Say Hello to the Continental SportContact 7
Introducing the new SportContact 7 – Continental’s latest tyre for the U-UHP segment. As the 7th generation in its SportContact series, Continental is offering a sustainable, safe, yet extremely high performing tyre to motorists. Available in 42 sizes for rim diameters between 19 and 23 inches, it is already turning heads and for very good reason.
In the six years since the release of the previous iteration of the SportContact, Continental claims it has made significant improvements in braking in both wet and dry conditions. Specifically, wet braking distances have been reduced by 8% and dry braking has been reduced by 6%. Not only this, but Continental also claims that the tyre’s track performance has seen a 10% improvement while its achieved mileage has increased by 17% (according to tests done with the size 245/30 R20).
As for the SportContact 7’s rolling resistance, its EU label grade of C puts it among the best of the best in the U-UHP tyre segment. This also provides sustainability which was one of Continental’s core aims when developing the tyre. The SportContact 7 also provides notable improvements in both its handling as well as its grip in wet and dry conditions, making it an extremely versatile tyre.
When asked about the principles behind their latest SportContact tyre, Continental said that they wanted to be able to provide “absolute driving pleasure with maximum safety and sustainability in the U-UHP segment.” A key factor in meeting these aims was the development of the tyre’s unique BlackChili compound. It was specially formulated to compliment the characteristics of the SportContact7’s asymmetrical tyre profile, leading to an all-round cohesive and intuitive end product.
While this all sounds great on paper, when actually put to the test, the SportContact 7 has undoubtably proved itself as a serious player in the ultra-ultra-high performance segment of tyres. When tested by popular tyre review website Tyre Reviews, it held its own and came first place, outshining other top shelf tyres such as the Bridgestone Potenza Sport and the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S. Reviewing the SportContact 7 after the tests, Tyre Reviews stated the SportContact 7 was “The best for wet braking and handling, as well as the fastest in the dry tests.”
Despite Continental’s focus on the U-UHP segment for the SportContact 7, it is also targeting an assortment of different vehicles. This includes models like the Audi RS series, BMW M series and cars such as the Ford Focus III RS and Mini Cooper S Clubman, while some of its other key targets are supercars such as the Porsche 4 S GT and an array of Lamborghini, McLaren and AMG models.
“The new generation SportContact allows us to offer motorists who love high performance a safe product, oriented towards handling and high mileage,” stated Enno Straten, head of strategy, analytics and marketing tyre replacement EMEA at Continental. “The new product will be the flagship and the first representative of our seventh generation of summer tyre expected to be launched in the coming years.”
Furthermore, Burkhard Wies, head of research and development for passenger tyre replacement at Continental said “The goal of our development was to have the best summer sports tyre on the market for each vehicle class. This has allowed us to obtain a much more effective driving style on dry and wet roads or on the track, and at the same time an exceptional mileage that improves by 17% that of the previous model. As regards fuel efficiency, thanks to the C category of the European label, we make an effective contribution to sustainability.”
To view our SportContact 7 range, click here.
