The same Celicas with DW tires were also used on the 1.4-mile infield road course, where we were given about 15 minutes to set our fastest laps. The cars were pretty slow, so momentum was crucial. This meant maintaining high cornering speed and required good traction.
To be honest, we didn't expect the tires to last. We imagined they'd overheat after several laps and times would suffer. Much to our surprise, the tires withstood the abuse and remained consistent throughout the session. This was an amazing testament to the DW's ability, proving they'd be more than capable for fast road driving and even track days.
Next up were two autocross courses using BMW 328i on DW and Mazda 3 on DWS tires. Once again, the lack of performance from the Mazda meant momentum was crucial and the DWS allowed us to take incredible liberties with the cars. We had the opportunity to compare the DWS to a more expensive premium brand and the Contis gave nothing away.
Using a slightly faster track, we compared the DW-shod Contis to another premium competitor and again there was nothing between them. If anything, the DW tires turned-in better thanks to the chamfered edges, and were very predictable on the limit of adhesion.
To further highlight the talents of the Extreme tires, we were invited to sample them on a wet autocross and braking area. However, the watering system was inconsistent so didn't allow an accurate comparison with competitor brands. Yet the Conti Extreme product was as exemplary in the wet as its reputation demands. Turn-in was again sharp and ultimate grip was surprisingly high in the slick conditions, even generating 0.9g braking - something many tires struggle to achieve in the dry!
Very impressed with our findings, we'll definitely be fitting DW tires to some of our project cars (we don't need the snow ability of the DWS in SoCal) and are confident they'll perform under all conditions. The ExtremeContact range will be positioned and priced slightly lower than the flapgship ContiSportContact line, offering motorists another tier of product to suit their requirements and budget. For more info visit Conti's website at www.continentaltire.com