Michelin has just announced a new ultra-high performance (UHP) tyre to their line-up, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S (PS4S). Not to be confused with the Pilot Sport 4 (PS4), the PS4S is positioned higher in the line-up and is set to replace the Michelin Pilot Super Sport series.
The PS4S was developed in partnership with BMW M division, Ferrari, Ford, Mercedes-AMG and Porsche to engineer a tyre to best complement the high performance vehicle line-up from these esteemed manufacturers. As such, the Michelin PS4S, designed to provide maximum performance and safety on all surfaces, was born.
With Michelin’s Total Performance philosophy in mind, engineers applied a ‘bi-compound technology’ that uses a new hybrid compound on the outer thread for high levels of dry grip while the inner thread uses a new silica and functional elastomers compound to provide consistent grip on wet surfaces.
In a comparison test conducted by an independent organisation – TÜV SÜD in Germany, the PS4S came out on top in four key segments – dry braking, wet braking, lap time and longevity. The test was conducted with 255/35/R19 section tyres against five other main competitors – Bridgestone Potenza S001, Continental SportContact 6, Dunlop Sport Maxx RT2, Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 and Pirelli PZero Nero GT purchased on the European market.
In the dry braking test, the PS4S came to a stop from 100km/h in 33.66 meters, besting its closest competitor by 0.83 meter. In the wet from 80km/h, the PS4S takes only 27.73 although Goodyear trails behind by only 0.1 meter. Around a 2.6km track, the PS4S took 1 minute and 20.33 seconds beating its rivals by 0.4 seconds to 1.39 seconds. Perhaps the most significant edge the PS4S has over its competitors is longevity. The PS4S is the only tyre to break the 50k mileage barrier at 52,032km while its closest rival only manages 48,910 km. That’s almost 2,600 km lesser than the PS4S!
Like all of Michelin’s high performance tyres, the PS4S also gets Michelin Premium Touch Technology® at the sidewalls. This not only gives the tyre a velvet-like tyre writing to make it easier recognisable but also acts as a rim protector that cushions the rims from coming into contact with the kerb.
Sales of the new Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S will begin in January 2017 in Europe and March 2017 in USA. The PS4S comes in 34 different sizes ranging from 19 to 20 inch in diameter, effectively dropping the 18-inch sizes that was previously available for the Pilot Super Sport.
For those who are keen on having Michelin’s UHP tyres for smaller wheel diameters, maybe the Michelin Pilot Super Sport 4 (which we will be testing real soon) may be of your interest. For now, catch what GC Mah was up to at the 2016 Michelin Pilot Sport Experience here!
IMAGE GALLERY
