Continental tyres have just released their latest tyre, the new Continental PremiumContact 6. The new PremiumContact 6 replaces both the PremiumContact 5 and the SportContact 5, unifying the comfort and efficiency of the PremiumContact range, with the high performance, steering precision and grip of the SportContact.
The Continental SportContact 6 still exists for maximum performance in 19" and above, and the EcoContact 5 in 16" and below. The PremiumContact 6 will be available in 16" - 21", and offer a blend of performance and comfort to rival the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 and Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3.
Opposing Requirements
With the merging of the Premium and Sport lines of tyres, the engineers had to combine opposing qualities, known as target conflicts. Wet braking, rolling resistance and dry handling all require different performance qualities from the tyre, which Continental solved with a number of interesting solutions. The new innovations include a synthetic amorphous silica compound for short braking distances on wet roads, an abrasion-resistant polymer compound with a supple tread pattern to improve mileage by 15% and dropping noise by ten percent, and “advanced macro-block design” which employs long shoulder blocks that support one another, providing additional grip and steering precision for sporty handling.
The Drive
Technical presentations only tell the story in numbers. To directly experience the new tyre, Continental invited TyreReviews to the Circuit MonteBlanco in Southern Spain to test the new PremiumContact 6 against the outgoing SportContact 5 and PremiumContact 5 tyres. We tested using BMW 6 Series for steering speed and lane change stability testing, Mercedes E Classes for noise and comfort, and a collection of hot hatches just to see how the tyre performs at, and past the limit of grip.
Unsurprisingly, the new tyre excelled. On the BMWs the PremiumContact 6 was leagues ahead of the PremiumContact 5 in terms of outright grip, steering speed, car balance and manageability at the limit. More impressively, it was the better sports tyre when compared directly to the SportContact 5, offering a slightly quicker steering speed with a broadly similar balance and grip level. On the open road the PremiumContact 6 again excelled. Even with a tyre size disadvantage in the form of a bigger wheel and smaller sidewall (225/55 R17 vs 245/45 R18), the PremiumContact 6 crashed less over bumps, and had a lower pitch cavity noise to the PremiumContact 5 making it easier on the ears.
The final test of the day was using a VW Golf GTI, Renault Megane RS and Subaru Impreza STI. There was no comparison tyre available so we couldn’t learn anything specific, but the new PremiumContact took the abuse well, and offered a sharp and pleasing turn in and a god overall balance on all three cars.
Conclusion
Continental have pulled an impressive feat with the new PremiumContact 6 and combined two very opposing performance qualities.
The PremiumContact 6 genuinely offers all the sporty handling characteristics of the SportContact 5, while improving on the comfort, noise and efficiency of the PremiumContact 5. We're very keen to see how this tyre tests against its key rivals such as the new Michelin Pilot Sport 4 and Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 in 17" and 18" sizes, as from our first impressions it will be a very strong competitor!
The new PremiumContact 6 will be available in early 2017, with 70 sizes between 16 to 21 inches available for the 2017 summer tyre season. All sizes achieve an "A" score in the EU wet grip label.
Thanks so much for having a great resource. Upon your "recommendation" I bought the Conti6 for my Merc E320 and they have worn well on highway travel. Looking through the tests I cannot seem to find tests that are run on SUV tyres? I watched your review on the Goodyear 3 v 5 v Conti, whilst great on a Golf would the outcome be similar on a large vehicle? I need to buy some new summer tyres for a Merc R500 255/50r19 XL, would the Conti6 standup to the weight or do you think something else would suit more?
Generally the trends continue from car to SUV sizes. Michelin just released the PS4 SUV which looks very promising.
Thanks, will have a look further at the PS4. I appreciate your time!
how do these compare to michelin primacy 3? im just about to change the tyres on my mini and thinking of going for these instead
Have a look at the test data on the tyres page, there's been tests where this has been against Michelin tyres :)
I've seen the data. So I'll probably be best to go with the continental
I wouldn't pick a Prim 3 over a PC6. The Prim 4 or PS4 maybe depending on requirement.
I would like the primacy 4 but can't seem to find one the size I need 205/45/r17W I want them for a mini cooper s but sometimes find I lose grip with the primacy 3 and especially pulling away. I have had a slight remap done to the car so just want something that will suit me better but last longer than the primacy 3
I've just ordered the pilot sport 4. The price was similar but stuck with Michelin as I have them already. I'l change the back 2 over when I see what these are like on the front.
CPC 6 VS Micheli PS4 on size 205 55 r16 pls!
Whichever one you can find, they both seem difficult to get stock of at the moment!
Continental Premium Contact v Michelin Pilot Sport 4 for Audi A4 Avant Quattro in SW France?
The CPC6 and the PS4 are so close in performance now it will come down to availability and pricing in your market.
Is this better than the Michelin Primacy 4 ? Which one is more quieter and comfortable CPC6 or Primacy 4 ?
These haven't yet been tested in the same test!
Okay. But from the response or user feedbacks that you've might came across which one is better in terms of comfort and silence.
Or maybe from their dB ratings.
Was Tyre Reviews not at the launch of the new EcoContact 6 or wasn't there one?
There hasn't been one yet, I'm not sure if they'll be doing a full launch
@TyreReviews:disqus
Hi there., I want to buy PremiumContact 6 but i have a question.,
I have Mk7 VW Golf 1.6 TDI 110ps (MY 2016) with factory-mounted 17inch wheels and also factory-mounted SportContact 5 225/45/R17 (91Y)
As you know Y speed index means up to 300km but my car top speed is 215km., this car never has the capacity to go up to such high speeds. I don't understand why they are mounted much, much more high speed index tires.,
Anyway,
as you know there are 2 types speed index in this size If we talk about the PremiumContact 6., First one 91Y and other 91V
If i choose 91V instead of 91Y can we says that; the tyres are reach the optimal working temperature more quickly? I mean V speed index tires are reaches more quickly optimal working temperature than Y speed index..? is that true or not..?
Also, is there any difference between (V) and (Y) in terms of comfort? Could you please tell me, can we say that the V speed index tires are would be a little more comfortable driving and soft..?
Best regards..
Load rating is more a dictator of comfort, but realistically there can be very little or even nothing in it.
Regarding heating up, on a tyre like the PC6 it's not something I'd be concerned about on either speed rating.
I got it thanks., but if we talk about for other tire brands or if CPC6 is excluded from evaluation;
I mean V speed index tires are reaches more quickly "optimal working temperature" than Y speed index..? is that true or not..?
Regards..
I understand your assumption, but nothing is straight forward in terms of tyres. Sometimes the two speed ratings can be exactly the same tyre, which would negate your concern, and either way even if there was a difference, on a road tyre it would be largely immeasurable!
Oh no, not available in 205/55 for Golf 1.4.?....
Recommendations?
Try Michelin Sport Pilot 4. Found in 205/55/R16. Very happy with them.
It seems they don't make the PremiumContact 6 tyres to fit the rear wheels (265/35 R18) of my E220. They look a great tyre - should I put them on the front and fit an alternative to the rear (suggestions?) or forget about them and go for a different tyre all round (maybe the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3) ?
how about sidewall stiffnest (preferably 225/4how about sidewall stiffnest (preferably 225/45r17 or near) ?
I've not had chance to test this, sorry :(
Hi guys, i want buy new tires ... 215/60/R17 for my nissan qashqai - my question is - Continental premiumContact 5 or Continental premiumContact 6 ?
If both are available in your size, why wouldn't you buy the newer better version? :)
Breaking: CPC5 tested as a winner among 11 touring tyres 205/55 R16 in Autoexpress 2017 summer tyres test. Best in the dry & wet handling and wet breaking. Interesting will be reading about longevity in km, where previously many users complained...P.S. I believe the UK test will be soon mirrored also here...?
Correct, it will be mirrored in the next couple of days :)
So, ContiSportContact 6 or ContiPremiumContact 6? Thx.
That depends on size, vehicle, and desire
245/40/18 Audi A6
Assuming comfort is your main priority, the premium contact would be a better fit.
Thx
SportContact 5 MO or PremiumContact 6
225 40 18Y
Which would be the better choice for fronts on my Merc C220?
I guess there's no PC6 MO?
I would always take the newer tyre.
If it's a current OE size I'm sure Continental will be working towards a new OE.
There is only 225/40-18 XL available from what i can see at continentals site, but i guess that should match the heavy merc pretty well (ok maybe not 2400Kg + but still its no light nimble sports car at 1520Kg Kerb). And since this tyre is FAR over rated for a tourer like the Merc, I would not even think of going sport contact 6...and why You even considier 5? The c220 is about comfort not sport and with its 143bhp (or 125 or 170) its no race car. Go for comfort, maybe even below premc6 = less sport - more comfort.
I just fitted the PremC6 225/40-18 on my Civic Type R (and Yes i got an XL allthough the site did not say it was XL which made me slightly pissed as the R is damn stiff as it is already). Im pretty sure they will suffice since im not goin on the track at the moment (just dosed brake sharp max speed turn in every coner that is free from other cars to play for free on state tarmac :D).
Did You even listen to the video what they said about PC6 vs SC5? :D
Anyway: The MO branding about mercedes is just BS - its the same tyre (probably 100% except the added MO) just that they want to make Merc or BMW or whatver car maker feel like they got a special tyre :) If You can sense the diff on an MO and non MO with Your c220 - I will salute You ;)
As an ordinary owner, you're not going to sense any difference because how would you even get the opportunity to try out an M0 against a non-M0, especially seeing as you'd need to use the car for a week or more on each tyre to get any kind of idea? Even then, you might not notice any difference because you get used to a car's behaviour very gradually and adjust your driving to suit in very small increments. But that doesn't mean there's no difference. If your manufacturer endorses a particular tyre, then you're just going to buy that one.
I have just bought 225/45/17 tyres and i had never seen better than this tyres before i had used at many ranges tyres like michelin, conti (ex), lassa, pirelli, nokian etc.. This tyre is amazing and really surprized me with those specs handling, brake distance , stability, silence.. highly recommended by me to every one
Have they managed to improve the life/wear rate of theses tyres compared to the Sports Contact 5? My previous set of SC5's lasted 11000 miles of normal driving in an S60 D5, swapped them for Pilot Sports 4's which are much better all round than the Conti's and seem to be lasting longer
The spider diagram indicates 15% better wear when compared to the SC5
This is most likely because the new version 6 cannot beat version 5 in smaller sizes. As you probably know not all tests are equal for all tyre sizes. Just a speculation, but there isn't a better reason I can think of not to produce them for 16'' and below.
I would rather say it is simply because on 15' inches is minimal profit, so producer logically concentrates all the new model capacity for the segments with highest profits (UHP) from the launch on and lower sizes are suplied with old model which has already paid off all the research & development long time ago.
Conti Strategy hypothesis confirmed in February 2020, as from that date there are already in the retail market available the new CPC6 in a smaller size (195/65 R15) than originally announced (min. 16' 205/55) when launched.
Hi guys, i want buy new tires ... 235/45/R18 - my question is - Continental premiumContact 6 or Continental sportContact 5 ?
No question the Premium Contact 6, better tyre in nearly every way!
Thank you very much ☺️
Are you guys really putting this in the same category as the Pilot Sport 4? The SportContact 6 couldn't match the Michelin in most comparisons I've read, I don't see how this one would be any better...
The Sport Contact 6 hasn't been testing against the Pilot Sport 4, it's a rival to the Pilot Super Sport / Pilot Sport 4 S, and beat the Pilot Super Sport in a magazine test.
We'll reserve final judgement until the summer tests this April, but the two tyres should be very close.
So it's PremiumCompact 6 vs Pilot Sport 4 and SportContact 6 vs Pilot Sport 4S? You really need to come up with these two tests, then!
The latter is in the works! The former will most likely be done by magazines around March this year :)
So does this mean that people with some 16" sizes and below will only have the eco contact available, or will they continue the premium 5 in those sizes too? There will be some unhappy people if the premium contact disappear for smaller wheels!
I understand this was not yet presented but logically if they still now produce the old PremiumContact 2 and probably internally even fine tune like Premiumcontact 2E then I would not be worried about the test winner PC5 production continuation...
Correct. There's no official announcement of sizes, but you can be certain the CPC5 will still be produced in sizes the CPC6 isn't for a long while yet!
Thanks for this article.
P.S. The tyre sizes table doesn't match yet the text description for 2 tyres: 'EcoContact 5 in 16" and below. The PremiumContact 6 will be available in 16" - 21" '.
Very observant :) The table was generated by Continental and represents the core size range, 17-21 inches.
There will be a number of 16" sizes made.