Continental EcoContact 7 S Selected as Original Equipment for New Volvo EX60
Continental has secured an original equipment (OE) tyre approval for the new all-electric Volvo EX60, with its EcoContact 7 S selected in a staggered 20-inch fitment. The announcement comes ahead of the EX60’s Australian launch, where the electric SUV will compete with the BMW iX3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC EV.
Continental has confirmed the following fitments for the new Volvo EX60:
Front: 235/55 R20 105T XL FR
Rear: 255/50 R20 109T XL FR
The Volvo EX60 is the fully electric counterpart to the popular XC60 and introduces Volvo’s new SPA3 dedicated electric vehicle platform.
The SUV uses an 800-volt electrical architecture, supporting rapid DC charging and improved energy efficiency.
According to Australian pricing and specification information published by CarsGuide in May 2026, the EX60 is scheduled to arrive locally in late 2026, initially with two Ultra variants, the EX60 P6 RWD and the EX60 P10 AWD.
So what is different between the Continental EcoContact 7 and EcoContact 7 S?
- EcoContact 7: Prioritises low rolling resistance, energy efficiency and reduced tyre noise.
- EcoContact 7 S: Retains the efficiency-focused design but places greater emphasis on handling, steering response and grip, particularly for more performance-oriented vehicles.
Both tyres belong to Continental’s EcoContact family and are designed to support the efficiency requirements of modern vehicles, including EVs.
Key differences
| Characteristic | EcoContact 7 | EcoContact 7 S |
|---|---|---|
| Primary focus | Energy efficiency | Efficiency and sportier handling |
| Rolling resistance | Key priority | Balanced against grip and handling |
| Steering response | Comfort-oriented | More performance-oriented |
| Wet grip | Designed for safe wet-road performance | Greater emphasis on grip |
| Road noise | Low-noise design | Low-noise design |
| Typical application | Efficiency-focused passenger cars and EVs | More dynamic passenger cars and EVs |
While the standard Continental EcoContact 7 places greater emphasis on minimising rolling resistance and maximising energy efficiency, the EcoContact 7 S uses a differently formulated Green Chili 3.0 tread compound to deliver more responsive handling, improved steering precision and enhanced grip.
Both tyres share Continental’s Smart Energy Casing, Aerodimples and Silent Pattern technologies, which help reduce energy consumption and rolling noise. The EcoContact 7 S therefore offers Volvo a balance between electric driving range, ride comfort and the handling characteristics expected of a premium electric SUV.
Multiple OE Tyre Fitments for the Volvo EX60
Although Continental has confirmed its EcoContact 7 S as an approved original equipment tyre for the Volvo EX60, official Volvo press photography also shows vehicles equipped with Pirelli Scorpion tyres.
The photographed fitments include 265/45 R21 108H and 265/40 R22 tyres, indicating that the EX60 is being presented with several wheel and tyre configurations.
It is not clear if the 21 and 22 inch fitments are staggered. This will be made clear when the official product information is released by Volvo
Porsche Approves Continental SportContact 7 and New SportContact 7 Force as Original Equipment
Continental has secured new original equipment (OE) approvals from Porsche, with the SportContact 7 and newly developed SportContact 7 Force selected for the Porsche Panamera G3 II. The announcement, made on 29 September 2026, introduces the SportContact 7 Force as a higher-performance alternative to the established SportContact 7, with both tyres approved in staggered 21-inch fitments for the Panamera.
Confirmed OE Tyre Sizes
Continental has published the following approved tyre specifications:
| Vehicle | Tyre | Front | Rear |
|---|---|---|---|
| Porsche Panamera G3 II | SportContact 7 | 275/35 ZR21 103Y XL FR | 325/30 ZR21 108Y XL FR |
| Porsche Panamera G3 II | SportContact 7 Force | 275/35 ZR21 103Y XL FR | 325/30 ZR21 108Y XL FR |
For Australian Porsche owners, the SportContact 7 and new SportContact 7 Force approvals highlight the increasing specialisation of ultra-high-performance tyres developed for individual vehicle applications.
Although both Panamera tyre options share identical dimensions, their different performance characteristics demonstrate why tyre size alone is not always sufficient when selecting a replacement tyre for a high-performance vehicle.
Technical differences
Based on Continental’s official September 2026 announcement:
| Characteristic | SportContact 7 | SportContact 7 Force |
|---|---|---|
| Positioning | Ultra-high-performance summer tyre | Specially developed, higher-performance variant |
| Tread design | Optimised for wet and dry grip | Adaptive tread pattern developed for more demanding performance |
| Rubber compound | High-performance compound | Enhanced compound |
| Handling | Responsive, precise steering | Greater emphasis on handling precision under extreme conditions |
| Power transfer | High-performance road applications | Specifically emphasises high levels of power transfer |
| Braking | Short wet and dry braking distances | No comparative braking figures published |
| Track capability | Performance-oriented road tyre | Track-proven performance with everyday usability |
| Wear and comfort | No direct comparative data | No direct comparative data |
What Makes the SportContact 7 Force Different?
While the standard Continental SportContact 7 is already designed for ultra-high-performance road driving, the new SportContact 7 Force takes the technology a step further.
Continental describes the Force as a specially developed version featuring an adaptive tread pattern and enhanced rubber compound, engineered to deliver greater handling precision, stability and power transfer under extreme driving conditions.
Giti Tire Secures Six Volkswagen Group OE Approvals for New GitiSynergy H3
Giti Tire has secured six original equipment (OE) nominations from Volkswagen Group for its newly developed GitiSynergy H3, expanding the tyre manufacturer’s presence across several popular European passenger vehicle and compact SUV models.
The approvals cover the Volkswagen Taigo, T-Cross and T-Roc, SEAT Arona, Škoda Kamiq and Škoda Octavia, with all six vehicles specified to receive the GitiSynergy H3 in size 205/55 R17.
Unveiled at The Tire Cologne 2026, the GitiSynergy H3 is currently an OE-only tyre developed to meet increasingly demanding vehicle manufacturer requirements for rolling resistance, wet grip, noise reduction and sustainability.
Six Volkswagen Group Models Approved
The latest nominations cover six models across three Volkswagen Group brands.
| Vehicle manufacturer | Model | OE tyre size |
|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen | Taigo | 205/55 R17 |
| Volkswagen | T-Cross | 205/55 R17 |
| Volkswagen | T-Roc | 205/55 R17 |
| SEAT | Arona | 205/55 R17 |
| Škoda | Kamiq | 205/55 R17 |
| Škoda | Octavia | 205/55 R17 |
GitiSynergy H3: Efficiency, Wet Grip and Sustainability
The GitiSynergy H3 has been engineered with a focus on reducing energy consumption while maintaining the handling, braking and comfort characteristics expected by vehicle manufacturers.
Its principal technical features include:
- Low rolling resistance: The tyre has achieved an A rating for rolling resistance under the EU tyre labelling system in its BMW-approved application, supporting reduced energy consumption.
- Wet grip performance: Giti confirms an EU A rating for wet grip for the Volkswagen Group OE tyre.
- Reduced road noise: The tread design has been developed to minimise tyre noise and improve cabin comfort.
- Aerodynamic sidewall: A specially engineered sidewall profile is designed to reduce aerodynamic drag and contribute to vehicle efficiency.
- Sustainable materials: The tyre incorporates recycled and renewable materials to help reduce reliance on conventional raw materials.
BMW iX1 and iX2 Also Receive GitiSynergy H3
The Volkswagen Group nominations follow Giti Tire’s approval of the same tyre family for the all-electric BMW iX1 and BMW iX2.
Both BMW models have been approved with the GitiSynergy H3 in size 245/40 R20 99Y XL, a significantly different application from the 17-inch Volkswagen Group fitments.
