Barum has unveiled the Polaris 6, a new winter tire designed for passenger cars and SUVs and we already covered the release in separate article. Aimed at drivers seeking “reasonable performance at a reasonable price,” the Polaris 6 brings several advancements to the budget tire segment, including electric vehicle (EV) compatibility and enhanced performance in snowy conditions. Now Barum published an interesting video interviews in Czech with the Head of Development, Zdenko Saso and Michal Mudrák, the Program Manager, explaining the innovations and characteristics of the new tyre, which, as they said, took 5 years to develop with a core team of 20 people. Here are the key takeaways from the two videos.
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Innovative Tread Design: switch to V-shaped tread
One of the key features of the Polaris 6 is its redesigned tread pattern, which is now V-shaped, the same as Contintal, the mother company, uses for years.
“We’ve changed the tread design and improved mileage and traction properties thanks to a more aggressive, arrow-shaped tread pattern,” he explained.
This new design enhances grip on snowy surfaces, providing better control and safety during winter driving. The aggressive tread pattern also contributes to even wear, resulting in a longer-lasting tire.

Off-Shoulder Design: Enhanced Deep Snow Traction
The tire features an off-shoulder design in the shoulder area, inspired by mountainous terrains.
“The shoulder has an attractive design resembling a mountain peak, which also improves performance and traction in deep snow,” he noted.
This design not only adds visual appeal but also enhances the tire’s ability to navigate through deep snow, offering drivers increased confidence on challenging winter roads.

The “Snaqua Pocket” Innovation
An interesting feature discussed was the “Snaqua Pocket” concept.
“It’s a combination of snow and water pockets within the tread that can absorb extra amounts of water or snow, increasing performance on snow and water,” he described.
This design also contributes to maintaining traction as the tire wears.
“As the tread wears, new grooves appear in the shoulder area, enhancing traction on snow even as the tire ages,” he added.
Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake Certification
“We mustn’t forget the 3PMSF designation—the snowflake on a mountain peak—which is part of the sidewall,” he mentioned.
The Polaris 6 now carries the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) symbol, indicating it meets strict criteria for snow performance and which is now obligatory for winter tyres in Germany from November 2024.

EV Compatibility: Ready for the Electric Era
The Polaris 6 is Barum’s first tire in the Continental’s budget range to receive the EV-compatible designation.
“We focused on making this tire EV-compatible. It’s prepared for electromobility,” said the head of development.
This means the tire is designed to handle the unique demands of electric vehicles, such as higher torque, increased weight and extending their range.
Improved EU Tire Label Ratings
“We aimed to improve across most sizes. All sizes are in the ‘B’ category for noise and ‘C’ for wet grip. For rolling resistance, many sizes have moved up to ‘B’,” he detailed.
Barum focused on enhancing the tire’s performance across key EU tire label categories:
• Noise Level: All sizes have achieved a ‘B’ rating, which is really good for a winter tyre.
• Wet Grip: The tire maintains a solid ‘C’ rating, which is a standard for a budget winter tyre.
• Rolling Resistance: Many sizes have improved to a ‘B’ rating, contributing to better fuel efficiency. Some sizes are rated ‘C’, with very few in ‘D’. The previous model had “E”, so this is a serious improvement.
Enhanced Performance Over Polaris 5
Compared to its predecessor, the Polaris 5, the new Polaris 6 offers significant advancements:
• Increased Mileage
• Better Snow Performance
• Reduced Noise Levels
• Improved Rolling Resistance
“When comparing the spider diagram with the Polaris 5, you’ll see improvements in mileage, snow performance, noise, and rolling resistance,” he pointed out.
Wide Range of Sizes and Compatibility
The Polaris 6 will be available in 100 sizes, ranging from 14 to 20 inches, covering a wide array of passenger cars and SUVs.
Unique Design Exclusive to Barum
Also, a question about what the Continental’s role in the development process was and if the tyre isn’t just rebranded product from Continental group.
“While it’s quite common in the Continental group, for Barum, we decided to use a unique, exclusive design. There’s no risk of encountering another product on the market with the same tread pattern,” he assured.
While that is true, the new V shaped tread pattern slightly reassembles the last generations of the Continental winter tyres, but there are differences for sure.