Uvalde, Texas, might as well be the “headquarters” for Continental Tire the Americas; the company and its customers literally spend weeks there each year on drive-and-learn excursions surrounding new product launches or special programs. That’s not to mention the OEM-specific exercises and the tiremaker’s own rigid testing schedule.

Already this year, CTA hosted waves of dealers to try out the new Continental ExtremeContact DWS06, its next generation ultra-high performance all-season tire (see April 2015 issue).

In mid-May, Uvalde saw multiple flights of tire and car dealers – including representatives of car dealer tire supplier Dealer Tire – in town to check out several CTA offerings including the new General Grabber HTS60, which will officially hit the streets this August. The roster of car dealer groups on this particular trip included Audi, VW and Mercedes-Benz service managers, service writers and service techs.

Besides the Grabber HTS60, visitors tried out Continental’s ExtremeContact DWS60, ExtremeContact DW, PureContact, and the General G-Max AS-03, Altimax RT 43 LE and Grabber HTS60, as well as a sneak peak at the soon-to-come Grabber M/T.

The new all-season highway/terrain Grabber HTS60 is slated to replace the Grabber HTS, and is touted as “the perfect synergy of comfort, durability and performance for light trucks, SUVs and crossovers.” CTA officials claimed the new HTS60 has “significantly improved tread life over its predecessor” – up to 25% better – compared to the original HTS.

The HTS60 will be available to dealers in a total of 62 sizes, 50 of which will be P-metric and the remaining 12 in LT-metric/flotation sizes (including OE sizes). The tread pattern on the P-metric sizes will feature considerably more sipes on the center rib and two outside ribs compared to the LT-metric/flotation iterations. The P-metric sizes “are optimized for ride quality and traction while the LT sizes are optimized for stability and grip under heavy loads,” Conti said.

The HTS60 has a five-rib design, with two straight outer circumferential grooves and a pair of wavy circumferential grooves, both designed to move water quickly through the footprint.

The symmetrical pattern is supported by a “robust” cut-and-chip resistant tread compound – Conti’s DuraGen technology – to help improve tread life and durability. The broad contour tread face results in a wider footprint, Conti said, to promote “even wear, excellent braking and responsive handling.”

Despite the tire’s “muscular stance,” driver comfort is addressed by Conti’s Comfort Balance Technology, which cushions the ride via an absorption layer “that isolates the vehicle from road disturbances for a more comfortable, pleasant ride,” CTA said.

The Grabber HTS60 is backed by a 65,000-mile limited warranty.

The 50 P-metric sizes will cover 15- through 22-inch wheel diameters and S, T and H speed ratings, while the 12 LT-metric/flotation sizes range from 15- through 18-inch wheel diameters and R and S speed ratings.