Continental launches SportContact 7 in Oz

CONTINENTAL Tyres has announced the arrival of its SportContact 7 ultra-high-performance tyre range for Australia.

Aimed specifically at enthusiast and performance buyers, the tyre was developed to “redefine performance standards” and has already won 11 high-profile independent tyre tests in global markets.

The German-engineered SportContact 7 arrives as a competitor to the likes of the Bridgestone Potenza Sport, Federal Evolution ST-1, Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport, Kumho Ecsta PS71, Michelin Pilot Sport 4S and Toyo Proxes Sport A.

It is offered for wheel diameters ranging from 18 to 23 inches.

According to its manufacturer, the SportContact 7 offers improved performance across all relevant criteria, including wet and dry braking at both low and high temperatures, which Continental says have improved by eight and six per cent respectively.

Importantly, the new tyre offers 17 per cent better mileage than its predecessor (the SportContact 6), without compromising on the tyre's grip and handling abilities.

Speaking to GoAuto this week, Continental Tyres Australia managing director, Mitchell Golledge, said the improvements in the brand’s soft BlackChili compound and tread design have been made to complement one another while serving to benefit the tyre’s rigid, low-profile design.

“A core feature of the SportContact 7 is the BlackChili rubber compound, which has been precisely adapted to the tread design,” he explained.

“This soft compound perfectly matches the rigid, low-profile tyre design and not only enables excellent handling characteristics, but also significantly increases mileage.

“The end user will benefit by experiencing improved braking performance in wet and dry conditions, increased mileage and excellent grip and handling capabilities – overall, providing exceptional driving pleasure.”

The BlackChili compound is manufactured at Continental’s facility in Korbach, Germany and blends a proprietary mix of polymers, carbon black materials and other filler materials to deliver improved acceleration, cornering and braking grip on wet or dry roads.

Interestingly, it does so while offering improved rolling resistance, and therefore mileage. 

Although the “sensitive and complex” compound is top secret, it combines both natural and synthetic rubbers with nanocarbon ceramic soot to ensure the tyre’s construction and tread maintain their shape for as long as possible.

Mr Golledge said the proprietary compound differs from other synthetic compounds in that it offers performance tyre buyers a ‘greener’ option, and forms part of Continental’s goal of becoming carbon neutral by the middle of the decade.

“Our latest-generation BlackChili compound is specially designed to achieve an outstanding performance leap in the ultra-high-performance segment. Most synthetic compounds are derived from petrochemical sources and therefore are not a greener solution,” he said.

“However, since 2020, Continental tyres has introduced our overreaching ambition in which we commit, at the latest by 2025, to achieve 100 per cent carbon neutrality, 100 per cent emissions-free mobility, 100 per cent circular economy, and a 100 per cent responsible value chain.”

While Mr Golledge would not say specifically which tyres the SportContact 7 aims to rival, he did say that he believes the technology at work within the product is a “game changer” and said third-party testing has shown how far apart the tyre is from its competition – on the road or on the racetrack.

“The SportContact 7 is specifically designed to meet the demands of high-performance vehicles. It is designed to be an ultra-high-performance on-road tyre, which can also be utilised at racetracks,” he outlined.

“The variety of vehicle fitments is wide ranging, including car categories across sporting, compact and high-range applications, right up to sports cars and supercars. As such, our strategy has been supporting vehicles within these segments, and at this stage our range consists of tyres ranging in diameter from 18- to 23 inches.”

In a show of strength, the SportContact 7 was recently selected to feature as the OE tyre to the Audi RS 6 Avant.

“The Continental SportContact 7 is a truly ground-breaking entry to the ultra-high-performance tyre sector, proving again and again to be leading the category in tyre tests across the board,” said Mr Golledge.

“We’re proud to announce the launch of this tyre in Australia – especially after the exceptional performance reviews it has attained across the globe.”

The Continental SportContact 7 is now available for purchase at all major Australian tyre retailers.