Continental PremiumContact 7 review
The Continental PremiumContact 7 remains a benchmark for wet braking and balanced performance
When we tested this size three years ago, the impressive Continental was our champ, delivering standard-setting performances in all the most important tests: wet braking, wet handling and dry braking. This time, however, it topped just one category and has slipped into second place. But the outright win it did score was in the most crucial test – straight-line wet braking – where it set the standard, at just 25.1 metres, 1.2 metres better than the second-placed Pirelli.
The Continental was second on the wet circle and a strong fourth on the wet handling circuit, less than a second off the lap time of the leading Falken. Turn-in to both fast and slow corners was crisp, traction and braking were strong and it demonstrated a remarkably neutral balance, making it fast and utterly vice-free.
It was not so impressive in aquaplaning, though, ranking sixth in both tests. It was second in dry braking, only 0.4 metres behind the best, and third in dry handling, where its character was just as sound as it was in the wet: it proved quick and accurate, and calm and collected, making it an easy tyre to drive briskly and confidently. Second-lowest cabin noise adds to the Continental’s list of attributes, but it only came sixth for rolling resistance, some way behind the leading Michelin in this section.
Blackcircles says
“Drivers rate this 4.7/5 with more than 470 ratings. They praise the quiet and comfortable ride, as well as good grip in wet and dry conditions.”
Results
| Continental PremiumContact 7 | ||
| Overall | 99.70% | |
| Price | £106.99 | |
| Wet braking | 100 | 1st |
| Wet handling | 99 | 4th |
| Wet cornering | 99.8 | 2nd |
| Straight Aquaplaning | 90.5 | 6th |
| Curved aquaplaning | 87 | 6th |
| Dry braking | 98.9 | 2nd |
| Dry handling | 99.1 | 3rd |
| Noise & refinement | 99.4 | 2nd |
| Rolling resistance | 83 | 6th |
