Comparing Continental PremiumContact 6 Vs Pilot Sport 4
The Continental PremiumContact 6 and Michelin Pilot Sport 4 have much in common. Both high-performance summer tires offer superb grip and handling on dry and wet roads. You can also count on them to offer brilliant grip and performance year-round.
Yet there are areas where both these tires go their separate ways. For example, the Pilot Sport 4’s tread compound has enabled it to offer better steering response on dry roads. In contrast, the PremiumContact 6 is best known for its superb wet traction and braking.
Want to know more about the differences between these two tires? Then you’re at the right place. This article will compare and contrast the performance of the two radials on various counts. Read on to decide which of the two models should go on your sports car.
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Continental PremiumContact 6
The Continental PremiumContact 6 is a high-performance summer tire available in 240+ sizes, starting from 185/65 R15 up to 325/40 R22. Such an extended size range distinguishes this model from its colleagues, most of which are available in far fewer sizes.
A silica tread compound helps this model deliver the best of both worlds. Together with the asymmetric tread pattern, it helps improve this model’s grip on dry roads. On its own, it keeps the rubber softer when the roads aren’t hot, providing enhanced wet traction.
Another difference between this tire and its fellow HP models is the number of grooves (water-evacuating channels). While most of its colleagues come with the standard 4 groove setup. Continental has equipped the PremiumContact 6 with three circumferential grooves.
Does that mean that it would struggle on wet roads? The extra width of the center groove ensures that isn’t the case. In fact, as someone who has used this and many other summer performance tires, I can attest to this model’s surprisingly short wet braking distances.
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Michelin Pilot Sport 4
The Michelin Pilot Sport 4 ticks many boxes for the speed enthusiast drivers. It offers exceptional straight-line tracking, high-speed stability, and steering response. At the same time, this model’s road manners are pretty good, especially for a summer performance tire.
While the PremiumContact 6 has a silica tread compound, this tire comes with a silica and carbon black mixture. The addition of carbon black provides this model with two benefits: improved wear resistance and a much slower tread-wearing rate for a longer road life.
That means the Pilot Sport 4 should last longer than the PremiumContact 6, provided you use both tires in the same or similar conditions. This explains why the Pilot Sport 4 comes with a 20,000-mileage warranty, whereas the PremiumContact 6 comes with none.
However, while this model may not need replacement as soon as its counterpart, there are areas where it lags the PremiumContact 6. Think of price, wet traction, and braking distances in the rain. All these are factors where Continental’s flagship UHP tire fares better.
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The Main Differences
This section will help you decide whether the Continental PremiumContact 6 or the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 should go on your vehicle.
Comparing Off-Road Performance
Neither the PremiumContact 6 nor the Pilot Sport 4 is designed for off-roading.
Unlike dedicated off-road tires, these models don’t have reinforced sidewalls, deep tread patterns, massive voids between tread blocks, or self-cleaning treads. As such, if you regularly test your vehicle’s limits off the highway, neither of these tires should be on your list.
Winner: Tie
Comparing On-Road Performance
How Do They Perform in Dry Conditions?
The following features have made the Pilot Sport 4 one of the best UHP tires for dry roads:
- 3D Grip Technology enhances this model’s grip and stability in dry conditions. It does that with the help of asymmetrical ribs and sipes. Both of these work together to make this tire more stable, even during high-speed cornering.
- Large blocks on the shoulder help increase contact with the road. As you might guess, this translates into better control during high-speed driving, helping you retain full control over your vehicle’s drive.
- A solid center rib improves handling and reduces braking distances. That is because its continuous design enables more of the tire’s tread to stay in contact with the road, improving stopping power on dry roads.
Winner: Michelin Pilot Sport 4
How Do They Perform on Wet Roads?
Do you regularly drive on wet roads? Here’s why you should opt for PremiumContact 6:
- A 3-groove design helps enhance this tire’s hydroplaning resistance. Even though this model has one fewer groove than the Pilot Sport 4, the extra width of the water channels helps channel water away from the contact patch.
- A high silica tread compound ensures better traction on wet surfaces. Silica has the uncanny ability to bond with water molecules. This, in turn, makes sure that the tire with silica in its rubber maintains constant contact with the road surface.
- An asymmetric tread design improves grip in wet conditions. This tire’s outer portion features larger, more open blocks for quick water evacuation. Its inner motion, meanwhile, has dense blocks for improved wet grip.
Winner: Continental PremiumContact 6
Are They Good in the Handling Department?
Both tires are an excellent choice for drivers who prioritize handling.
The PremiumContact 6 has multiple features – Black Chili Technology, asymmetric tread pattern, solid central rib – that improve its traction and handling. Its tread pattern, in particular, provides a more precise steering response, helping this tire quickly responds to steering inputs.
The Pilot Sport 4 also provides exceptional handling, mainly due to the Dynamic Response Technology that keeps it stable at high speeds. Some of the credit for its excellent handling has to be given to the hybrid compound, too, which enhances its grip on dry and wet surfaces.
Winner: It’s a tie
Comparing on Snow Performance
Given the fact that they are high-performance summer tires, it shouldn’t be surprising to note that both struggle in wintry conditions.
If you are looking for a dedicated winter tire, the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 or Michelin X-Ice Snow deserves your attention. These are snow tires specifically designed to safely carry you from point A to point B through snow, ice, and slush.
Winner: It’s a tie
Comparing on Treadwear and Durability
Under the same driving style and road conditions, the Pilot Sport 4 will last longer.
Need proof? Then you must compare both tires’ mileage warranties. While the Pilot Sport 4 is backed to last at least 20,000 miles, the PremiumContact 6 comes with no such guarantee. This tells you all you need to know about these models’ respective tread lives.
Winner: Michelin Pilot Sport 4
Comparing on Comfort
The PremiumContact 6 is a better choice for drivers who prioritize comfort.
In contrast to the Pilot Sport 4, this tire keeps noise levels low and refinement high, regardless of your driving speed. No matter whether you’re driving at a leisurely pace or have earned tickets for over-speeding, the PremiumContact 6 will provide a smooth and comfortable ride.
On the other hand, the Pilot Sport 4 tends to be reasonably noisy at high speeds. While it can absorb road imperfections, the higher road noise makes its drive slightly less comfortable, especially when compared with that of the PremiumContact 6.
Winner: Continental PremiumContact 6
Comparing on Price
The Pilot Sport 4 costs more than the PremiumContact 6.
The above fact shouldn’t be the least bit surprising to anyone who has ever bought Michelin tires. As Michelin tires are renowned/notorious for their astronomical asking prices.
Winner: Continental PremiumContact 6
Pros and Cons
Let’s look at the areas where these tires excel as well as those where they disappoint.
Continental PremiumContact 6 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Offers best-in-class wet traction
- Relatively high comfort levels vis-à-vis Pilot Sport 4
- Costs much less than its high-performance counterpart
Cons
- Doesn’t come with a treadwear warranty
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Offers best dry performance in class
- Backed by a 20,000-mile treadwear warranty
- Delivers an exceptionally precise steering response
Cons
- Tends to be noisy at higher speeds
Which Tire Should You Choose?
Opt for the Continental PremiumContact 6 if you want:
- Exceptional wet traction and handling
- Extremely short braking distances in the rain
- High levels of riding comfort and low road noise
Conversely, go for the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 for:
- Best-in-class dry grip and handling
- Extreme high-speed stability
- Top-of-the-line steering feedback