The Continental MAXContact MC6 has been officially launched, and naturally it replaces the MC5 which has been a widely used product as a replacement tyre and OE fitting. The most important advancements given to the new MC6 are reduced braking distance on dry and wet roads, superior handling, and better mileage.
The other improvement added is that the MC6 now has a sportier positioning compared to the old MC5. This was demonstrated during the launch event/tyre test earlier today held at Sepang where the product was fitted to the Mercedes GLA and the more athletic BMW 330e and Mercedes C Class.
The MC6 is yet another Generation 6 product from the German tyre manufacturer after last year’s UC6 and CC6. The MC6 is made in Alor Setar, Malaysia, and by early next year should be available in the full range of planned sizes of between 16 inch and 20 inch (the latter is imported from Europe). But most sizes are already available at retailers or tyre garages.
Product highlights of the Continental MAXContact MC6:
Multifunctional Tread Design: enhances grip and handling while reducing braking distances in wet and dry conditions. Its pattern enables maximum grip where safety count, and cornering speed. It also helps to give maximum stability and shorter braking distances.
Adaptive Grip Compound: enables superior grip levels that interlock with the road’s surface. The compound is claimed to work into the road surface at nanometer scale.
Xtreme Force Construction: during hard cornering and high speed driving, the stiffness of the Xtreme-Force ply material reduces tyre flexing and provides maximum control and better handling. At lower speed the adaptive ply material retains flexibility for a more comfortable ride.
Short tyre test: first impressions
Hardly a surprise that competitor tyres are used as benchmark during the MC6 development, but the MC5 was also a base to work with. For that, we can say for certain that the new MC6 is decidedly better during braking on a wet surface.
The wet braking test of the new tyre was done against the MC5, which clearly revealed - i guesstimate here - a shorter required braking distance by at least a metre. May not sound like much but in an emergency situation it could be the difference between safety or collision. Or worse, life and death.
Other tyre test exercises included a slalom course and laps around Sepang’s south track. For this we were equipped with Mercedes GLAs, not quite the machinery suitable for this type of work but the MC6 was up to the task. Again, it would be better if there was more time for a proper test, but the signs are good. And if there’s just one quality that impressed me most, it would be wet braking. The MC6 is just a clear step up from the MC5.
Price
Continental tyre was cryptic when it came to this. Their reasoning is that they (Continental) does not set a price for the dealers/retailer, thus prices will vary at the different shops or outlets. For now, we’ll have to take their word for it. Personally, I see a price increase for the simple excuse that that’s one reason why new products are introduced in the first place. [* We've received word that tyre companies cannot set prices as this is against the Competition Act.]