From the noteworthy and made-of-rubber file comes the news that Continental has released its new ExtremeContact Sport summer performance tire. The successor to the ExtremeContact DW, the new tire is intended to be durable, daily drivable, high performing in dry conditions, and capable of delivering high levels of wet-weather grip and braking. But where the DW prioritized wet performance, street manners, and dry handling?in that order?the Sport moves dry handling to the top of the list while still shooting to improve across the rest of the spectrum.
To that end, the Sport?s sidewalls feature a new two-ply construction and a stiffening insert, which Continental says combine to deliver a big 86 percent increase in sidewall strength and?perhaps as important for a tire meant to be driven daily?only a 6 percent increase in ride stiffness. As you?d expect of a high-performance tire, the tread pattern is fairly minimal, incorporating large shoulder blocks and chamfered edges to prevent buckling and deliver precision and predictable feedback to the driver on the track and street. Tread life is said to be 20 percent greater versus the DW as well. The DW wear indicators from the, uh, DW return here (you can see them in the top photo). Basically, each tire is imprinted with a DW marking; the W wears first, signifying compromised wet traction. Next, the D will disappear, which means it?s high time for a new set. That shouldn?t break the bank, as the Sport in the 225/45-18 size...