Continental MaxContact MC7 tested on 900 Nm BRABUS

Different regions of the world present different challenges to tyre companies. Road conditions in particular will differ in quality and so will environmental conditions, requiring more specific attention to provide optimum performance and durability.

The new high-performance MaxContact MC7 from Continental is an example of a tyre being developed for a specific region, in this case the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region which has hotter conditions and also lots of rain.

A team of 25 engineers and others tyres specialists spent 8,000 hours on the development program with testing conducted in real-world conditions at 4 locations, with total mileage of test vehicles equivalent to 11 times around the world.

One of the endurance tests used a BRABUS supercar – the 750 Bodo Buschmann Edition ‘1 of 25’ – and showed what the tyre is capable of even with an engine generating torque of up to 900 Nm and speeds of up to 315 km/h. The test took place on the Contidrom circuit, the tyremaker’s legendary test track in Germany.

The BRABUS 750 special edition has SportContact 7 tyres as original equipment but for the test, MaxContact MC7 tyres with sizes of 275/35R21 on the front and 315/30R21 on the rear were fitted.

“The BRABUS 750 Bodo Buschmann Edition ‘1 of 25’ is a tribute to the legendary automotive refinement luminary and the founder of BRABUS, Bodo Buschmann. Although we have used numerous Continental tyres in the past decade, we are excited to have the very first Continental APAC-dedicated ones tested in this high-performance roadster which has a very special place in our heart,” said Sven Gramm, Director Marketing and Communications at BRABUS.

The new MaxContact MC7 combines maximum control with dynamic steering precision, thanks to its performance-oriented Sport+ technology. There is a unique macroblock structure for cornering stability and ReFlex compound design, giving the tyre excellent adaptability and firm grip on the road. The silica technology in the ReFlex compound enables shorter braking distances on both dry and wet roads.

A wide contact area effectively distributes the forces to other parts of the tyre, while laser-cut 3D sipes improve grip and braking behaviour in wet and rainy conditions (which will be of much value in Malaysia). Water flowing through the tyre grooves is quickly drained away, reducing the risk of aquaplaning.

Another feature of the MaxContact MC7 is Noise Breaker 3.0 which makes for less noise from the tyres. As sound waves travel through the grooves, the Noise Breaker 3.0 within each groove interrupts them, breaking them up into smaller frequencies so that noise levels do not build up and intrude into the cabin.

“The new MaxContact MC7 is for the drivers who take the everyday driving experience to the max,” said Dalibor Kalina, Head of Continental Replacement Tyres APAC. “The fact that it performs so well on the Brabus 750 supercar speaks for its exceptional performance.”

Continental’s flagship SportContact 7 UUHP tyre now in Malaysia