Michelin Pilot Sport EV vs Continental PremiumContact 7: In the electric vehicle tire arena, the battle between the Michelin Pilot Sport EV and the Continental PremiumContact 7 is electrifying. The Michelin Pilot Sport EV is engineered for high-performance, focusing on superior handling and extended battery range through reduced rolling resistance.
Meanwhile, the Continental PremiumContact 7 offers versatility, designed for both electric and conventional vehicles, emphasizing safety, comfort, and efficiency. This face-off highlights a choice between specialized performance and comprehensive excellence, making it a thrilling decision for EV enthusiasts. Who will come out on top? Let’s find out.
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Results: Michelin Pilot Sport EV vs Continental PremiumContact 7
Results below were taken from 2024 Auto Bild EV Summer tire test with a total of 9 tires tested, The graph below shows the comparison between Michelin Pilot Sport EV vs Continental PremiumContact 7 based on the relevant performance category. Michelin Pilot Sport EV 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 KIA EV6 which is an compact electric powered crossover SUV.
Wet
In wet conditions, the Michelin Pilot Sport EV and the Continental PremiumContact 7 show distinct performances. The Michelin Pilot Sport EV has a wet braking distance of 43.3 meters, which is notably longer than the Continental PremiumContact 7’s 37.7 meters, marking a difference of 5.6 meters in favor of the Continental.
When it comes to wet handling average speed, the Michelin records 56.2 km/h, slightly trailing behind the Continental’s 57.6 km/h. In the wet circle test, the Michelin completes the circuit in 12.95 seconds, marginally slower than the Continental’s 12.88 seconds.
For straight aquaplaning, both tires are almost equivalent, with the Michelin reaching a maximum slipping speed of 93.2 km/h compared to the Continental’s 93.4 km/h. However, in curved aquaplaning, the Continental shows stronger performance with a maximum lateral acceleration of 2.96 m/sec², surpassing the Michelin’s 2.7 m/sec².
Overall, the Continental PremiumContact 7 generally outperforms the Michelin Pilot Sport EV in wet conditions, offering better control and shorter stopping distances.
PremiumContact 7:
- +15% in wet braking
- +2% in wet handling (average speed)
- +1% in wet circle
- ~0% in straight aquaplaning
- +10% in curved aquaplaning
Dry
In dry conditions, the performance of the Michelin Pilot Sport EV and the Continental PremiumContact 7 also shows some differences. The Michelin Pilot Sport EV stops from 100 km/h in a distance of 35 meters, while the Continental PremiumContact 7 stops slightly shorter at 33.2 meters, giving the Continental a 1.8 meter advantage in dry braking.
When comparing dry handling speeds, the Michelin achieves an average of 70.1 km/h, which is slightly lower than the Continental’s 71.3 km/h. This indicates that the Continental PremiumContact 7 not only stops quicker but also handles better in dry conditions, offering a bit more speed and control than the Michelin Pilot Sport EV.
PremiumContact 7:
- +5% in dry braking
- +2% in dry handling (average speed)
Noise
In terms of exterior noise, the Michelin Pilot Sport EV produces 71.3 dB, which is slightly louder compared to the Continental PremiumContact 7’s 70.3 dB. This indicates a difference of 1 dB, with the Continental being quieter. This could make the Continental PremiumContact 7 a more comfortable choice for drivers sensitive to tire noise.
PremiumContact 7:
- +1% in exterior noise (+1 dB)
Battery Range
The Michelin Pilot Sport EV and the Continental PremiumContact 7 exhibit similar rolling resistance, crucial for battery range in electric vehicles. The Michelin, specifically designed for electric vehicles, has a rolling resistance of 6.55 N/kN. Surprisingly, the Continental PremiumContact 7, which is not solely EV-specific, manages to closely match this with a rolling resistance of 6.64 N/kN, showing only a slight difference of 0.09 N/kN.
This minimal disparity indicates that despite not being exclusively engineered for EVs, the Continental PremiumContact 7 performs comparably to the EV-specific Michelin Pilot Sport EV in terms of rolling resistance, thus potentially offering similar benefits in battery range efficiency.
PremiumContact 7:
- -1% in rolling resistance
Price
For the tire size 235/35 R19, the Michelin Pilot Sport EV is priced at €194, while the Continental PremiumContact 7 is slightly more affordable at €178. This makes the Continental tire about 9% cheaper than the Michelin. This price difference might make the Continental a more appealing option for buyers looking for a balance between performance and cost.
Tire size: 235/35 R19
- Pilot Sport EV: € 194
- PremiumContact 7: € 178
Difference: -9% more cheaper for PremiumContact 7.
Summary
As a tire expert, I find the Continental PremiumContact 7 to be the winner in this comparison with the Michelin Pilot Sport EV. Despite not being exclusively designed for electric vehicles, the PremiumContact 7 matches the EV-specific Pilot Sport EV closely in rolling resistance, which is crucial for maximizing battery range. Additionally, it outperforms the Michelin in wet conditions, providing shorter stopping distances and better handling, and also offers quieter operation. Factor in the lower price, and the Continental PremiumContact 7 presents a compelling value proposition, making it a versatile and economical choice for both electric and conventional vehicles.
Dr Edwin Pang