Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 vs Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 PLUS: Introducing the ultimate showdown: the battle of the tires, featuring the popular Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 versus its innovative successor, the Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 PLUS. Launched in 2021 with much fanfare, the DWS06 PLUS has since captivated the attention of car enthusiasts and casual drivers alike. Boasting state-of-the-art advancements, this tire has excelled in wet braking and snow performance, making it an attractive choice for those seeking safety and control in all seasons. Join us as we delve deeper into the features that set these two high-performance tires apart and explore how the DWS06 PLUS builds on the successes of its predecessor to raise the bar for all-season tires.
Table of Contents
New Feature Highlights:
ExtremeContact DWS06 PLUS : Quick view indicators
QuickView Indicators have become synonymous with Continental’s tires, and the ExtremeContact DWS06 PLUS proudly carries on this tradition. This straightforward yet immensely valuable technology consists of two distinct components that drivers can visually inspect in just a few moments.
ExtremeContact DWS06 PLUS : Performance-tuned all-season tread compound
Equipped with a revamped, high-performance all-season tread compound crafted into a modernized asymmetric tread pattern and incorporating SPORTPLUS+ Technology, the ExtremeContact DWS 06 PLUS is designed for superior handling and braking capabilities.
Results
The results provided below are from Simple Tire’s press release regarding the new Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 PLUS. Since these results are self-reported by Continental, it is advisable to take them with a grain of salt. To see how the ExtremeContact DWS06 PLUS compares to its major competitors, such as the Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 and Bridgestone Potenza RE980+, you can observe it in a real testing environment. The graph below illustrates the comparison between the Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 and the Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 PLUS, based on relevant performance categories. The Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 was set as a reference, and thus appears at the 100% mark. Unfortunately, the tire size of interest and the vehicle used in testing were not specified in the results sheet.
Wet
The coefficient of friction between the tire and road surface decreases dramatically on wet roads compared to dry roads. As a result, the likelihood of getting into a road accident is higher during wet conditions than on a sunny day. This is so important that the EU label includes wet braking as one of its three criteria. In our comparison, the ExtremeContact DWS06 PLUS truly shone in wet braking, as it outperformed the DWS 06 PLUS by 9%.
As for the wet handling category, it wasn’t specified whether the testing was done using subjective evaluations or lap times. However, it appears to be based on subjective testing. The new ExtremeContact DWS06 PLUS managed a modest 2% advantage over its predecessor, which could be attributed to the enhanced braking capabilities provided by the new performance-tuned all-season tread compound.
In conclusion, the new ExtremeContact DWS06 PLUS certainly enters the competition with a significantly improved wet braking performance. With its gains in wet braking and handling, it is undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with when it comes to wet performance.
ExtremeContact DWS06 PLUS :
- +9% in wet braking
- +2% in wet handling
Dry
When it comes to dry conditions, safety is usually less of a concern since braking distances are generally longer than on wet roads. However, this is the typical daily scenario, and tires must perform consistently well. With the new tread compound, the ExtremeContact DWS06 PLUS managed to improve its dry braking by 3%, outperforming its predecessor. In terms of dry handling, both tires were deemed inseparable, as they achieved the same dry handling score. Overall, the ExtremeContact DWS06 PLUS showed a modest improvement in dry performance, which is definitely a plus.
ExtremeContact DWS06 PLUS :
- +3% in dry braking
- 0% in dry handling
Noise & Comfort
Similarly to dry handling, both tires were also rated the same in noise and comfort, with the successor unable to provide any significant gains compared to the ExtremeContact DWS06.
ExtremeContact DWS06 PLUS :
- 0% in noise/comfort
Snow
Before delving into snow performance, it’s important to note that the ExtremeContact DWS06 PLUS is not a 3-peak mountain certified product. This means it does not need to meet the mandatory snow traction threshold as required by regulation. However, staying true to its spirit of innovation, the ExtremeContact DWS06 PLUS has an upgraded compound that significantly enhanced its snow performance by 11%, which is a considerable leap from our perspective.
ExtremeContact DWS06 PLUS :
- +11% in Snow
Ice
Similarly to snow, the new upgraded compound also helps improve ice performance, as it recorded a 5% increase in ice-related results. This improvement would undoubtedly be beneficial during the cold, icy months and would aid in gaining traction, especially in black ice situations.
ExtremeContact DWS06 PLUS :
- +5% in Ice
UTQG Rating & Tread Life
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 DWS06 | Load Index <= 103 | 560 | AA | A |
| Continental | ExtremeContact DWS06 | Load Index >= 104 | 560 | A | A |
| Continental | ExtremeContact DWS06 PLUS | Load Index <= 103 | 560 | AA | A |
| Continental | ExtremeContact DWS06 PLUS | Load Index >= 104 | 560 | A | A |
The mileage warranty for both tires is the same at 50,000 miles, and there is no change in the UTQG treadwear values either. Based on the test results, the ExtremeContact DWS06 PLUS and ExtremeContact DWS06 were ranked the same in mileage. Therefore, it can be reasonably assumed that both tires would have similar mileage, give or take. For more in-depth information about UTQG, please check out this article here. We even offer a free download of the latest UTQG values from leading tire manufacturers.
ExtremeContact DWS06 PLUS :
- 0% in tread life
Price
The ExtremeContact DWS06 PLUS replaces the ExtremeContact DWS06, and we would definitely expect the prices to remain within a similar range, barring any effects from inflation or changes in raw material costs.
Tire size: 235/35 R19
ExtremeContact DWS06: No longer sold in the market.
ExtremeContact DWS06 PLUS: $247
Difference: –
Summary
Overall, it is evident that with the updated performance-tuned all-season tread compound, the new ExtremeContact DWS06 PLUS excels in wet and dry braking, as well as snow and ice performance, without any drawbacks in mileage. If you are looking for a highly competitive all-season tire with strong wet and winter performance, definitely consider Continental’s ExtremeContact DWS06 PLUS. You can check out how well the ExtremeContact DWS06 PLUS fares against its fierce rivals, such as the Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 and Bridgestone Potenza RE980+, by following the attached link.