MONTREAL—Continental Tire the Americas has developed a directional winter tire, the VikingContact7, that it claims offers a balance of flexibility for slippery road conditions and stiffness for longer life.
The tire, being demonstrated for the media and dealers this week at Montreal's Circuit ICAR, carries the industry's three-peak/mountain snowflake designation and will be available in 15- to 20-inch rim diameter sizes with T and H speed ratings.
The Nordic tread compound comprised of active silica for providing grip in the wet and a rapeseed oil additive that keeps the tread compound flexible in extreme cold conditions, Conti said.
The tread design features a groove network that reduces hydroplaning on wet slushy roads and interlocking block bridges to provide improved tracking and stability on snow.
Multiple 3D sipes provides added traction and braking ability on snow or ice, Conti said.
The VikingContact7 joins a lineup of seven other Continental-branded winter tires available in North America, including: WinterContact SI; ExtremeWinterContact; and WinterContact TS830, TS830P, TS810 and TS810 S.
Conti also offers three General Tire-branded winter tires: Altimax Arctic 12 and Grabber Arctic and Arctic LT.