Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus vs Vredestein Hypertrac All Season: The Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus has long set the standard in the ultra-high-performance all-season segment, known for its exceptional balance of grip, durability, and all-weather reliability. Now, it faces a thrilling new challenger: the Vredestein Hypertrac All Season. This fresh contender promises to push the boundaries of performance, comfort, and year-round versatility.
Get ready for an epic battle between these two titans of traction, as we compare their capabilities and see which tire reigns supreme in the ultra-high-performance all-season category.
Table of Contents
Results: Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus vs Vredestein Hypertrac All Season
Results below were taken from Tire Rack’s Testing Ultra High Performance All-Season Tires 2023 test. A total of 4 tires were tested on Tire Rack’s proving ground. The graph below shows the comparison between Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus vs Vredestein Hypertrac All Season based on the relevant performance category. The ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus was set as a reference hence at the 100% mark.
As both tires are classified as an all season tire but without the 3 peak mountain logo, Tire Rack will include snow & ice in its testing portfolio. A detailed testing on snow including acceleration, braking & handling will be available after the 2023 winter season. The tire size of interest is a 225/40R18 which is a common tire size for Honda NSX & Volkswagen Golf R. The testing vehicle is a powerful 2022 Subaru BRZ.
Wet
In wet conditions, the Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus slightly outperforms the Vredestein Hypertrac All Season in wet braking, stopping about 2 feet shorter with a distance of 94.60 feet compared to the Hypertrac’s 96.50 feet from 50-0 mph.
When it comes to subjective wet handling, drivers feel more confident with the ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus, rating it at 8.19 out of 10, versus the Hypertrac’s 7.69, indicating a preference for the Continental’s grip and control. In similar trend in timed wet handling laps, the ExtremeContact is a tad quicker, completing a lap in 31.17 seconds, compared to the Hypertrac’s slightly slower 31.72 seconds, suggesting that while the Hypertrac is competent, the ExtremeContact offers a more responsive and controlled wet driving experience.
Hypertrac All Season :
The Hypertrac All Season did well on the track as long as drivers kept within its grip limits. If pushed too far, it tended to slide through turns, and it was hard to tell when it would lose grip, which could happen suddenly. Its steering was light and quick, just like the best tires out there, but it wasn’t as precise or solid-feeling.
Test driver feedback on Hypertrac All Season
ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus :
The ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus, on the other hand, was nimble, fast, and managed power well. Its steering feel was just a bit less impressive, a small but noticeable difference. It didn’t communicate as well at the edge of its performance, but its strong traction made it a dependable choice in wet conditions, not easily outdone.
Test driver feedback on ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus
Hypertrac All Season :
- -2% in wet braking
- -2% in wet handling (subj)
- -2% in wet handling (lap time)
Dry
In dry conditions, the Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus has a slight edge in dry braking, stopping around 1.1 feet shorter than the Vredestein Hypertrac All Season, with distances of 81.70 feet and 82.80 feet from 50-0 mph, respectively.
Drivers feel slightly better about the ExtremeContact’s handling, rating it at 7.94 out of 10, compared to the Hypertrac’s 7.75. However, the Hypertrac All Season makes up some ground in dry lap times, completing the course marginally quicker at 29.36 seconds, while the ExtremeContact finishes in 29.47 seconds. This suggests that while the ExtremeContact might offer a bit more control and confidence, the Hypertrac is capable of delivering a competitive performance in dry conditions.
Hypertrac All Season :
When you check the objective numbers for the Hypertrac All Season, you’d see it can go around the track as well as any tire. However, it doesn’t quite stick to the road as well as others when making sharp turns. The steering is decent, but it doesn’t handle as sharply or accurately as we’d prefer.
Test driver feedback on Hypertrac All Season
ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus :
In dry conditions, the ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus was also impressive, having a slight edge in actual braking performance and good control from its front wheels with accurate and sharp steering. However, it felt a bit less engaging and more straightforward compared to the Potenza, yet without sacrificing any of its capability.
Test driver feedback on ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus
Hypertrac All Season :
- -1% in dry braking
- -1% in dry handling (subj)
- ~0% in dry handling (lap time)
Noise/Comfort/Ride Quality
When it comes to NVH (Noise, Vibration, and Harshness) performance, the Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus generally outperforms the Vredestein Hypertrac All Season. In ride quality, the ExtremeContact is rated slightly higher at 7 out of 10 compared to the Hypertrac’s 6.5, indicating a smoother and more comfortable ride.
For noise levels, the ExtremeContact also leads with a 6.75 rating against the Hypertrac’s 6.5, suggesting it’s a bit quieter. In steering and road handling, which affects how the road feels through the steering wheel, the ExtremeContact scores 7.5, while the Hypertrac is close behind at 7.25, showing that both tires provide a good sense of control but the ExtremeContact might offer a slightly better feel of the road.
Overall, averaging these factors for a general sense of noise, comfort, and ride quality, the ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus scores 7.08 out of 10, surpassing the Hypertrac’s 6.75, indicating it offers a better overall driving experience in terms of comfort and quietness.
Hypertrac All Season :
- -2% in average of Noise, Comfort & Ride Quality
Snow & Ice
Tire Rack’s snow and ice testing for the Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus and Vredestein Hypertrac All Season is set for the 2023 winter season. Stay tuned early next year for updates and detailed results!
UTQG rating
We have previously shown that UTQG tread wear rating can be a good indication of your expected mileage. Below are the UTQG values of both of the tirelines.
| Brand | Tireline | Size | Tread Wear | Traction | Temperature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Continental | ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus | All | 560 | AA | A |
| Vredestein | Hypertrac All Season | All | 500 | AA | A |
Both the Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus and the Vredestein Hypertrac All Season offer a 50k miles mileage warranty, which is a strong statement about their expected durability. However, they do have different UTQG tread wear ratings, with the ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus rated at 560 and the Hypertrac All Season at 500. The higher tread wear rating of the Continental suggests it might last longer under typical driving conditions, potentially giving you more miles before the tread wears down.
Both tires have the same ‘AA’ traction rating, suggesting excellent performance in stopping quickly on wet pavement, which is great for safety and handling. They also share an ‘A’ temperature rating, indicating they can efficiently dissipate heat at high speeds, maintaining integrity and performance.
So, while both tires promise durability and safety with their mileage warranty and traction and temperature grades, the Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus has a slight advantage in potential longevity with its higher tread wear rating. But remember, actual tire life can vary based on driving habits and conditions.
Price
The price for both the Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus and the Vredestein Hypertrac All Season tires in the size 225/40R18 is nearly identical, with the ExtremeContact priced at $172 and the Hypertrac at $173. The difference is only about $1, making them roughly the same in cost.
Tire size: 225/40R18
- ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus : $172
- Hypertrac All Season : $173
Difference: ~ roughly the same.
Summary
As a tire expert, I’m genuinely impressed with how the Vredestein Hypertrac All Season nearly matched up to the Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus. It’s rare to see such a close competitor to what’s been a benchmark tire in the industry. While the Hypertrac All Season showed commendable performance in various aspects, especially considering its price point, the DWS 06 Plus still edges ahead in this Round 1 summer duel. It’s the combination of its superior wet and dry performance, along with its slightly better noise and ride comfort that secures its victory for now. However, the margin is narrow, and the Hypertrac is a tire that shouldn’t be underestimated. So, stay tuned to this space for winter updates! We’ll see how these two tires stack up in colder conditions in Round 2.
Dr Edwin Pang