Continental Tyres rolled out its latest generation MaxContact MC7 high-performance and premium tyre that focuses on the wet and unique driving conditions of the Asia-Pacific region.
The German tyre maker said a team of 25 engineers and material experts took more than 8,000 hours to test and develop the MC7.
In positioning, the MC7 is placed below the ultra high-performance SportContact7 and above the all-round UltraContact UC7.
Featuring Sport+ Technology, the MC7 is available from 16- to 21-inch sizes, making it suitable for upmarket passenger cars, sports utility vehicles and multi-purpose vehicles.
The MC7 beats the older MaxContact MC6 in lower noise, wet braking, fuel efficiency, dry handling and dry braking, while matching it in wet handling and mileage.
It is designed with Cornering Macro-blocks and ReFlex Compound to increase handling and cornering on dry roads and enhance steering response and precision.
The Cornering Macro-blocks redistribute force for a more controlled and stable drive aside from optimising tyre-to-road contact area to create a wider footprint.
In addition, the ReFlex Compound has been formulated with silica technology to maximise traction and reduce braking distance.
The compound enhances the transfer of kinetic energy to heat when braking, leading to shorter braking distances on both dry and wet roads.
Meanwhile, the 3D Laser-cut Sipes improves grip and braking in wet and rainy conditions, as well as reducing the risk of aquaplaning by quickly expelling water that flows through the tyre grooves.
The MC7 also gets the upgraded two-in-1 Noise Breaker 3.0 to break noises into smaller frequencies and prevent noise build up and intrusion into the car’s cabin for a quieter drive.
We recently had an opportunity to test out the MC7 during its launch at the Sepang International Circuit.
The tests were done using Mercedes-Benz and Mercedes-AMG models.
A well-known Italian model, which has been considered as a top sought-after tyre by enthusiasts, was used as a comparison.
The MC7 was tested for wet cornering, wet braking, slalom and dry handling.
In the wet cornering test, we had to lift off the throttle of the Mercedes-AMG GLA 35 4Matic we were driving at 60kph and let the compact SUV roll around the near-hairpin Turn 2 of the Sepang track which was continuously drenched by sprinklers.
With the MC7, we could drive around the wet turn with all tyres providing good traction and steering direction while avoiding all traffic cones.
When doing the same course later with another GLA 35 fitted with the comparison tyre, things went awry with the vehicle losing grip mid-way through and going off course, resulting in one or two cones getting knocked over.
It was an eye-opener to witness the MC7 treading through the wet course confidently and beating the renowned tyre model.
In the dry handling test, we drove a Mercedes-AMG C43 4Matic+ fitted with MC7 from the Sepang track’s Turn 3 to Turn 5 to feel the vehicle’ cornering, handling and steering response at high speeds.
Although there were no cars fitted with the comparison tyre to test against, we felt that the high-speed stability and steering control of the MC7 was enough to convince us of its performance.
In the slalom test, we were given the Mercedes-AMG A 35 4Matic sedan to race through a set course in the fastest possible time using the MC7 and the competitor tyre.
Delivering slightly better grip and steering control, the car using the MC7 was able to lay down more power onto the road and complete the course a few seconds quicker.
Finally, in the wet braking test, we drove a Mercedes-Benz CLE 300 4Matic Coupe up a straight course at 80kph and fully hit the brake when reaching a wet stretch.
Shod in the MC7, we were able to arrive at a complete halt a bit quicker and shorter versus the unit fitted with the comparison tyre.
For us, the MC7 improves upon the performance of its predecessor and can credibly take the battle to its immediate rivals.
