Altimax HP ranked No. 1 in Tire Rack grand touring consumer survey category

Customers cited the Altimax’s wet and dry traction, hydroplaning resistance, cornering stability, steering response, noise and ride comfort and tread wear as pluses for the tire.

Tire Rack conducts these independent consumer surveys, in addition to their own tire tests, to help drivers share their long term tire experiences with fellow consumers researching their next tire purchase.

“The Altimax HP was developed to address the many challenges faced by today’s performance sedan and coupe drivers. The Altimax HP is designed to combine reliability, comfort, and tread life, as well as year-round traction, including in light snow,” according to Tire Rack’s analysis.

The Grand Touring All-Season Tire category is targeted at consumers who want all-season versatility (including light snow traction) and responsive handling, along with noise and ride comfort. They are often used as original equipment and place more emphasis on handling and high-speed capabilities than Standard Touring tires, the retailer reports.

“We are very pleased that (the tire) performed so well in this survey,” says Andreas Gerstenberger, executive vice president of sales and marketing at Continental Tire North America, Inc., General’s parent company. “The Altimax is a key component in our revitalization of the General Tire brand, and since its launch this past spring, the tire has continually delivered a smooth, comfortable ride and long tread life.”

The secret to the tire’s success, Gerstenberger adds, is the company’s Quad-Tech technology, which features Visual Alignment Indicators (VAI), which help consumers visually identify tire tracking irregularities so tires can be re-aligned to extend the tread life; Acoustic Modulation Sound Technology (AMST), a sound wave suppression technology which substantially reduces road tire noise; and a Twin Cushion Silica Tread Compound, comprised of high and low density materials.

“And with the Altimax HP, the question of when to replace tires has been rendered obsolete,” says Gerstenberger, noting how the company’s Replacement Tire Monitor Technology (RTM) “is deceptively simple: A stamp imprinted on the center rib of the tire tread, reads ‘Replacement Tire Monitor’ when new. As the tread wears away, the stamp changes to read ‘Replace Tire,’ a bold, graphic indication that the tire has reached the legal minimum tread depth.”

Tire Rack’s Grand Touring All-Season Tire category consumer survey results include:

1) General Altimax HP

2) Bridgestone Turanza Serenity

3) Continental ContiProContact SSR

4) Goodyear Eagle ResponsEdge

5) Kumho Solus KH16

6) Continental ContiProContact

7) Kumho Ecsta HP4 716

8) Michelin Energy MXV4 Plus

9) Michelin Energy MXV4 S8

10) Continental ContiTouringContact CV95

(tie)

10) Pirelli P4000 Super Touring

For more information, visit http://www.tirerack.com/survey/gtas or www.generaltire.com.