Continental, the premium German tire brand, has become the first manufacturer to develop a full range of tires specifically for the Middle East market. Officially launched in the region in December, Continental’s new Generation 6 range of products offers car owners a selection of robust tires designed to cope with the unique road conditions found across the region. The Generation 6 range comprises three distinct product lines: ComfortContact 6 for smaller cars and city driving, UltraContact 6 for larger sedans and MaxContact 6 for high performance vehicles. The new range will go on sale across the Middle East early in 2018, combining advanced German technology and all-round automotive know-how with local expertise to deliver unmatched levels of comfort and robustness, as well as first-class handling and braking abilities, ensuring one of the safest ranges of tires on the market in line with the brand’s Vision Zero goal of eliminating fatalities, injuries and accidents on the roads. The robust design of the new Generation 6 range provides high resistance to damage from hazards such as potholes, debris and kerb impacts, helping to prolong the tire’s life. All products feature the latest technological advances for enhanced grip, handling and braking, and quieter and more comfortable rides. Continental has invested significant resources to ensure that the region’s car owners can now enjoy the benefits of the company’s expertise. Upon opening its Middle East office in 2014, the brand commenced a detailed program of research into the market. This was followed by a two-year development and production phase, which has resulted in the creation of 60 different tire sizes across the three lines. Like all of Continental’s tires, the new Generation 6 tire range was put through an extensive testing process including a series of tests in Middle East, the tires’ target markets. In addition, the new tire range was also tested at Continental’s fully-automated tire-testing in-house facility in Hannover, the only such facility owned by a tire manufacturer in the world. The facility employs over 800 employees at the company’s Research and Development (R&D) and Testing divisions in Germany. Testing and evaluating over 250,000 tires every year, under all conditions, the company covers more than 160,000,000 km in endurance and high speed tests and evaluates more than 250,000 materials. The new tire range was launched in December at a special driving event at the Dubai Autodrome, attended by some 110 Continental importers, retailers and distributors. José Luis de La Fuente, Continental Middle East's managing director, said: “The Middle East is a key market for Continental – our products very much lend themselves to the climatic and driving conditions encountered across the region. But we wanted to take our offering to the next level and provide our customers an even higher quality choice of tires, so developing a range bespoke to the region was the natural next step.” One of the top three automotive suppliers worldwide, Continental develops pioneering technologies and services for the sustainable and connected mobility of people and their goods. It offers safe, efficient, intelligent and affordable transport solutions, including brake systems, systems and components for powertrains and chassis, infotainment solutions, vehicle electronics and tires. As a leading global tire manufacturer, Continental’s tire division generated sales of €10.7 billion in 2016 and has over 24 production and development locations worldwide. Continental’s new Generation 6 range ComfortContact 6 The ComfortContact 6 has been designed for owners of smaller cars who use them for the daily commute and who expect a premium tire that offers good mileage and a quiet, safe ride. This new tyre displays exceptional qualities when it comes to dry handling and ride comfort. It also delivers low noise levels, optimized rolling resistance and higher mileage. The impact of road noise is lessened by two new features. ‘Harmonic comfort chambers’ located on the inner shoulder of the tire pattern reduce noise harshness and direct noise emissions away from the car’s occupants, while specially designed round-shaped groove elements further break up the noise waves to reduce sound levels. The polymers of the tire compound are combined with a strong, durable sulfur network and feature special softeners that adapt better to the roughness of the road surface, which combine to deliver both a more comfortable ride and higher mileage. UltraContact 6 A balanced tire for everyday driving, especially on highways, the UltraContact 6 targets owners of mid-size saloon cars, from the Nissan Altima up to the BMW 5 and Jaguar XF, who are seeking an ideal combination of driving comfort, safety and performance. It delivers extremely short braking distances in dry and wet conditions, a high grip level for braking and cornering, and the perfect combination of good mileage and low noise. The chamfered angle of the UltraContact 6’s Diamond Edge tread pattern helps reduce tread flex and maximize road contact when braking. An advanced Diamond Blend Compound features a combination of short-chained grip-polymers for advanced braking and handling, and long-chained mileage-polymers for reduced wear. The introduction of Noise Breakers 2.0, an enhanced version of the existing Noise Breaker concept, cuts noise waves within the tire grooves for a quieter trip. MaxContact 6 With the MaxContact 6, Continental’s experts have developed a high performance tire to satisfy the demands of experienced drivers seeking the thrill of driving, even in everyday commuting, in models such as Ford Mustang, BMW 5 series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class and E-Class. They expect a performance-driven tire that excels in braking and handling in dry and wet conditions with strong grip and direct feedback from the road. The extreme high grip requirements are met by a specifically designed Adaptive Grip Compound, which incorporates special adhesive polymers within the tire’s compound, while six functional elements in the Multifunctional Tread optimize braking distances, handling and grip. A newly designed, adaptive Xtreme-Force ply material is made of polyester and woven into a solid fabric structure that reduces flexing during hard cornering and at high speeds to provide maximum control and better handling, while at lower speeds it retains its flexibility for a comfortable ride. — SG