The introduction of the Michelin Pilot Sport PS4 S summer tire marked the completion of the model range overhaul, entirely designed for sports modifications of serial passenger cars. In the new "ranking" this model is at the very top, being the flagship. Its target audience is owners of cars with the highest dynamic characteristics. Accordingly, the size range was formed, consisting of more than three dozen types for wheels with a mounting diameter of 19 and 20 inches. According to representatives of the French tire concern, it covers about 90% of this market niche.
Bi-Compound Technology
A significant part of the technical solutions was borrowed from the world of ring racing, not only car but also motorcycle. One of such "borrowings" was the rubber compound. There are two of them in this model. The outer side of the tread, namely the small section of the tread in the shoulder area, is made of a rubber compound that is slightly stiffer than in the middle. Due to this, the transverse accelerations that occur during maneuvering are transmitted to the power elements of the carcass much faster, which has a positive effect on the responsiveness of the steering. In addition, this compound contains elastomers that reduce heat, which reduces rolling resistance and wear.
In turn, about two-thirds of the tread closer to the inner shoulder area is made of a rubber compound with a high content of "silica". In addition, its composition includes other types of functional elastomers. They give the tread the ability to literally cling to even wet roads due to the dense fitting of even the smallest irregularities on its surface.
How successful the use of such a sophisticated solution for a civilian tire was can be judged by the tests, where the braking distance of this model was compared with similar products from other leading manufacturers. The difference in favor of Pilot Sport 4 S was from 0.83 meters on dry to 0.1 meters on wet pavement. To come to a complete stop, this tire needs from 27 to 33 meters, which none of its competitors could demonstrate.
Steering Precision and Trajectory Stability
The use of "bi-compound" improved the efficiency of other technological solutions used in the regular Pilot Sport 4. As an example, one can cite Dynamic Response. This technology increases the precision of steering and trajectory stability due to faster transmission of transverse acceleration forces to the carcass elements. This ability is provided by an additional synthetic cord, which is a wide (from one sidewall to the other) mesh woven from aramid and nylon. The presence of a very stiff but lightweight " substrate" allowed this model to outperform all previously fastest competitors in tests for lap time. On a 2.6-kilometer track, the advantage was from 0.4 to 1.39 seconds.
Key Features of the Michelin Pilot Sport PS4 S Summer Super Tire
- Bi-compound technology, previously used in auto and motorcycle sports, improves trajectory stability and grip on dry roads and reduces braking distance on wet roads;
- extremely fast and accurate reactions to the driver's actions simplify and facilitate car handling at high speeds;
- an increased contact patch of a square shape, an even distribution of external load over it, increase the tire's service life up to 50,000 kilometers.
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