Testing Winter Tyres
How we make sure your winter tyres keep you safe — no matter the weather
Choosing the right winter tyres can feel overwhelming — there are so many brands, tread designs, and performance promises out there. And because your tyres are the only thing connecting your vehicle to the road, especially when winter hits hard, you want to be confident in your choice.
That’s why rigorous testing matters. Before a tyre ever reaches the hands of an independent tester or finds its way onto your vehicle, our engineers put it through a long, demanding journey of research, development, and real-world winter testing — from wet German test tracks to frozen roads inside the Arctic Circle.
Here’s a closer look at how Continental winter tyres earn their reputation for safety and performance.
From Idea to Icy Road: Research & Development
Before we ever build a prototype, our teams spend countless hours designing, simulating, and refining new tyre technology. This includes:
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Testing rubber compounds and reinforcements
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Designing and modeling new tread patterns
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Running advanced digital performance simulations
These simulations can already show how a tyre handles acceleration and braking on snow and ice — long before the first prototype touches a road. Once the digital tests look promising, we move into real-world testing with physical tyres.
Real-World Tyre Testing
Where safety meets science
Winter tyre testing is all about ensuring confidence — whether you’re facing slush, black ice, or deep snow after a storm. We evaluate every tyre on multiple surfaces and with strict performance criteria, including:
✅ Wet Road Testing
Wet roads are tricky — stopping distances increase, and traction decreases. So we test:
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Braking on irrigated tracks
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Aquaplaning in water basins
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Cornering on soaked surfaces
Our goal? Shorter braking distances and maximum grip, even in heavy rain or thawing snow.
✅ Snow Testing
On snow, traction and control are everything. We measure:
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Grip during acceleration
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Cornering control
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Braking performance on packed snow
This ensures your tyres help you feel in control, not at the mercy of the weather.
✅ Ice Testing
Ice is winter’s biggest challenge. We test on artificially iced tracks using precision sensors to evaluate:
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Traction at low speeds
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Braking distance
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Vehicle stability and deviation
No guesswork — just accurate data to ensure you stay safe on frozen roads.
Where We Test: From Germany to the Arctic
Our winter testing facilities span diverse environments:
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Contidrom, Germany — Our legendary test track since 1967
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Arvidsjaur, Lapland (Arctic Circle) — With temperatures dropping to -30°C
This extreme range ensures our tyres perform everywhere winter can take you — from frosty morning commutes to alpine mountain passes.
Independent Test Results: Proven Performance
We’re proud of our internal testing, but external results matter too. And we’re happy to say that 78% of Continental tyres receive the highest rating in independent tyre tests.
⭐ WinterContact™ TS 860
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Test winner in Auto Bild’s Winter Tyre Super Test (2019)
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Exceptional traction on wet, snowy, and icy roads
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91% customer recommendation rate
⭐ WinterContact™ TS 850 P
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Rated “very good” by Sportauto (2020)
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Designed for mid-size and luxury vehicles & SUVs
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Strong braking and balanced performance in snow & on ice
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100% customer recommendation rate
Winter Performance You Can Trust
Your tyres are your first line of defence in winter weather — and every stage of our testing process is built to safeguard your confidence and safety. From the first simulation to icy field tests, we ensure every winter tyre is ready for the toughest conditions.
Because when temperatures drop and roads get unpredictable, you deserve total peace of mind.