Continental Winter Contact TS 850
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Continental Winter Contact TS 850
Continental Winter Contact TS 850 is the latest tyre test from the German Motoring Magazine “Auto Zeitung.“.

Continental Winter Contact TS 850
The German tyre results are very important. Especially when it comes to winter tyres. Germany still has many motorways. That do not have a speed limit. So during the winter, they are very choosy about which winter tyres will be best
Winter tyres are no longer the big chunky-tread tyres. They used to be. They now have to drive at high speed down the German motorways. Then up the mountains on their way to the ski slopes in Austria, Italy, and France.
The outright winner in the Auto Zeitung winter tyre tests. Were Continental tyres, with their new tyre, the Continental Winter Contact-TS 850
The Continental Tyre Company is a German-based tyre company. They know how to make a winter tyre that can be driven throughout the winter months. In all kinds of conditions.

Continental Tyres’ Remarkable Evolution: A Winter Wonderland for Halifax Drivers
As the proprietor of a garage in Halifax, UK, I’ve had the opportunity to see the ever-changing world of automotive products and technology. The development of Continental tyre products is one area that has experienced amazing improvement. In this post, we’ll look into Continental Tyres’ intriguing journey, with a specific focus on their TS850 winter tyre series – ideal for our fellow Halifax winter fans.
A Trip Through Time
Let us take a moment to admire Continental Tyres’ rich heritage. This German firm, founded in 1871, has been at the forefront of tyre innovation for nearly a century. You may be wondering what this has to do with our little world in Halifax, but stick with me.
Halifax is no stranger to the need for dependable winter tyres, thanks to its scenic surroundings and occasional winter wonderlands. As we all know, the weather in this area can be pretty unpredictable, and having the proper tyres may make or break safety on our local roads.
Continental Winter Contact TS 850
Let’s take a closer look at Continental’s TS850 winter tyre lineup, which is a true game changer for those who brave the icy and snowy roads of Halifax and its surrounding areas. These tyres are made with one objective in mind: to keep you safe in the hardest winter conditions.
Consider this: you wake up to a frigid morning, and the streets are blanketed in fresh snow. With the TS850 tyres, you can start out on your journey with confidence, knowing that you have a dependable partner beneath your vehicle.

Superior Traction and Control – Continental Winter Contact TS 850
The TS850 tyres use cutting-edge technology to give unrivalled traction and control on snow and ice. As someone who values local history, you might be pleased to hear that Continental’s engineers were inspired by the tenacity of our forefathers, who travelled these same routes in tough winter circumstances.
First and foremost, safety.
As a business owner who values safety, I cannot emphasise enough the need to invest in winter tyres. Continental recognises this, and their TS850 line is loaded with safety features. These tyres cover everything from improved braking performance to improved stability in difficult circumstances.
Local Perspectives
Incorporating local interests and history into my pieces is a personal touch on which I am proud. Halifax has a rich tradition, with structures such as the Piece Hall and Shibden Hall each telling a unique narrative. Continental’s dedication to quality and innovation is comparable to the craftsmanship that went into creating these local jewels.
Conclusion
To summarise, Continental Tyres’ journey and the development of their TS850 winter tyre series is a monument to human inventiveness and a commitment to keeping drivers safe even in the harshest of conditions. So, the next time you go on a winter adventure in Halifax, be sure to outfit your vehicle with Continental’s TS850 winter tyres, and you’ll be ready to conquer the roads with confidence.
Stay careful and enjoy Halifax’s snowy wonderland, my fellow drivers!
Continental Winter Contact TS 850 – Continental Winter Contact TS 850
Continental Winter Contact TS 850 has come out on top in German magazine Auto Zeitung’s winter tyre test, closely followed by Nokian’s WR D4.
The Winter Contact TS 850 came in close first place, but the other big tyre companies all fared well with their winter tyre products. In snowy conditions, Michelin, Goodyear, and Uniroyal (another product owned by Continental) were all slightly better, but they were all very close, and the Contact TS 850 came up trumps in wet braking. This tyre has a very strong stopping capability, coming out best in wet conditions overall.
If you are a Continental tyre fan, then this is the winter tyre for you. There is no doubt that the winter tyre market is hotting up in terms of extreme quality and the ability to fulfil the massive number of different tyre sizes that are now on the market.
Does Continental Still Make the TS850 Tyre – And What Replaced It?
Every so often a customer will come into the garage and ask a question that takes you back a few years. Recently, we’ve had a few people asking about the Continental WinterContact TS850 tyre – a very popular winter tyre in its day – and whether it’s still available.
It’s a fair question, because tyres don’t stand still. Just like cars, tyre technology moves on, and manufacturers quietly update or replace models over time.
Yes – Continental still makes tyres in the TS850 family, but the range has evolved, and in many cases it has been superseded by newer models offering improved performance.
A Bit of Background on the Continental Winter Contact TS 850
The original WinterContact TS850 earned a cracking reputation when it was launched. It was especially well regarded for:
- Strong grip in cold, wet conditions
- Excellent braking on winter roads
- Predictable handling in slush and light snow
For many drivers across Yorkshire and the UK, it became a go-to winter tyre, particularly on family cars and everyday saloons.
As vehicles got heavier, more powerful, and more complex, Continental developed an updated version.
The TS850P – The Updated Version
The WinterContact TS850P followed on from the original TS850. The “P” version was designed for larger, heavier vehicles and cars with higher performance demands.
You’ll still see the TS850P listed with UK tyre suppliers, particularly in certain sizes. It’s very much a modernised version of the original TS850 rather than a completely different tyre.
What Has Replaced the Continental Winter Contact TS 850?
In Continental’s current winter range, the main successor is the:
Continental WinterContact TS860
This tyre takes everything that worked well on the TS850 and improves it further. Compared with the older TS850 range, the TS860 offers:
- Shorter braking distances on wet winter roads
- Better traction in cold temperatures
- Improved tread life
- More consistent performance as the tyre wears
There is also the TS860 S, aimed at higher-performance vehicles, offering sharper handling while still maintaining winter safety.
What About Drivers Who Don’t Want Winter-Only Tyres?
Not everyone wants the hassle of swapping tyres twice a year. Continental recognised this and developed some excellent all-season alternatives, including:
- Continental AllSeasonContact
- Continental AllSeasonContact 2
These tyres are designed to cope with UK weather all year round, including cold, wet winters, without the need to change tyres seasonally.
They won’t quite match a full winter tyre in deep snow, but for most drivers in Yorkshire and across the UK, they’re a very practical option.
Which Should You Choose? Continental Winter Contact TS 850
It really depends on how and where you drive:
- Regular winter driving, rural roads, hills → TS860
- Larger cars, SUVs, higher power → TS850P or TS860S
- Year-round convenience → AllSeasonContact
At Pellon Tyres, we always recommend choosing tyres based on real driving conditions, not just what’s cheapest or what someone had five years ago.
Final Thoughts
The TS850 hasn’t disappeared overnight, but tyre technology has moved on. Continental’s newer winter tyres build on what made the TS850 so good, while offering better safety, performance, and longevity for modern cars.
If you’re unsure what’s best for your vehicle, it’s always worth having a proper chat before buying – especially with winter tyres, where the right choice can make a real difference


























