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Michelin Pilot Sport All-Season Plus & Pilot Sport PS2 ZP: Continued Drive for Perfection
Recently, Michelin unveiled two of their latest tire -- the Pilot Sport All-Season Plus and the Pilot Sport PS2 ZP. Automotive Rhythms was invited to Michelin’s Laurens Proving Grounds, a 3,330 acre track and testing facility located in Laurens County, South Carolina, where they develop and test their products. This special opportunity provided a unique perspective that the average consumer would not be able to replicate. We were able to analyze and experience first hand how the tires perform in a variety of conditions. And take my word, we put the tires to the test with exercises consisting of dry handling, wet handling, wet braking and overall comfort. We also compared the Michelins head to head against similar class offerings from Goodyear and Bridgestone in the same exercises.
First up was the Michelin Pilot Sport All-Season (A/S) Plus. With a tread pattern very similar to the original Pilot Sport, it was engineered with enhancements that resulted in improvements in overall performance, wet grip and tread life. These are also the first of Michelin’s Z-Rated Ultra High Performance Tires to be backed with a 45,000 mile warranty. For the first exercise, we were taken to a circular track that was continuously sprayed by in-ground sprinklers making it slick and wet. We were then asked to push the tires to the limit in order to achieve the best possible lap times. This exercise allows the driver to evaluate the tire’s wet lateral grip, vehicle balance and steering response. On average, the times with the Michelin Sport A/S Plus were 2-3 seconds better than the competitors. However, the hosting tire company for similar tire tests always have better results. We then traveled to an area where several inches of standing water was positioned on a slight curve. We were instructed to maintain a consistent steering position and a speed of 45 mph driving into the standing water to evaluate the tires resistance to hydroplaning. Again, the Sport A/S Plus provided more lateral grip and vehicle stability by maintaining more of the intended course. The Pilot Sport A/S Plus tire goes on sale in the U.S. on September 1st. It will be available in sizing options from 16” to 22”.
 Next up was the Pilot Sport PS2 ZP, an Ultra High Performance Summer Tire. And Michelin whipped out the Chevy Corvettes for these tests! We were taken to an area with a dry autocross track. The Pilot Sport PS2 ZP’s provided significantly better steering response, traction, stability and overall control which allowed us to go faster and get the peak performance from the ‘Vettes. We also evaluated wet braking. Accelerating to 45 mph, we measured the distance it took to stop on the wet surface. On average, the Sport PS2 ZP’s stopped approximately 8-10 feet shorter than the competitors. Next was the comfort loop, were we evaluated how the tires performed on a variety of surfaces that included uneven concrete, potholes, etc. Again, the Michelin tires excelled. The Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 ZP will be available October, 2008.
So exactly how is Michelin able to achieve these major enhancements to overall performance? One of the reasons is their patented “Tri-Fusion” technology which precisely places three specialized rubber compounds across the tread, helping elevate a vehicicle’s performance in virtually every type of weather.
As a whole, Michelin’s tires outperformed the competition in all areas but significantly solidified their superiority in wet surface handling. Michelin continues to prove they drive for perfection.
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