The ContiSportContact 5 is Continental's Max Performance Summer tire. Initially developed to match the sporty driving characteristics of Mercedes-Benz SLK350 roadsters, the ContiSportContact 5 is designed to combine short braking distances and good cornering traction with reduced fuel consumption and good treadwear. However like all summer tires, they are not intended to be driven in near freezing temperatures, through snow or on ice.The ContiSportContact 5 uses Continental's Black Chilli compound molded into an asymmetric tread design that features a macro-block outboard shoulder that adapts to the road surface to improve road grip and cornering stability. Four circumferential grooves channel water to resist hydroplaning and enhance wet traction. A continuous center rib and notched intermediate ribs promote steering response and straight-line tracking.The ContiSportContact 5's Black Chilli compound's short-chain polymers react to braking forces by building heat to shorten braking distance on wet and dry roads, while the compound's long-chain polymers release the absorbed energy more efficiently at constant speeds to reduced rolling resistance. Thus, the tire stops faster and remains cooler for longer life and reduced fuel consumption.The tire's internal structure features twin steel belts reinforced with spirally wrapped polyamide (a mixture of heat-resistant synthetic aramid fiber and nylon threads) that enhances the ride quality while tuning the contact area's vertical flexibility and lateral rigidity.Limited sizes of the ContiSportContact 5 are available with Continental's ContiSilent Technology, which involves the manufacturer adhering a layer of sound-absorbing foam to the inner liner of the tire to reduce cabin noise in the vehicle. These sizes are identified on the Specs page and in the search results.