Michelin's new generation Pilot Super Sport tyre is officially the fastest production car tyre in the world, according to independent tests by TUV SUD, writes Brian Byrne.
In addition, new technologies developed from using the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race as a test 'laboratory' have helped produce a tyre for Porsches, BMW and Ferrari that equals its predecessor in wet conditions performance while improving dry weather stopping by 12 percent.It also has a substantially longer life.
The performance of the tyre was graphically demonstrated today to journalists in tests at the Dubai Autodrome, using Porsche Carrera 3s, Audi TT quattros, and a variety of BMW and Mercedes-Benz performance cars.
The new Pilot Super Sport retains the same rolling resistance characteristics as its predecessor and will sell for the same price as the tyre that ceases production in January.
It took four years to develop. Computer simulation software developed for the aerospace industry was used in the initial design of the tyres. Product development involved parallel work with Porsche, BMW and Ferrari, with Michelin's own panel of test drivers.
The previous generation Pilot Super Sport was launched in 2001, but it has been modified some 30 times since as technological developments arrived from the annual €500m invested by Michelin in research and development.
