Exclusive Q&A: Are all-season tyres the ultimate all-rounders?

Continental’s Nicholas O'Beirne gives us an exclusive look at the AllSeasonContact 2, but can a tyre really perform in all conditions without performance trade-offs?

The debate continues: can a single tyre truly excel in all-seasons without sacrificing performance? We speak exclusively with Continental tyres Program Manager Nicholas O'Beirne about the innovative AllSeasonContact 2, uncovering whether the compromises often associated with all-season tyres are a myth.

Q: What does 'all-season' really mean for the AllSeasonContact 2, and how does it excel compared to dedicated summer or winter tyres?

A: It’s exactly what it sounds like: for us, all-season means a tyre that performs in all conditions, all year round. Whether it's a cold winter, a rainy autumn, summer (which in the UK, probably still means a lot of rain…) and even in warmer conditions.

What we really wanted was a tyre that not only meets legal requirements, but performance expectations too. And thanks to our innovative "Chili Blend" compound, you get the safety and performance you’d expect from a summer tyre in summer and a winter tyre in winter — which is excellent.

Q: When you set out to develop the AllSeasonContact 2, what was the top 'must-have' performance characteristic you were determined to nail?

A: When we were establishing our top criteria, we looked at all-season tyres and found that one aspect was often being favoured ahead of another. So what we really wanted from the AllSeasonContact 2 was the opposite: rounded, uniform performance — a real balance at a high level. So that meant, for example, not over-exceeding grip in colder conditions at the expense of something else. 

Overall, if I was forced to say which characteristics were ‘must haves’, I’d say safety, mileage and comfort. 

Q: What are some of the key technological advancements or design features in the AllSeasonContact 2 that truly differentiate it from its predecessor or competitors in the all-season market?

A: The predecessor to the AllSeasonContact 2 was already a very good tyre, but if we look at the tread pattern we have now — with what we call an adaptive tread design — there are several different features within this. And this is a key area that differentiates us in the market too. 

The AllSeasonContact 2 stays consistent under any temperature, providing better grip whatever the season. Within the compound is a ‘high damping softener technology’ (yes, that one’s best said that slowly) which provides grip in colder conditions. But at the same time, we've also been able to introduce the latest generation of polymer blends, giving excellent performance and safety in warmer temperatures, even if it rains — so again, it’s all about rounded performance no matter what's going on outside.

Q: Which vehicles do you think stand to benefit the most from AllSeasonContact 2’s award-winning design?

A: That’s an interesting question, and I'm going to give you, I'm afraid, a horrible answer: we’ve genuinely considered them all.

During the tyre development, we really looked at the trends. In the past, many people thought these sorts of tyres were for their ‘second car’, or smaller city cars. But we realised very quickly that because of all-season tyres’ year-round performance capabilities and safety offerings, they were attracting sporty drivers too. So, we wanted something that worked on everything: from compact cars, to sports cars and SUVs.

And, thanks to our tyres’ energy optimised materials which can extend range, they're excellent for EVs too. So yes, you can put this tyre on any car — they were attracting a wider range of drivers, from sporty cars to little city run arounds, for example — and that was a big part of the point.

Q: Tyre wear and longevity are huge considerations for our customers, especially when they're investing in a tyre that needs to perform year-round. How has Continental addressed tyre wear in the AllSeasonContact 2, and what kind of lifespan can drivers realistically expect?

A: I would say the AllSeasonContact 2 has a few areas that really help with longevity, and we’ve partaken in independent testing to support its high mileage figures which can be readily seen in our press test results. 

That low abrasion pattern I mentioned earlier also optimises the tyre’s force distribution when in contact with the road, minimising abrasion and wear, giving your rubber a much longer lifespan. Then, within the compound we have a flexible rubber network, helping it adapt to differing road surfaces, again reducing abrasion and improving mileage.

In terms of the lifespan drivers can   realistically expect? It's very difficult to put a number on that because it depends on driving style. If I put my foot down heavily over the course of a year, I'm going to have much higher wear than driving with a lighter touch. And I know it sounds like a bit of cop out, saying it's driving style, but I've seen it on my own car — and that’s why I now drive with the lightest foot in Europe...