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Continental ExtremeContact Sport 02 245/45R18 XL 100Y
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$239.49
was $272.15
Total savings on 4 tires: $130.64
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You're viewing new Continental ExtremeContact Sport 02 Tire | 245/45R18 | XL | Manufacturer Part No 03125160000.
Continental ExtremeContact Sport 02 — 245/45R18 XL 100Y
The Continental ExtremeContact Sport 02 245/45R18 XL 100Y is a flagship ultra-high-performance summer tire engineered for sports coupes, performance saloons, and mid-class sports cars. The second generation of Continental's ExtremeContact Sport builds on the proven foundation of its predecessor with an upgraded SportPlus compound, revised asymmetric tread geometry, and optimised carcass construction — delivering measurably shorter braking distances, higher lateral grip, and improved treadwear compared to the original ExtremeContact Sport in the same size class.
Size Profile: 245/45R18 — Sport 45-series profile
The 245/45R18 specification targets sports cars and performance coupes. Extra Load (XL) reinforced casing is suited to the demands of this application — The XL reinforcement stiffens the carcass for the higher inflation pressures used on performance variants and elevated axle loads, maintaining precise contact patch geometry under hard braking and cornering where standard-load casings can deform and reduce grip consistency. The sport 45-series profile provides balanced lateral stiffness and road feel: at 45-series, the sidewall height is 110mm — maintaining the balance of feedback and compliance ideal for performance driving in varied road conditions. The Y speed rating confirms structural integrity beyond 300 km/h, making this tire appropriate for vehicles with unrestricted top-speed capability.
SportPlus Compound — Dry Dominance
The ExtremeContact Sport 02's updated SportPlus compound is formulated for the temperature range of warm-weather performance driving — from cool spring mornings above 7°C to the heat generated in the tire contact patch during sustained track-pace cornering. The compound's polymer structure maintains grip consistency as the tire heats through its operating range, avoiding the sudden breakaway that older-generation summer compounds can exhibit when pushed beyond their thermal window. On dry roads, the rigid outer shoulder blocks resist deformation under lateral loading, keeping the contact patch engaged with the road surface through the full arc of a corner and delivering the confident, linear grip increase that performance drivers rely on.
Wet Performance and Safety
Despite its performance summer classification, the ExtremeContact Sport 02 delivers compelling wet-weather safety for a tire optimised primarily for dry grip. The asymmetric tread's inner zone features wide circumferential drainage channels and angled lateral grooves that route water away from the contact patch at speed, resisting aquaplaning and maintaining grip during sudden summer downpours. Micro-sipes in the tread blocks add biting edges for wet-road adhesion, shortening braking distances on wet tarmac while maintaining the block rigidity needed for dry-road lateral grip — a balance that makes the Sport 02 a more usable daily-driver tire than equivalent track-focused summer compounds.
Vehicle Compatibility and Fitment Examples
The 245/45R18 XL 100Y is widely used and approved for sports cars and performance coupes, including BMW M5 (F10) front, Audi RS4 (B8) front, Porsche Panamera base front, Jaguar XKR (X150) front. These are representative applications — always verify load index, speed rating, and any OE or vehicle-specific homologation requirements against your vehicle's door-jamb placard and owner manual. Staggered setups require front and rear sizes to be matched precisely to the manufacturer's specification; mixing aspect ratios or section widths on the same axle is not permitted. This tire is designed exclusively for summer use — do not use below 7°C, as the compound hardens significantly at low temperatures and traction is substantially reduced.
Installation and Performance Maintenance
Recommended rim width: 6.8J–8.7J. Set inflation pressure to the vehicle placard value — never inflate to the maximum pressure moulded on the sidewall. Performance tires are particularly sensitive to pressure deviations: under-inflation increases shoulder wear and reduces cornering stability, while over-inflation hardens the contact patch and reduces the tire's grip area during dynamic load transfer. For vehicles used on track, follow the vehicle manufacturer's or tire manufacturer's recommended track inflation protocol — cold track pressures typically differ from road pressures by 2–6 psi depending on circuit conditions. Inspect tread depth and sidewall condition after every track session; low-profile performance tires absorb circuit kerb impacts differently to road use and may develop internal carcass damage not visible externally. Minimum recommended replacement depth for wet-weather safety is 3mm.
Continental ExtremeContact Sport 02 — 245/45R18 XL 100Y
The Continental ExtremeContact Sport 02 245/45R18 XL 100Y is a flagship ultra-high-performance summer tire engineered for sports coupes, performance saloons, and mid-class sports cars. The second generation of Continental's ExtremeContact Sport builds on the proven foundation of its predecessor with an upgraded SportPlus compound, revised asymmetric tread geometry, and optimised carcass construction — delivering measurably shorter braking distances, higher lateral grip, and improved treadwear compared to the original ExtremeContact Sport in the same size class.
Size Profile: 245/45R18 — Sport 45-series profile
The 245/45R18 specification targets sports cars and performance coupes. Extra Load (XL) reinforced casing is suited to the demands of this application — The XL reinforcement stiffens the carcass for the higher inflation pressures used on performance variants and elevated axle loads, maintaining precise contact patch geometry under hard braking and cornering where standard-load casings can deform and reduce grip consistency. The sport 45-series profile provides balanced lateral stiffness and road feel: at 45-series, the sidewall height is 110mm — maintaining the balance of feedback and compliance ideal for performance driving in varied road conditions. The Y speed rating confirms structural integrity beyond 300 km/h, making this tire appropriate for vehicles with unrestricted top-speed capability.
SportPlus Compound — Dry Dominance
The ExtremeContact Sport 02's updated SportPlus compound is formulated for the temperature range of warm-weather performance driving — from cool spring mornings above 7°C to the heat generated in the tire contact patch during sustained track-pace cornering. The compound's polymer structure maintains grip consistency as the tire heats through its operating range, avoiding the sudden breakaway that older-generation summer compounds can exhibit when pushed beyond their thermal window. On dry roads, the rigid outer shoulder blocks resist deformation under lateral loading, keeping the contact patch engaged with the road surface through the full arc of a corner and delivering the confident, linear grip increase that performance drivers rely on.
Wet Performance and Safety
Despite its performance summer classification, the ExtremeContact Sport 02 delivers compelling wet-weather safety for a tire optimised primarily for dry grip. The asymmetric tread's inner zone features wide circumferential drainage channels and angled lateral grooves that route water away from the contact patch at speed, resisting aquaplaning and maintaining grip during sudden summer downpours. Micro-sipes in the tread blocks add biting edges for wet-road adhesion, shortening braking distances on wet tarmac while maintaining the block rigidity needed for dry-road lateral grip — a balance that makes the Sport 02 a more usable daily-driver tire than equivalent track-focused summer compounds.
Vehicle Compatibility and Fitment Examples
The 245/45R18 XL 100Y is widely used and approved for sports cars and performance coupes, including BMW M5 (F10) front, Audi RS4 (B8) front, Porsche Panamera base front, Jaguar XKR (X150) front. These are representative applications — always verify load index, speed rating, and any OE or vehicle-specific homologation requirements against your vehicle's door-jamb placard and owner manual. Staggered setups require front and rear sizes to be matched precisely to the manufacturer's specification; mixing aspect ratios or section widths on the same axle is not permitted. This tire is designed exclusively for summer use — do not use below 7°C, as the compound hardens significantly at low temperatures and traction is substantially reduced.
Installation and Performance Maintenance
Recommended rim width: 6.8J–8.7J. Set inflation pressure to the vehicle placard value — never inflate to the maximum pressure moulded on the sidewall. Performance tires are particularly sensitive to pressure deviations: under-inflation increases shoulder wear and reduces cornering stability, while over-inflation hardens the contact patch and reduces the tire's grip area during dynamic load transfer. For vehicles used on track, follow the vehicle manufacturer's or tire manufacturer's recommended track inflation protocol — cold track pressures typically differ from road pressures by 2–6 psi depending on circuit conditions. Inspect tread depth and sidewall condition after every track session; low-profile performance tires absorb circuit kerb impacts differently to road use and may develop internal carcass damage not visible externally. Minimum recommended replacement depth for wet-weather safety is 3mm.
Do you have a question about ExtremeContact Sport 02 245/45R18 XL 100Y?
Service life varies with driving style, alignment, rotation, and climate. The ExtremeContact Sport 02 carries a limited treadwear warranty up to 30,000 miles on non-staggered fitments, with a reduced rear-axle allowance on staggered setups. Aggressive driving, skipped rotations, or improper inflation can shorten tread life. Check pressures monthly, rotate at the recommended intervals, and correct alignment early to maximize miles.
For a max-performance summer tire, the ExtremeContact Sport 02 is tuned to keep noise in check. A computer-tuned tread pitch limits pattern resonance, and the rigid blocks resist cupping when alignment and rotations are on schedule. Any high-grip summer tire can be firmer and a bit more audible than a touring tire, but proper inflation and alignment preserve ride comfort. In practice, the Sport 02 delivers a refined sound level that works for daily commuting and long highway drives.
Summer tires like the ExtremeContact Sport 02 are intended for warm conditions. Avoid use and storage in freezing temperatures, and do not operate the tire on snow or ice. If the tire has been exposed to very cold weather, let it warm to room temperature before moving the vehicle to help prevent compound cracking. As a rule of thumb, switch to winter or all-season tires as sustained temperatures approach freezing, because the summer compound hardens and grip drops in the cold.
Many ExtremeContact Sport 02 sizes carry W or Y speed ratings, indicating high-speed capability when properly inflated and loaded. The exact speed symbol and load index vary by size, so confirm the marking on the tire sidewall and match or exceed your vehicle's original spec. Do not mix speed ratings on the same axle, and remember that real-world limits are set by laws, road conditions, and vehicle condition. Follow the vehicle placard for load and pressure to help maintain stability at speed.
Upsizing can add grip and sharpen steering, but it needs careful planning. Keep overall diameter close to stock, typically within about 3 percent, to preserve speedometer accuracy and electronic aids. Confirm wheel width and offset, and check for clearance at full lock and over bumps. Get a professional fitment check and a post-install alignment to avoid rubbing, tramlining, and premature shoulder wear.
The ExtremeContact Sport 02 is a summer tire focused on warm-weather grip and sharp handling. Ultra-high-performance all-seasons like the DWS06 Plus trade some ultimate dry grip for a broader temperature range and light snow capability. If you can switch to winter tires when it is cold, the Sport 02 delivers the most responsive feel in warm months. If you prefer one set year-round and face mixed weather, an ultra-high-performance all-season is the more practical choice.
