autodriver is totally correct on MC7 as low-end UHP. We are not even considering UUHP, which is different class and NOT to be confused as "high end UHP".

MC7 is budget UHP even compared among the peer of same class like PS5. MC7 is APAC only, not sure Africa, definitely not officially distributed in Europe.

Continental real UHP is PC7. UUHP is SC7 that goes direct comparison with PS4S

A bit of history, MC5 used to be touring tyre. They started to market it as UHP from MC6 onwards.
Same PC5 used to be premium touring, where UHP was SC5 and UUHP was SC5P. At 6th gen, they merged touring/UHP into PC6 as premium touring/UHP, and UUHP as SC6, eliminated the SC6P

PremiumContact is a very successful UHP/touring merge IMHO, where PC6 turn-in is a lot more crisp, direct, precise than PS4 and PS5, while retaining much of touring tyre comfort. The only downside is the mileage, but that's vs PS4 only, its mileage still align with the rest of UHP players in the market.
**This is my personal first hand experience, not reading online review.

I can not say the same for MC merge. My take since PC is mostly 19"+ only, Continental strategy is if one have smaller wheel size, they go MC for budget UHP.
This is awkward, if one have no budget constrain and want smaller wheel, why force them to downgrade, and not offer eg:. PC7 for 17".
If one is on tight budget, want to save tire cost... this group of buyer is generally not in the market for UHP. They probably go UC that offers very wide range of sizes.
Also there is a compelling choice of PS5, it is a no brainer to not consider PS4/PS5 17", 18".

Bridgestone line up is also a bit off vs Michelin.
RE004 is entry budget UHP. But their UHP Potenza Sport performance is between PC7 and very close to SC7 at least in dry.
Their new tyre Potenza Race is supposedly better than SC7 in handling track heat in casual track day (wanted to try this, but I'm eyeing on PSS5 for road use when my SC7 worn, also Potenza Race has no direct size for my car, I need to drop 40 profile to 35. Maybe just stick to SC7).

With SC7 rivaling Cup2 for short track and time attack, I believe Potenza Race is even closer to Cup2. Again close doesn't mean yes, there is always RE-71RS direct Cup2/Cup2R competitor.
So modern UUHP is something as good as Max Performance (MP - I call them semi-slick, although Quazacolt don't agree... but we are both cool about it ) over short track distance or one off time-attack, endurance they overheat too fast. They often used as wet tire for track day to replace MP tyre.

One should not call UUHP as just "high end UHP". Then for most UHP is just UHP.

There are some marketed as UHP, but not quite UHP... that's MC7 and RE004... haven't tested MC7, but Mc6 was a totally meh, balance but whoever think MC6/7 is UHP please test drive PC6/7.
RE004 is different where very good in dry, like putting all the skill point in dry and scarify others.

Hahaha, long story again... but I initially just wanted to point out autodriver is not comparing to UUHP when he/she said MC7 is budget UHP.

I think when I said MP, I'm referring to EHP in your list. I'm referring to Cup2, RE71-RS etc.

My take is.
- UUHP lack of the endurance vs MP (or EHP in your list) if trying maximize the pace, but modern UUHP can keep up over short distance/time before overheated.
- Agree UHP shifted slightly to touring, UUHP pull a gap in performance. The marketing UHP vs UUHP is clearer, but UHP vs Premium Touring is getting blur.
- This is because UUHP is now good enough for daily drive, with premium GT having such good NVH. I'm super happy of having UUHP as daily driver.
- UHP DNA from the beginning is still different from tyres having Touring DNA but shifted closer to UHP.
- Maybe some generations later, no more different between them?

Size available + no budget constrains... PC7 is the way to go. But there's hefty price gap between MC7 vs PC7 + PC7 is 19"+ only
Maybe for vast majority of population, PC7 is off limit. Most shop don't carry this vs MC7 and PS5 always ready stock.
MC7 is much cheaper than PS5 if shop not throwing price... thus become poor man UHP (for me it is still a Premium Touring in it's DNA and performance gap vs PC7 judging from MC6 vs PC6 both I've driven).

PS5 inch towards touring with UHP DNA. Road feel PC7 is sharper than PS5, tyre twist a lot less (judging from my PC6 vs PS5)
Imagine when I tested my friend car (exact same model) with PS5, I started to feel all the rubber twist that I couldn't perceive previously (there's where I learned).
Then he jumped into mine with SC7... he was like WTF...

If low mileage, drive until rubber harden and still plenty of tread left (that's me)... SC7 grey import price is similar to PS5... unfortunately no size for your car

This post has been edited by constant_weight: Nov 26 2024, 12:56 PM

Ok, point taken. I'll insist MC7 improves, so as PC7, always PC7 sit above MC7 as the real and better UHP from Continental. But yes, given chance I'll test it.

Opposite with you, I find PS5 side wall very very soft. Turn in has obvious rubber twist.
I get the progressing stiffer part, I felt it within 2 corners off the Elantra Sport that I'm very familiar. Although to me it is more like 2 stages, soft initially but after certain compression it hold up.

But my feeling of it towards Touring is mainly the slow turn-in, rubber twist before the car move. Where competitors PC7, F1A6, Potenza Sport all making their new offering significantly sharper.

Performance wise, it is a miracle. I never test it myself, but so many folks getting lap time on par with PS4. Again what we both always said... good handling feel is not always means good grip.

I think a lot of review rate NVH, the noise part base on instrument that gauge loudness, don't take that literally.
There is another factor which is frequency, same loudness but less annoying. Different people sensitive to different frequency noise.
From the review and official spec sheet PS5 and SC7 both are 72 db. My ears say no way they are the same, lol.

This post has been edited by constant_weight: Nov 26 2024, 07:00 PM