Continental AG is actively preparing for the upcoming summer season. Following the rain tire Uniroyal Rainsport 5, in 2020 the company is going to launch the new high-performance model Semperit Speed-Life 3, which, thanks to its wide assortment range, can be fitted on both compact passenger cars and deluxe SUVs.
The new summer model is coming to replace Semperit Speed-Life 2. The engineers endowed it with an asymmetric tread design, which allegedly is meant to increase the tire’s performance in any weather conditions. However,, Speed-Life 3 was essentially made with a focus on higher mileage (+10%), which came with a penalty in dry braking (-2%) and hydroplaning resistance (-5%).
At the same time, together with the mileage, the engineers were able to improve the tire’s handling response by 3%, reduce the noise emission by 2%, as well as reduce the wet braking distance by 3%. The environmental performance of Semperit Speed-Life 3 remained at the level of its predecessor.
It is noted that Semperit Speed-Life 3 will come in 70 fitments with fitting diameters ranging from 15 to 20 inches, and in two versions of tread design — with three and four circumferential drainage grooves. The three-groove version will be virtually in all of the 15-inch tires, for the exception of only two sizes — 195/55 R 15 85V and 195/50 R 15 82V.
In accordance with the European system of tire labeling, all the sizes of Semperit Speed-Life 3 refer to Class B in terms of their wet traction, while their environmental performance puts them in Class C, again, for the sole exception of two fitments: 245/35 R 18 92Y XL FR and 255/30 R 19 91Y XL FR, which are referred to Class E.