It's not often a new tyre is launched with not one, but two first place awards in magazine group tests, but that's exactly what has happened with the new Continental Premium Contact 5.
With the new tyre labelling laws coming into effect this year, tyre manufacturers have a real set of goals to aim for. A tyres wet grip, rolling resistance and noise levels will be displayed on every tyre sold, and could be the difference been a sale or not.
While certain manufacturers with limited resources might concentrate on the 3 label criteria, premium manufacturers like Continental have to design their tyres to excel in every category. The new Continental Premium Contact 5 does just that, by not only improving in the 3 label criteria, but also many other areas tested when compared to the Continental Premium Contact 2 (there was no Premium Contact 3 or 4!)
Designed for small to medium sized vehicles, the Premium Contact 5 excels in wet braking and rolling resistance when compared to it’s predecessor, stopping 15% shorter and using 8% less fuel. To achieve this target the Premium Contact 5 utilises a number of new manufacturing techniques in the tread pattern and sidewall section of the tyre.
The Tread
While many people believe the tread pattern influences grip, it’s main purpose is to evacuate water in wet conditions. To do this, tyre manufacturers cut grooves in the tread, which increase rolling resistance and noise. Continental have minimised these losses, using several clever technologies described below.
The Sidewall
The sidewall of a tyre influences many aspects of a tyres performance, from how it feels on the road, the comfort of the tyre, how much road rumble is transmitted to the cabin and the fuel used. The compromise between steering feel and comfort is a difficult one to balance, but to help balance this Continental heavily worked on the belt edge and the shoulder area to significantly lower rolling resistance. Continental also managed to make the sidewall more flexible than before to increase comfort, but reinforced the bead area to maintain handling accuracy.
Available in 14†to 17†sizes, the Continental Premium Contact 5 is on sale now, and judging by the initial test results, it's going to be the tyre to beat in summer 2012.
I just bought a 195/65R15 Continental Premium Contact 5. According to the pictures of the same model type of tire, it has 4 grooves. But my new tires are only 3 grooves and there is no indication where it is made.
Is it made in China or somewhere around there?
Narrower versions of the same tyre often have less grooves, and it's likely the pictured tyre is 205 wide.
The tyre should say where it was made, but it can be small and hard to find, and sometimes only on one side of the tyre, so check both sides!
We've not heard from Chinese copies being an issue in the UK
excellent tyre .... and most importantly its a noiseless tyre as compare to Xm2....
Outstanding road grip.... i had Xm2 for 2 weeks and its noisy and feel to hard,,,,,
Does exist 235/55/r 17?
Which tyre is better this or the Michelin primacy 3?
They're both new generation tyres, so it's more difficult than the ER300 question below.
Looking at the magazine group tests it looks like the CPC5 is the better tyre, however they don't usually account for wear which is where the primacy 3 scores very well.
You can't really go wrong with either of the tyres.
This tire is better then the Bridgestone ER300?
The ER300 is a last generation tyre (Which has been replaced by the T001) and the Continental has beaten the latest Bridgestone in group tests, so it's safe to assume this is a better tyre than the ER300.
CONTINENTAL PREMIUM CONTACT 5
It may well be an excellent tyre (I hope it is, 'cos I have ordered them) but finding them and buying them is hard work. Most tyre depots have none. Most suppiers will not accept orders for these Continental Premium Contact 5 tyres. It is a real pain! Be warned.
Where in the world are you? There's good supply of the PC5 here in the UK!
I have a 2000 Celica and wondering what tyres to put on for the winter, lot of motorway driving with some secondary road stuff. anyone out there with some advice ?
I have had some experience with Uniroyal 180s in the wet (class act) dont make them anymore I think
Great, but cost a fortune and according to the ADAC tests have poor wear! I've been caught out with the Goodyear 'Excellence' in this way... terrible wear, and I drive at 56mph on the motorway, corner and brake gently to get Avg of 58MPG out of my 7 year old Avensis D4D