Michelin Pilot Sport 4, we put it to the test

Michelin has now put on sale the evolution of its high-performance tyre aimed at sports saloons and high-end cars, we are talking about the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 which replaces the Pilot Sport 3. Michelin has drawn on all its experience as supplier to Formula E (electric racing) and has applied it in creating the new Pilot Sport 4. At Highmotor we want to go further and put this revolutionary tyre to the test. To do so, over one year we will analyse its behaviour, its feel and its performance, and we will report on it regularly here at Highmotor.

Michelin Pilot Sport 4: from competition to the road

The new Michelin Pilot Sport 4 is a tyre designed for sporty or high-end saloons, so it is available for wheels from 17 inches. It is a tyre that replaces the Pilot Sport 3 and the Pilot Sport 2. Its development has involved the collaboration of manufacturers such as Audi, Ford or Volvo, since these tyres will fit their sporty models or flagship cars. Another key pillar has been the experience Michelin gained in Formula E electric racing, which is reflected in the new design of the Pilot Sport 4.

Among the important innovations, the Dynamic Response technology stands out, which improves the tyre’s response to steering inputs and its stability at high speeds thanks to a new belt with a hybrid aramid and nylon reinforcement. The Pilot Sport 4 uses a new high-density fibre, very resistant to tension, which controls centrifugal force at high speeds and keeps the tyre’s contact patch with the road constant. This technology is already used on Michelin Super Sport tyres and is now adapted to the Pilot Sport 4, based on information gathered from more than 3,000 vehicles that Michelin fitted with sensors across Europe to record how people drive.

Another area where the French brand has worked meticulously is wet grip. It introduces a new rubber compound incorporating functional elastomers and silica, and its wide, deep longitudinal grooves provide a high level of water evacuation. As a result of all this, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 is the best tyre in its category for wet braking compared with its main rivals: from 80 km/h to 0 km/h on wet asphalt, the Michelin tyre needs 25.54 metres, while the best competing tyre needs 30 centimetres more.

Finally, the design of the tyre sidewall has been carefully developed to offer a different finish from the rest of the tyres on the market, and a more premium look, according to the French brand. In addition to the rim protector, the logo has a velvet effect, which Michelin has named Michelin Premium Touch. As for durability, it remains typical of a Michelin tyre, above what other manufacturers offer, in this case at least 30,000 km according to the manufacturer’s own studies.

All available sizes

The test begins

Now that we know better the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres we will fit on our vehicle, we are going to look in detail at how this tyre test will be carried out. The test details are as follows:

• Vehicle: Mercedes C-Class (W204) 220 CDI 170 CV AMG Edition
• Tyre sizes: 225/45 R17 (front) 245/40 R17 (rear)
• Test location: Galicia
• Duration: 1 year and approx. 15,000 km
• Type of route: Mixed road-city (25%), road (50%) and motorway (25%)

At an authorised centre, in just one hour they removed the old tyres and fitted the new Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres. In four months, coinciding with the summer, in dry weather and after roughly 5,000 km driven on the tyres, we will tell you our impressions behind the wheel to date, on all types of roads and in all conditions. You are also welcome to send us any questions about the tyres.

Photos | Michelin Spain and the Highmotor team