The Continental SportContact 7 has (fairly) recently entered the scene, promising to redefine the standards of performance tyres. Originally, the Continental SportContact 6 was the go-to choice for many performance car owners, but with the advent of the SportContact 7, the game has changed.
After six months running a set of SportContact 7’s on our 981 Cayman, it’s time for a proper review. So I’ll be focusing on the Continental SportContact 7 and giving a bit of a comparison stat wise to the competition, the much lauded Michelin Pilot Sport PS4S.
Continental SportContact 7
The Continental SportContact 7 is a UUHP summer tyre designed for high-performance vehicles. Even at high speeds, it promises excellent grip, precise steering, and stability.
Performance and Handling
The SportContact 7 shines when it comes to performance. It boasts a dry grip rating of 97% on Tyre Reviews and a wet grip rating of 92%, that’s a pretty high score in either condition. The tyre’s handling is equally impressive, with a rating of 91%.
User reviews have commented on dynamic, stable cornering and precise steering behaviour.
The Continental SportContact 7 is rated A for fuel efficiency and A for wet weather performance, making it one of the top-rated tyres in the market. It also boasts a noise level of 71 db, which is impressive for a performance tyre.
Compared to the old Goodyear Eagle F1s, which were well past their best, the difference in the wet was night and day.
Never have I felt so confident in a rear wheel drive car in wet weather. The usual tippy toes around roundabouts in fully wet conditions are a thing of the past. Naturally, you can’t drive like you would in the dry, but the twitchy unease that used to go with RWD + rain is no longer a worry.
Comfort and Wear
When it comes to comfort, the SportContact 7 scores a respectable 76%, indicating a relatively smooth ride. However, the tyre’s wear rating is at 71%, so it might not last as long as some other tyres on the market. Despite this, 81% of users would buy it again, that’s quite a high level of satisfaction.
Now we’ve only covered 2,000 miles, so it’s still early days on the wear front. However, in terms of road noise, the Contact 7’s are far quieter, which is especially noticeable on long stretches of motorway or A road.
Michelin Pilot Sport PS4S
The Michelin Pilot Sport PS4S is a well-known name in the world of performance tyres. It’s renowned for its superior comfort, efficiency, and resistance to aquaplaning.
Head-to-Head: Continental SportContact 7 vs Michelin Pilot Sport PS4S
When compared head-to-head, both tyres have their strengths. In dry conditions, the SportContact 7 outperforms the Pilot Sport 4S, managing to brake 0.56m earlier. In wet conditions, the SportContact 7 also dominates, with a lap time around 8 seconds quicker than the Pilot Sport 4S on the Nordschleife – which is telling in itself.
However, the Michelin Pilot Sport PS4S excels in comfort and efficiency, delivering better noise-dampening and fuel economy. As mentioned before, it also has a noteworthy resistance to aquaplaning, enhancing safety during wet drives or pushing it on track in the damp and rainy UK.
In terms of price, the SportContact 7 is currently around 18 – 24% cheaper than the Pilot Sport 4S, making it a more affordable option compared to Michelin.
Deep Dive into the Technology
The SportContact 7 uses Continental’s BlackChili Compound, which reduces rolling resistance while improving grip, extending the car’s performance capabilities and leading to more efficient driving.
Fuel economy on a long run in the 3.4 litre 981 is always pretty good, even on the old tyres, but figures currently sit at 34MPG over a 100 mile A-B road jaunt, and about 21 MPG when pushing on during a spirited drive.
Tyres can degrade with age, but Continental has addressed this by using a unique tread pattern that maintains optimal performance throughout the tyre’s life – much like Michelin do with the ePrimacy range. Even after 20,000 miles, Conti claim braking distance will remain below the legal homologation level for a new tyre.
On the other hand, the Michelin Pilot Sport PS4S uses Dynamic Response Technology to ensure optimum transmission of steering to the road. It also features a new mix of functional elastomers and hydrophobic silica for excellent wet grip and improved longevity.
Continental ContactSport 7 Conclusion
Both the Continental ContactSport 7 and the Michelin Pilot Sport PS4S are excellent choices for high-performance tyres. The SportContact 7 impresses with its superior grip and handling, while the Pilot Sport PS4S stands out for its comfort and efficiency…on paper.
But after SportContact 7’s winning a slew of awards right across Europe in a number of prestigious magazines and websites, testing them to the nth degree, its hard to ignore the noise. While P4S may be the ‘go to’ for many, the truth is that Continental is beating them hands down in nearly every department.
Then comes the price. Currently on Black Circles, a 265/35/20 Y Michelin Pilot Sport P4S would set you back £300-315. The comparable Continental? £254.
I know where my money will go when it comes time to replace these.
Thank you to Continental UK for providing the tyres for review.
Sidenote – Do not take your car to Kwik Fit. Upon fitting these they took a chunk out of what was a set of pristine alloy wheels that had never been refurbished. I mentioned it at the time, and they denied it had happened just moments before. After informing the UK PR for Kwik Fit, the staff at the station still denied the damage, and insinuated it was already present when I took the car in. If they treat a journalist like this, average Joe wouldn’t stand a chance at any sort of compensation.
If you must use Kwik Fit take a manager out to view your wheels before tyre fitting, and take photos.
