different test tires.

The end result is a tire with enhanced dry handling and wet performance and improved tread life compared with its predecessor — and with driving capabilities “beyond what most people would put it through,” Mr. Roffler said. “It's a very balanced UHP summer tire.”

The new tire features Conti's SportPlus Technology to improve upon the capabilities of the ExtremeContact DW, which was launched in 2009, Conti said. The new tire's tread has Continental's Tuned Performance Indicators — wear indicators in the shape of a “D” for dry and “W” for wet performance. As the letters wear off, the driver can see when it is time to replace the tire.

The tire carries Conti's Total Confidence Plan — a 60-day customer satisfaction trial (or 2/32nds inch of treadwear); a 12-month road hazard coverage (or first 2/32nds inch); a 72-month manufacturer's limited warranty; a 30,000-mile limited mileage warranty; and three-year flat tire roadside assistance (or towing up to 150 miles).

Conti said the tire offers fitments for premium sports, luxury sports, muscle and sports cars and roadsters. The tire performs best in climates above 45 degrees, according to Conti. Customers otherwise are encouraged to change out the UHP tire for winter tires during colder seasons.

The ExtremeContact Sport will be available in February in 71 sizes, including 17 new sizes, ranging from 15- to 20-inch wheel diameters with a W and Y speed rating.

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To reach this reporter: kmccarro[email protected]; 330-865-6127; Twitter: @kmccarr