Press release

Semperit winter tyres for cars

Dedicated winter tyres - alpine proven

Hanover / Essen, June 2010. Semperit winter tyres offer superior driving characteristics for the cold season at an attractive price/performance ratio. With the Master-Grip for compact cars and Speed-Grip for fast and sporty vehicles safe mobility is assured, even in adverse weather conditions.

Semperit Master-Grip - top winter performance for compact cars

With a choice of 36 sizes for 13", 14" and 15" rims, the Master-Grip, which is available in aspect ratios from 80 to 55 per cent - from the 135/80 R 13 T to the 175/55 R 15 T - largely covers the tyre requirements for compact cars on the European market. Approved for speeds of up to 190 km/h (118 mph), this winter tyre provides excellent traction, whatever the model size, combining this with high grip in snow and ice, as well as on dry roads. Even wear on the tyre means a pleasantly high mileage performance.

In the most recent winter tyre test run by the German motoring organisation ADAC in October 2009, the Master-Grip achieved the rating 'recommended'. According to the testers it displayed balanced driving characteristics on wet and dry roads. The tyre's enhanced tread stiffness means even wear and consequently high mileage performance. The rubber compound used in the Master-Grip contains anti-frost polymers for sustained tread suppleness and thus consistently high grip in snow and ice. The arrow-shaped tread pattern design with its three circumferential grooves is able to pick up large quantities of water; in conjunction with the lateral grooves, this ensures effective aquaplaning protection. The network sipes in the tread lugs can be easily identified - the numerous gripping edges they provide interlock extremely efficiently with the road surface, even if this is slippery. In this way the Master-Grip guarantees good traction.

Semperit Speed-Grip - positive performance in snow and ice for upper medium range and luxury cars

The Speed-Grip is Semperit's winter tyre solution for fast and sporty cars. Available in a total of 49 sizes for 15" to 18" rims, this dedicated winter tyre is approved for speeds of 190 km/h (118 mph), 210 km/h (131 mph) and 240 km/h (150 mph), depending on the version. The size range of the Speed-Grip goes from the 175/65 R 15 T to the 225/40 R 18 V. 'Good in snow' was the ADAC's verdict in the most recent winter tyre test (October 2009) and gave it the rating 'recommended'.

The Speed-Grip delivers very balanced driving characteristics on both wet and dry roads. Two wide circumferential grooves and numerous lateral channels provide rapid water pick-up and discharge, thereby ensuring protection from aquaplaning. The special network sipe technology on this tyre means good traction and lateral guidance on snow- and ice-covered roads, whilst the highly supple tread enables the many gripping edges to interlock reliably with slippery road surfaces.

The directionally-orientated tread pattern on the Speed-Grip also gives a convincing performance on dry roads. The tyre developers achieved positive handling characteristics by enhancing the stability of the tread lugs in the shoulder section, where the network sipes are encased in supporting walls. Low rolling resistance and low rolling noise are further benefits of the Speed-Grip.

Semperit is a tyre brand of Continental AG. With sales of approximately €20 billion in 2009 Continental is among the leading automotive suppliers worldwide. As a supplier of brake systems, systems and components for powertrains and chassis, instrumentation, infotainment solutions, vehicle electronics, tires and technical elastomers, Continental contributes enhanced driving safety and global climate protection. Continental is also a competent partner in networked automobile communication. Continental currently employs approximately 138,000 in 46 countries.

Continental is the European market leader for passenger and light truck tires. More than 30 per cent of all new European cars leave the factory fitted with Continental tires. The tire divisions are an official sponsor of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™. For further details, please go to

Alexander LührsKlaus Engelhart

Head of Public Relations PLT-Tyres Press Officer

Continental AGContinental AG

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D-30165 Hannover, GermanyD-30165 Hannover, Germany

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