Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV: the tyre for high-performance SUVs

Given the evolution of the SUV market and sales, Michelin has decided to launch a version of its Michelin Pilot Sport 4 sports tyre adapted for high-performance SUVs.

The Michelin Pilot Sport 4 are currently one of the most recommended tyres for sports cars. But more and more vehicles can be classified as sporty and need this type of tyre in the SUV segment.

Until now, Michelin’s solution here was the Latitude Sport 3. But the tyre manufacturer has played its cards well by adapting the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 to meet the demands placed on tyres for SUVs. It must be taken into account that these are cars heavier than a passenger car and with a higher centre of gravity, which means the tyre has to bear greater loads. And the new Pilot Sport 4 SUVs arrive to replace the Latitude Sport 3.

New member of Michelin’s Pilot Sport family

Basically, we can say that the new Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV uses all the technologies of the Pilot Sport 4 for passenger cars, with the modifications necessary to increase robustness for its application on an SUV.

Among the most notable technologies, in addition to an innovative rubber compound, is the asymmetric tread, with an outer part designed for dry asphalt, and an inner part for wet conditions. The tread design allows the pattern and compounds to interact to optimise contact with the road; Michelin calls it a “reactive” tread.

It also retains from the Pilot Sport 4 for passenger cars the belt built with aramid and nylon, called “Dynamic Response”, to provide greater precision while driving. Michelin has also paid special attention to comfort, reducing rolling noise. And to design, maintaining the “premium touch” velvet finish on the sidewall.

A new benchmark among sports tyres for SUVs

The measurements that tyre manufacturers commission from independent certification bodies, almost always Dekra and TÜV SUV, are among the few references users have when evaluating the differences between a tyre and its competitors.

In this regard, the data provided by Michelin is conclusive. The tests were carried out by comparing the new MICHELIN Pilot Sport 4 SUV with the following SUV tyres:

-Bridgestone Dueler HP Sport
-Dunlop SportMaxx RT2
-Hankook Ventus Prime 2
-GoodYear Efficient Grip SUV
-Continental ContiSportContact 5 SUV
-Pirelli Scorpion Verde

Against them, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV come out on top in practically all measurements, with up to 1.8 metres shorter on average than its competitors in dry braking from 100 km/h. This figure rises to 3.15 metres in the wet braking test from 80 km/h with new tyres, increasing to 5.2 metres when the test is carried out with worn tyres.

Two other relevant data points are the wet-surface performance, through a test on a 1.1 km circuit, in which the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 is 2.9 seconds faster than the average of its rivals. As for durability, the estimates from the tests carried out by Dekra reveal that the Pilot Sport 4 SUV has a mileage performance about 9,000 km higher compared with the average of its main rivals.

Here you can check the features, available sizes and prices of the new MICHELIN Pilot Sport 4 SUV range, which during 2019 will cover a total of 53 sizes, for rims from 17 to 22 inches.