Hanover/Essen, May 2008. The Barum Polaris 2 is a high-mileage all-round tyre for compact and medium range cars. In addition to its technical merits, the tyre offers an outstanding price/performance ratio.

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Just like the summer tyres from Barum, the Polaris 2 also offers extra mileage performance. Moreover, this dedicated winter tyre boasts increased traction and excellent lateral guidance in snow. One striking feature is its dual sipe system with pronounced stepped sipes in the tread centre and wave-shaped sipes on the shoulder. "This combination was specifically designed to meet the tyre's applications; in conjunction with its distinctive contour and a large contact patch offering uniform pressure distribution for even wear, this is a recipe for success and a long tyre life" explained Heike Schöpper, Product Manager for Barum winter tyres. "The stepped sipes, which have greater edge lengths than conventional sipes, also ensure better traction on wintry roads. The wave-shaped sipes in the shoulder section mean excellent lateral guidance in snow and ice, because the tread blocks remain more stable." In addition, the developers gave the Polaris 2 a supple silica compound for reliable grip on wet roads. The Polaris 2 is available in 45 sizes from 13" to 17". Barum's dedicated cold weather tyre is approved for speeds of up to 240 km/h (150 mph), depending on the particular version. The size range extends from 135/80 R 13 T to 225/45 R 17 V XL.

Barum is a tyre brand of Continental AG. With targeted annual sales of more than i26.4 billion in 2008, the Continental Corporation is one of the world's leading automotive suppliers. As a supplier of tyres, brake systems, systems and components for the power train and chassis, instrumentation, infotainment solutions, vehicle electronics and technical elastomers, the corporation contributes towards enhanced driving safety and protection of the global climate. Continental is also a competent partner in networked automobile communication. Today, the corporation employs approximately 150,000 people at nearly 200 locations in 36 countries.

The tyre divisions are an Official Sponsor of UEFA EURO 2008^TM, which will be held in Austria and Switzerland in June 2008. For further details, visit the websites www.ContiSoccerWorld.de, www.contifanworld.com and www.conti-online.com.