Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 PLUS vs Falken Azenis FK460 A/S: In the thrilling world of ultra-high performance all-season tires, a new challenger has emerged in 2022: the Falken Azenis FK460 A/S. This tire steps into the arena to take on the well-established Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 PLUS. Both promise exceptional performance, but the Azenis FK460 A/S, with its fresh design and cutting-edge technology, is set to shake things up.
Get ready for a head-to-head battle in the ultra-high performance segment, where each tire is pushing the limits to deliver the best in all-weather grip, handling, and durability. It’s an exciting time for car enthusiasts as these two titans clash!
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Results: Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 PLUS vs Falken Azenis FK460 A/S
Results below were taken from the 2023 Tyre Reviews UHP All Season Tyre Test which includes 7 tires from the market. The graph below shows the comparison between Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 PLUS vs Falken Azenis FK460 A/S based on the relevant performance category. The Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 PLUS was set as a reference hence at the 100% mark. Note that for subjective evaluation, we equate 1 point as 5%. Hence for example if tire A is graded 7 while tire B is graded 6, A is better than B by 5%.
The tire size of interest is 275/40 R20 which is a common tire size for Audi Q7 & Porsche Panamera. You can check out our latest tire size table for more information. The testing vehicle is a 717 horse power Dodge Challenger Hellcat.
Wet
In terms of wet performance, the Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 PLUS slightly edges out the Falken Azenis FK460 A/S. When it comes to wet braking, the Continental tire stops just about 0.4 meters (1.3 feet) shorter than the Falken, with distances of 46.9 meters (153.9 feet) and 47.3 meters (155.2 feet) respectively. This small difference can be crucial in emergency braking scenarios.
In wet handling lap times, the Continental completes a course faster, taking 47.38 seconds, while the Falken trails behind with a time of 48.24 seconds. This nearly one second difference indicates that the Continental offers better agility and control in wet conditions.
Finally, when drivers rated their subjective feelings of handling in the wet, the Continental scored a perfect 10 points, whereas the Falken was just a touch behind with 9.8 points out of 10. This suggests that drivers feel slightly more confident and in control with the Continental tires in wet conditions.
Azenis FK460 A/S:
- -1% in wet braking
- -2% in wet handling (lap time)
- -1% in wet handling (subj)
Dry
In dry conditions, the Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 PLUS and the Falken Azenis FK460 A/S show closely matched performances, but with some slight advantages for the Continental.
For dry braking, the Continental tire stops in 34.5 meters (113.2 feet), which is just 0.2 meters (0.66 feet) shorter than the Falken’s 34.7 meters (113.85 feet). This minor difference can still be significant in certain driving situations.
When it comes to dry handling lap times, the Continental again has a slight edge. It completes a dry handling course in 42.27 seconds, a bit faster than the Falken, which takes 42.52 seconds. This quarter of a second difference suggests that the Continental might offer slightly better responsiveness and control in dry conditions.
In terms of how drivers feel about the handling in dry conditions, the Continental scores 9.8 out of 10, while the Falken is close behind with a score of 9.5 out of 10. This indicates that drivers might feel a bit more confident and in control with the Continental tires on dry roads.
Azenis FK460 A/S:
- -1% in dry braking
- -1% in dry handling (lap time)
- -3% in dry handling (subj)
Noise/Comfort/Ride Quality
When comparing the NVH (Noise, Vibration, and Harshness) performances of the Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 PLUS and the Falken Azenis FK460 A/S, it’s interesting to note that both tires perform almost equally well in terms of comfort, with each scoring 9.5 out of 10. This indicates that both tires provide a similarly smooth and comfortable ride, effectively absorbing road imperfections and vibrations.
However, in terms of noise, the Falken Azenis FK460 A/S takes a slight lead, scoring 9.8 out of 10, compared to the Continental’s 9.5 out of 10. This suggests that the Falken tire might offer a slightly quieter driving experience, reducing the amount of road noise that reaches the cabin. While the difference is not huge, it could be noticeable to drivers who are particularly sensitive to tire noise.
Azenis FK460 A/S:
- 0% in subj. comfort
- +1.5% in subj. noise
Snow
Snow testing for both the Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 PLUS and the Falken Azenis FK460 A/S is planned for 2023. Interestingly, neither tire has the 3 Peak Mountain Snowflake symbol, which is often a mark of excellent snow performance. It will be exciting to see which tire outperforms the other in snowy conditions. Stay tuned for the results!
UTQG rating
When comparing the UTQG (Uniform Tire Quality Grading) ratings between the Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 PLUS and the Falken Azenis FK460 A/S, there are some notable differences to consider.
| Brand | Tireline | Size | Tread Wear | Traction | Temperature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Continental | ExtremeContact DWS 06 PLUS | All | 560 | AA | A |
| Falken | Azenis FK460 A/S | All | 500 | A | A |
The Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 PLUS has a tread wear rating of 560, indicating that it is expected to wear slower compared to the Falken Azenis FK460 A/S, which has a tread wear rating of 500. This suggests that the Continental might last a bit longer under similar conditions. However, both tires offer the same 50,000-mile warranty. This equal warranty period implies that, despite the difference in tread wear ratings, both manufacturers have similar confidence in the long-term durability of their tires.
In terms of traction, the Continental has an ‘AA’ rating, which is a step above the Falken’s ‘A’ rating. This higher rating for the Continental suggests it might offer better grip, particularly in wet conditions. The temperature rating for both tires is ‘A’, indicating that they both perform equally well in maintaining good stability and heat resistance at higher speeds.
In summary, while the Continental shows a higher tread wear rating and better traction, both tires promise similar longevity with their equal 50,000-mile warranties, and they equally handle high temperatures well.
Price
In terms of pricing for the tire size 275/40 R20, the Falken Azenis FK460 A/S is slightly more affordable than the Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 PLUS. The Falken tire is priced at $263, which is 4% cheaper than the Continental’s price of $273. This price difference makes the Azenis FK460 A/S a more budget-friendly option while offering competitive performance.
Tire size: 275/40 R20
ExtremeContact DWS 06 PLUS : $273
Azenis FK460 A/S: $263
Difference: -4% more cheaper for Azenis FK460 A/S
Summary
As a tire expert, I must say, I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the performance of the Falken Azenis FK460 A/S. It’s remarkable how closely it matches up to the Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 PLUS in many aspects. The slight price advantage of the Falken tire also adds to its appeal, representing great value for its quality. There’s really not much separating these two contenders in terms of overall performance. So, keep an eye on this space for updates on how they fare in winter conditions – it’s going to be an interesting comparison! Stay tuned for more!
Dr Edwin Pang