Continental Supplies Tyres for Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

·       Further approval for new ContiSportContact 5 P

·       Tyres deliver best combination of sportiness and safe handling

·       Worldwide cooperation between Mercedes-AMG Driving Academy and Continental

Hanover, 10 June 2010.  The new ContiSportContact 5 P, part of the portfolio of high­-tech tyres for sports cars and super sports cars since spring, has now also been approved by Mercedes-AMG. The tyre offers more than just the grip and handling performance that sports car drivers need. It also stands out for an extra wide margin of safety and handling properties well suited for every-day driving conditions. For the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, the tyre comes in size 265/35 R 19 for the front axle and 295/30 ZR 20 for the rear.

"For us, this approval is a major success, because when it comes to the SLS AMG, Mercedes-AMG holds its tyres to the absolute strictest standards. After all, the tyres are subjected to over 570 HP (420 kW) when the lightweight sports car, which weighs in at roughly 1,600 kg, accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.8 seconds. Mercedes-AMG also expects ultra-high performance in terms of cornering stability and braking distances when it comes to sportiness and safety," says Nikolai Setzer, Executive Board member responsible for Continental’s Passenger and Light Truck Tires division. With the ContiSportContact 5 P, the tyre manufacturer now features a new product designed especially for new vehicles in the super sports car category.

The intense cooperation between Mercedes-AMG and Continental also includes a worldwide collaboration between the AMG Driving Academy and Continental. This perfection training conducted on world-famous race tracks is being offered 16 times this year in Europe. Participants are taught and can practice the safe handling of vehicles in dangerous and critical situations. Mercedes-AMG has just approved Continental tyres for the training sessions, since the tyres combine top sportiness with a high level of safety.

"This cooperation demonstrates that our products always satisfy the highest of requirements," Setzer explains. "We will continue to roll out a succession of new products in the UHP segment to build on our position in this technologically challenging and particularly prestigious segment."