The new Continental EcoContact 7 and EcoContact 7 S summer tyres, successors to the WhatTyre Eco Tyre of the Year 2024, will be launched in 2025. Featuring Conti’s latest efficiency-boosting technologies, the new EcoContact series tyres predominantly achieve EU tyre label ratings of A for rolling resistance, as well as A or B for wet braking and rolling noise, and are suitable for both electric vehicles, indicated by the Continental EV Compatible logo, and internal combustion engine (ICE) powered cars. The tyres, whose impending arrival we reported last year, also offer lower levels of noise.
Continental has increased the efficiency of the EcoContact range by using the new Green Chili 3.0 rubber compound and Smart Energy Casing technology, already used in its current AllSeasonContact 2 all-season tyre, for the EcoContact 7 and 7 S. The tyres also use new materials in the tyre carcass, inner layer and tyre wall. These materials reduce friction inside the tyre, thereby lowering rolling resistance and increasing energy efficiency.
Conti adds that the tyres contain technology derived from golf balls to improve their dynamics. Golf balls are equipped with 300-450 small dimples, which reduce air resistance, increasing the height, length and precision of their flight. The tyre manufacturer transferred this concept to the sidewalls of the tyres in the form of the Aerodimple structure. Dimples embedded in the tyre’s sidewall reduce air turbulence behind the tyre meaning that the vehicle uses less energy in making the tyre roll.
The Continental EcoContact 7 is particularly suited to efficient and quiet urban running (Photo: Continental)
Quiet running for urban areas
Continental developed the Silent Pattern tread for the EcoContact 7 and EcoContact 7 S to help reduce road noise in cities. The Silent Pattern optimises both the spacing of the tread blocks and the angle of the blocks. The resulting tread design matches the frequencies that normally occur at speeds of around 30mph and contributes to a more pleasant noise perception for passers-by and residents.
These technologies were combined with the Green Chili 3.0 tread compound, adapted to the EcoContact 7 and EcoContact 7 S to take into account the different priorities of the two models. The EcoContact 7 compound focuses strongly on low rolling resistance, which ensures its high energy efficiency. Meanwhile the compound of the EcoContact 7 S focuses on wet grip and handling and also offers greater steering precision and a higher grip level.
With these two versions, Continental says it is able to meet the different needs of various vehicle manufacturers and drivers. Both tyres’ efficiency, low rolling noise and high mileage make them particularly suited to electric vehicles. The EcoContact 7 and EcoContact 7 S have already received original equipment approvals from well-known vehicle manufacturers such as BYD, Mercedes and Volkswagen.
Continental EcoContact 7 (Image: Continental)
