Just as Henry Ford said customers could have his model T in any colour as long as it was black, the VW ID.7 can wear any 21-inch tyre you want – but only the Continental EcoContact 7 S is factory approved. Volkswagen has selected this as exclusive 21-inch original equipment fitment for its new, all-electric model in markets all around the world. Continental is supplying the tyre in 235/40 R21 98H XL and 265/35 R21 101H XL; both dimensions feature the ContiSeal puncture solution.
Announcing the supply deal, Continental describes the EcoContact 7 S as the “ideal tyre solution for electric vehicles such as the ID.7” due to its “maximum energy efficiency, low rolling noise, high mileage and powerful steering precision.”
Elaborating on the tyre’s characteristics, Continental says EcoContact 7 S owes its “special efficiency” to a new rubber compound and Smart Energy Casing technology. The EcoContact 7 S uses new materials in its casing, inner layer and tyre wall. These reduce friction inside the tyre, lowering rolling resistance and increasing energy efficiency, while the optimised design of the tyre wall enhances aerodynamics.
Golfing inspired aerodimples
Continental has combined various technologies to achieve this. One such element is the ‘aerodimple’ structure borrowed from golfing – recesses embedded in the sidewall that reduce the air turbulence behind the tyre. This reduces the amount of energy the vehicle needs to expend to move the tyre.
The newly developed ‘Silent Pattern’ tyre profile also results in low rolling noise, adds Continental. For this purpose, the tyre maker’s development team optimised the spacing and angle of the tread blocks. This helps to reduce road noise in cities for both electric and combustion vehicles. Continental explains that the tread design is “ideally matched” to the frequencies that typically occur at speeds of around 30 mph or 50 km/h, resulting in a more pleasant noise experience for passers-by and residents.
Wet traction & handling
It doesn’t take a Sherlock Holmes to spot the naming similarity with the Continental EcoContact 7. So, what’s the difference between the two tyres? According to Continental, compared with the EcoContact 7, the tread compound of the EcoContact 7 S “provides special traction and handling in the wet.”
EcoContact 7 S (Image: Continental)
