A new high-performance tire, unveiled in early September, Continental’s SportContact 7 is available in 42 models, for now, in sizes ranging from 19 to 23 inches, and has seen its performance improve throughout the company's internal tests. In fact, compared to the previous model, braking distances on wet roads have been reduced by 8% and 6% on dry roads, while mileage has increased by 17%. These numbers, as Continental points out, are the result of a long research on materials and an intense design activity. The SportContact 7, in fact, features three new technical specs: an adaptive tread design that adjusts to dry and wet road surfaces, a size-specific configuration, and the BlackChili compound, optimized to match the grip of the asymmetric profile.
"The goal was to have the best summer sports tire on the market for every vehicle class," said Burkhard Wies, Continental's international head of passenger tire replacement research and development. This resulted in greater efficiency on both dry and wet roads or on racetracks, while still achieving 17% more mileage than the previous model. In terms of fuel efficiency, thanks to the "C" rating of the European label, we make an effective contribution to sustainability." Analysing the new SportContact 7 in more detail, what stands out is that during straight-line driving the footprint ends in the area of maximum water expulsion, thus developing maximum grip on wet surfaces during braking and acceleration. On dry roads, on the other hand, when cornering the footprint shifts more towards the outer shoulder, which, thanks to innovative locking elements that allow limited tread movement, transmits forces for more stable handling. "The new SportContact 7 is the first product in the high-performance tire segment to be tailor-made for any type of vehicle," continues Wies. "Heavier cars require different solutions than lighter ones. For these reasons, the specifications of the SportContact 7 are tailored to each vehicle class.
To this end, we have developed new technologies, without neglecting the motorsport world, which are applied depending on the size of the tire, so that the driving characteristics typical of the SportContact family remains unchanged on any type of vehicle. This means having tailor-made solutions for different vehicle classes. Thus, we are able to adapt sidewall stability, handling and casing design, grip in a variety of situations and the ability to safely reach high speeds." The third hi-tech component of the new SportContact 7 is the BlackChili rubber compound. This soft compound combines with the tire's very stiff, low-profile structure to ensure increased mileage. To achieve this, Continental's structural and chemical engineers had to balance several conflicting goals. The result of their collaboration is an innovative compound that coupled with the tread design, promises an exhilarating driving experience.
