ComfortRide Technology incorporates an extra band of absorbing rubber to smooth the ride.

Another feature touted by Continental are the DWS tuned performance indicators. These are letters in the tread that indicate wear, and correspondingly inform of the tire’s performance capabilities. “S” means you’re good for snow. “W” is wet, and when only “D” remains, the tires is best suited only for dry conditions.

Independent tests show the PureContact to have long tread life, and Continental backs it up with a 112,000 kilometer, 72 month limited treadwear warranty. Treadwear warranties run from 48,000 to 160,000 km.

Initial impressions of the PureContact on our Volvo are very favourable. Granted, the Falkens were near the end of their service (and are a lower priced tire), but the Continentals have pretty much transformed the V70 wagon into a much better car. The ride is quieter and handling is markedly better, showing a crisper turn in and better path control in the corners, which is saying something as this wagon is hardly an athlete. It also tracks like the proverbial freight train on the highway.

Ride quality is just fine, although a bit firmer than the Bridgestone Turanza Serenity Plus and Pirelli Cinturato P7, according to online tests.

But the PureContact is the sharper handler. In a comparison test with more expensive all-season touring tires, TireRack found the PureContacts “felt the most direct and responsive” and were “a little more nimble than the others”.

The Falkens on the Volvo were never particularly good in the wet (and awful in snow if some fell before we got the winter tires on), so it would make sense that these PureContacts, that claim top wet weather braking and handling would be worlds apart.

They are. On a chilly, wet and greasy day I did some emergency braking exercises in the Volvo. It proved stable with surprising grip, coming to a halt with barely any ABS intervention.

It’s too early to tell if the Conti’s low rolling resistance will improve the V70’s fuel economy by any discernable measure.

The automotive rubber game moves ahead at a brisk pace, and as a replacement all-season touring tire this fairly recent offering from  Continental hits all the right marks. Price wise, the PureContact punches well above its weight and delivers long wear, excellent wet weather performance bundled with sharp responses and the promise of increased fuel economy.

I know our Volvo is happy.

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