You've probably already seen the press release for the Continental WinterContact TS860 S, but if you haven’t, we’ll recap.
As the big brother to the near flawless Continental WinterContact TS860, the new Continental WinterContact TS860 S builds on the success of arguably the best current performance winter tire on the market, the Continental WinterContact TS850P.
While the WinterContact 850P is still proving to be highly successful in testing, Continental believe they have found a better blend of winter tire performances for sporty powerful cars. By adjusting the balance between dry, wet and snow performance, Continental believe the new TS860 S is the optimum tire for high performance vehicles like BMW M, Mercedes AMG and Porsche.
The Improvements
One key area they’ve improved on, which is critical for any tire intended for sports cars, is the dry handling. Thanks largely to sipes, the hundreds of thin cuts on a winter tires tread pattern which make the tire effective in snow and ice, winter tires can feel slow to steer and imprecise on sports cars, especially in the dry. This can lead to many drivers feeling disappointed with how their car feels on winter tires.
To combat this, Continental have created larger outer shoulder blocks, as found on sporty summer tires. This large block pattern really help stiffen the tires shoulder and improve steering precision at speed.
Other new technologies include a new tread pattern to help with snow performance, and a central braking rib with self-closing sipes to ensure the best dry and wet braking performance possible, all exceptionally important for the UKs winters.
The Driving
So what’s the new tire like to drive on? Sadly my own experience is currently limited, but I did have the chance to put the tire through some snow testing at Continentals test centre in Arvidsjaur, Northern Finland.
On a mix of snow types, the new tire performed incredibly. Testing using a FWD Mini Countryman, RWD BMW 440i and a 4WD Audi S4 Estate, each car performed predictably and impressively on the deep snow.
Unlike the WinterContact TS850P which covered 16" and above wheel sizes, the new WinterContact 860 S starts at 18", with the smaller TS860 being made up to 17". The new tire is also available in SSR (runflat), ContiSeal and ContiSilent variants.
The 2018 UHP winter tire tests due out in October will be interesting to read, and I fully expect the new Continental WinterContact TS860 S to be back at the top. If I feel the need to fit a set of performance winter tires this season to the Tire Reviews BMW M3, it will most likely be these.
"Unlike the WinterContact TS850P which covered 16" and above wheel sizes, the new WinterContact 860 S starts at 18"." This is not true. I bought last winter 205/55 R16, in Croatia.
Will post picture soon.... Still on summer tires.
Hello! Can you say that the Continental ts860s are comfortable and soft as the Michelin pilot alpin pa4? Thanks
I've not seen any tests between the two looking at comfort, sorry. In theory they should be really close to each other.
Hi, I'm planning to purchase TS 860 S tires for my brand new M340i xdrive. However, I see that there are Runflat and normal tires for this reference. What would be your preference ? I do not especially like RF tires but I would like to make the best choice based your experience and feedbacks ! Thanks
Like you, I prefer non-runflat tires, however whether you can deal with the lack of extended mobility that comes with non-runflats is your choice
I'll get a repair kit and an inflator in the trunk so I would be able to repair any leak. You know, for the summer tires, I'll get the Michelin Pilot Sport 4s so I'm not afraid by any dammage to the tire. What I want, is a perfect feeling when I drive my car :)
Hi, on snow and ice, which is better? new TS 860 S or older TS 850 P? Dimensions 225/45R18
According to Conti, they're the same. I've not tried a proper test yet.
Hi, will there be any winter tires tests including TS 860 TS, Pilot Alpin 5 and UG Performance +? Would like to pick the best of three soon
I hope Auto Bild might do one, and I'm planning one for next year!
For a driver based just west of London would you go TS860S or CrossClimate+ as a winter tire option? Part of my is thinking the CrossClimate+ would be better for cold, dry performance and probably good enough in the snow for this neck of the woods. Thoughts?
For west London, based on the past 5 years, I'd side with the CrossClimate
Thanks for that, you've confirmed where I was heading. Really I want something better in the cold weather than the MPSS I've got on but with the car drivable in the snow if we get some. Which CrossClimate+ seems to tick all the boxes for. Appreciated
Will be the ts 860 come for the 17" tire sizes, or i will have to choose 850p for My 1.6 tdi skoda superb
There's a chance it will for next winter, but right now it would have to be the 860 or 850P
I hope the S comes in 235/40R18, would be my ideal winter tire...
Love the website (FYI - Arvidsjaur is in Sweden)
On the S4 seen in the picture, was this the car you were driving at the time? If so, I was wondering if you knew what the Rim Size was? I currently live in Aberdeen and travel Scotland & North East England a lot for work, I have a B9 S4 Avant and am looking to get myself a set of Winter Tires & Wheels as currently have the 19" Wheels fitted with 4S's, hard to find a decent winter tire to fit on the 245/35 R19 wheels.
I believe it was the stock rimsize, the 860 S comes in a large range of sizes including your 245/35 R19
http://www.tirereviews.co.u...