Continental SportContact 7 vs Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect: The stage is set for a thrilling showdown between two giants in the tire industry: the Continental SportContact 7 and the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect. The Continental SportContact 7 emerges as a versatile ultra-ultra high performance (UUHP) tire, engineered to deliver exceptional handling and stability across a variety of driving conditions.
On the other side, the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect, designed with a razor-sharp focus on racetrack performance, maintains its street legality, offering drivers the best of both worlds. This battle poses the ultimate question: Does the Continental SportContact 7 have what it takes to outperform the race-bred prowess of the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect?
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Results: Continental SportContact 7 vs Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect
Results below were taken from 2022 Sport Auto UHP, UUHP and Semi Slick Tire Test with a total of 10 tires tested, The graph below shows the comparison between Continental SportContact 7 vs Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect based on the relevant performance category. Continental SportContact 7 was set as a reference hence at the 100% mark.
Note that for both wet & dry handling evaluation, the average lap speed was used instead of the standard lap time & subjective rating. The tire size of interest is 235/35 R19 which is a common tire size for Audi R8 & Volkswagen Golf R. You can check out our latest tire size table for more information. The testing vehicle is a Hyundia I30N which is a very fast car relative to its size.
Dry
In terms of dry performance, both the Continental SportContact 7 and the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect showcase impressive capabilities, but with slight differences that could impact driver preference. When it comes to dry braking, the SportContact 7 demonstrates a shorter stopping distance at 33.5 meters from 100 km/h to 0, compared to the Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect which stops at 35.8 meters. This 2.3-meter difference could be crucial in scenarios where every meter counts.
On the dry handling front, both tires perform remarkably closely. The SportContact 7 reaches an average speed of 133.3 km/h around a handling circuit, just marginally slower than the Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect, which clocks in at 133.7 km/h. This minor difference of 0.4 km/h suggests that both tires provide nearly equivalent levels of grip and responsiveness in dry conditions.
Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect:
- -6% in dry braking
- ~0% in dry handling (average speed)
Wet
In wet conditions, the Continental SportContact 7 and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect exhibit some distinct differences that affect their performance. Starting with wet braking, the SportContact 7 pulls ahead significantly, stopping from 80 km/h to 0 in just 27.5 meters, whereas the Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect requires 37.5 meters. This substantial 10-meter difference highlights the SportContact 7’s superior braking ability in wet conditions.
When evaluating wet handling, the SportContact 7 maintains its advantage with an average speed of 87.7 km/h on a wet handling track, outpacing the Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect which manages 83.4 km/h. This difference of 4.3 km/h suggests better grip and control for the SportContact 7 in challenging wet conditions.
For wet circle performance, where lateral grip is tested, the SportContact 7 again leads with a speed of 7.23 m/s compared to the 6.93 m/s managed by the Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect, indicating stronger lateral stability in wet conditions.
Looking at straight aquaplaning, the SportContact 7’s slipping speed is 69.2 km/h, higher than the 66 km/h achieved by the Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect, showing better resistance to aquaplaning in straight-line scenarios.
In curved aquaplaning, however, the performance is closely matched, with the SportContact 7 reaching a maximum lateral acceleration of 2.1 m/sec², slightly less than the 2.2 m/sec² of the Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect. This near parity suggests that both tires offer comparable safety and performance when encountering curved aquaplaning conditions.
Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect:
- -27% in wet braking
- -5% in wet handling (average speed)
- -4% in wet circle
- -5% in straight aquaplaning
- +5% in curved aquaplaning
Noise
When it comes to exterior noise performance, both the Continental SportContact 7 and the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect are evenly matched, each emitting a noise level of 68.2 decibels. This equality suggests that neither tire offers a noise advantage over the other, making them comparably quiet options for drivers concerned about tire noise impact.
Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect:
- 0% in exterior noise
Rolling Resistance
In terms of rolling resistance, the Continental SportContact 7 shows a more efficient performance compared to the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect. The SportContact 7 has a rolling resistance of 8.4 N/kN, which is lower than the 9.4 N/kN recorded for the Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect. This difference of 1.0 N/kN indicates that the SportContact 7 may offer slightly better fuel efficiency and a lighter impact on the environment due to reduced energy loss during driving.
Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect:
- –11% in rolling resistance
Price
The Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect is positioned at a higher price point compared to the Continental SportContact 7, reflecting its specialized racetrack-focused design. For the tire size 235/35 R19, the SportContact 7 is priced at €164, whereas the Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect costs €274. This makes the Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect about 40% more expensive, underscoring its segmentation as a premium, performance-oriented tire designed for high-speed track use while still being street legal.
Tire size: 235/35 R19
SportContact 7: € 164
Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect: € 274
Difference: +40% more expensive for Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect.
Summary
In conclusion, the Continental SportContact 7 emerges as the deserving winner in this comparison with the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect, especially when considering overall performance and value. The SportContact 7 excels with superior wet performance, lower rolling resistance, and significantly better wet braking distances. Additionally, it matches the Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect in noise levels and nearly equals its dry handling performance, all at a considerably lower price point. These advantages make the SportContact 7 a more versatile and economically sensible choice for drivers seeking top-tier performance across a broader range of conditions.
Dr Edwin Pang