With the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 officially going on sale at the start of 2016, but not launching to the press until later in the year, we were keen to get some miles on a set to answer the miriad of questions already appearing in our inbox.
The solution? Our long term Skoda Octavia VRS, which fortunately wears one of the launch sizies - 225/40 R18. Four tyres and 500 miles later, we're able to give our first impressions of the new Michelin Pilot Sport 4.
The History
Before we get to the driving details, it's worth understanding how the Pilot Sport 4 is being positioned. The Pilot Sport 3 wasn't the direct successor to the Pilot Sport 2, that was actually replaced by the Pilot Super Sport, but instead the Pilot Sport 3 actually slotted in between the Pilot Exalto 2 and Pilot Super Sport, aiming more at the hot hatch market, and moving the balance towards wet grip and comfort.
The Pilot Sport 4 builds on the success of the Pilot Super Sport, plus also takes lessons Michelin have learnt as the sole tyre supplier for the Formula E series, meaning the new Pilot Sport 4 is once again more inline with the "Pilot Sport" ethos. Think of it as a brother to the Pilot Super Sport, and a cousin of the Pilot Sport 3.
The First Drive
The new Skoda Octavia VRS has a torquey turbocharged engine, delivering 227 bhp and 258 lb-ft torque through the front wheels. This leads to a challenging job for the front tyres, but allows us to quickly get a good impression of how the new tyre performs.
Less than a mile out of the tyre garage, the improvement over the OE fitment Continental Sport Contact 2s were apparent. On the cold greasy roads where the old tyres would spin up in a straight line in second gear, and sometimes even in third, the new Michelins had no such problems. This made exiting junctions, or making progress around roundabouts a much safer, more predictable and faster experience.
The overly stiff VRS chassis also highlighted another big plus of the tyre, comfort. The Michelins were noticeably quieter, and crashed far less over road imperfections at all speeds. One trade of comfort is often steering feel and speed, and while the Michelins were slightly slower to turn than the old tyres, and offered slightly less feel, it seemed like a more sensible compromise for the VRS chassis.
Longer Term
Now we've got a few more miles on them we're still just as impressed. Grip is improved in all conditions, the balance of the car is still neutral with a preference for understeer when really pushed, and wear looks to be non existent after 500 miles.
We'll keep an eye on fuel economy and wear over the coming months, but as always, feel free to leave your own review if you were lucky enough to get one of the early sets of tyres!
@jamiemcwhir I put the Pilot Sport 4 on my BMW 740Ld MSport in Utah, USA and the massive levels up in performance experienced blew my mind and reset my loftiest levels of admiration and utter amazement of Michelin Sport Tyres. I put a full set of 4S on my 997 4S and loved the improvements in durability and less noise, but those were in no way as massively levels of sophistication and vastly felt improvements as on the 7. BMWs dynamic drive software engaged with the L wheelbase is ... unmatched in stability, sportiness, and bottom line longitudinal safety, but putting the Pilot Sport 4 onto this vehicle was like adding a completely additional level of programming and adaptability that deeply compliments and augments the driving dynamics that BMW has spent many focused years in forging and perfecting as practically possible.
I LOVE to experience never before experienced levels of performance of a great vehicle simply by employing your incredible key product onto a precision vehicle. Thank you sir!
Now onto my question. Temperature. It's going to get into the 20s and 30s (F) here in Utah. What are the limits.
Will there be a 205/40x17 at or after release?
It's not yet in the roadmap, so at least a year away. Michelin will continue to make the PS3 in this size for the foreseeable future.
Without going into extensive industrial details, the way we made SuperSport was very specialised and on very unique machines. The downside to that was it was more difficult to increase volumes and number of sizes, without massive delays. So what was intended to be a mid-life refresh of the Pilot Super Sport, became the Pilot Sport 4. it's only downside performance wise is a small difference ( a couple of tenths over a 3-4km circuit on absolute dry lap time) but in any other way the Pilot Sport 4 is superior to Super Sport.
We've spent years perfercting applying those industrial techniques to the point where we can scale them up and apply them more easily. Hence what we can do now, and have done with the Pilot Sport 4, we couldn't have done 5 years ago.
It's not related at all really to Pilot Sport 3, which you could never have compared to the SuperSport really
Im glad if its not a direct replacement for PS3. But it seems that its not a replacement for PSS either.
So PS4 will slot between both? Quite confusing I would say. I know PS3 sucks, but is there a need to create another product level? And the chosen name PS4 will create yet another round of confusion. I mean, what will be the eventual successor of PS3 called? I cant imagine a company as big as Michelin let themselves into such a trivial confusion. By the way, right now I am a satisfied user of Yoko's AD08R.
I don't understand what you mean. The Pilot Sport 4 is an updated Pilot Super Sport in 17" & 18", so yes, it's a direct (and improved raplacement for the PSS in 17& 18" and in sizes we never did the PSS in), so how's it not a PSS replacement?
We carried out extensive internal and external studies on the Product range names. Yes, we should have been more assertive in our launch material that the direct link was there between PSS and the PS4, but also bear in mind that probably 95%+ of people who buy the Pilot Sport 4 have no experience of the more niche PSS hence it really isn't that big a link.
It wasnt clear to me (and a lot of people that care) that PS4 is the replacement for PSS. Some other sources claimed that it isnt the definitive replacement for PSS. The flip flop naming convention isn't helping.
Its seems that PSS will soldier on (even after launching PS4) and get its own replacement later. PS4 will slot below the PSS but above the PS3.
If this PS4 is a direct replacement of PSS, why on earth dont they named it PSS2 then? I dont believe that PS4 is PSS replacement. Michelin would make this link clear as daylight if it was.
Sorry but Michelin just suck balls big time in simple thing as giving a proper classification / name for their products.
All this just because back then, their wanna cash in on the popularity of PS2 by bestowing what really was the Pilot Exalto 2 / Pilot Preceda 2 replacement's as PS3 when they really shouldn't.
Err, no. The naming is confusing. The higher the number the newer the tyre? Then Michelin jinks between numbers and words. You might know the range backwards as that's all you've got to think about but imagine this four-fold when someone might be considering Michelin, Bridgestone, Continental and Pirelli.
The various press releases couldn't be clearer that the PS4 is absolutely based on the PSS, and represents the lessons learned from that tyre, with a slightly lean towards making it an all round road tyre, with some loss of absolute track pace over the PSS in the dry.
It's a more sport oriented and high performance tyre in every respect than the PS3, which still seems to be in full fat production for all cars that need a less high end performance summer tyre.
Hi Jamie, can you suggest if mixing PS4 and PSS on different axles is a sensible idea at this stage? The relevant size PS4 for my rear tyres has yet to be released, but is available in a PSS.
David can you give me details if the sizes and what car it is?
seems my reply didn't go through!
I have a 987 Boxster, and it runs 235/40/18 and 265/40/18, but sadly I can't get matched supersports in those sizes. Currently have PS2 N rated tyres, but the fronts are looking old and cracking slightly, rears look healthy.
Not one to put a decade old tyre technology on my car, would rather upgrade to PSS or PS4.
So I've bought some 235/40/18 in the new PS4 95 ZR(Y) XL to put on the front, on the basis that it sounds like the matching rear size should be out early next year. If it's not, would you suggest running the 265/40/18 PSS is likely to be OK?
David.. Ok.. that helps
The only N rated Porsche tyre we do at the moment is the PS2.
The Pilot Sport 4 is a direct descendant of the SuperSport. So we offer Pilot Sport 4 in 235/40-18 at the moment, and the rear 265/40-18 comes in January 2018. So if you needed a full set, you'd be stuck until Jan.
Running the SuperSport on the rear would be OK, as the tyres are the same family, in axle pairs, but as we swap the PSS over in Jan when the PS4 comes out, you'd find you couldn't get a matching tyre once the PS4 is out
How urgent are your rear tyres?
Not urgent. The rear ps2 are perfect. I'll just run the fresh 4's on front and get the rears on when the UK gets the sizes in stock
Thanks for the info
Was a huge fan of the PSS so hope these feel similar
What's the deal with PS4 vs PS4 S ? If PS4 in current 18 sizes is the PSS replacement, why are there 18" sizes in PS4 S coming out?
I must say that even I'm starting to feel frustrated by Michelins rather confused approach to these new models and the lack of clarity on what replaces what.
what exactly is the difference between the two? And why all the smoke and mirrors?
David
There's no smoke and mirrors.. and it's quite simple really so let me explain.
Pilot Sport 4 S are made on very unique machines that we don't have in every factory. The Pilot Super Sports were only made in 18" in factories in the USA. Some.. and it was only a couple of sizes.. were imported into Europe as the difference in performance between PSS and PS3 was significant. That difference is virtually negligible between PS4 and PS4S (and also PS4 and PSS), therefore that previous 18" production in America, has moved over to PS4S (from PSS)
In Europe we make a huge number of tyres, hence as the two markets can easily live with the market they have (USA and Europe) we don't plan to bring the PS4S in 18" or below to Europe.
The Pilot Sport 4 is a massive step over the PS3, hence the slot that the PSS used to fill between PS3 and PS Cup2 has gone.
Unless you are doing very very regular track work, the PS4 in 18" is way better than the PSS in 18" in every way apart from pure dry lap time, and even then it's tenths of a second. Plus if you do regular track work I'd be saying go PS Cup 2 anyway
We've made industrial advances too with the PS4 so trying to keep a great product and a more simple offer in Europe is the reason
Thanks for this, I sort of understand where you're coming from, but I'm sure you can understand from a consumer keen to have the best and most appropriate product for the purpose, there has been a huge lack of clarity about the construction, and application for both these tyres.
Your UK site lists both but doesn't really explain why i'd have a 20" PS4 S over a 20" PS4. And given I do the occasional bit of track work, I'd probably have just chosen slightly odder sizes in PSS and kept those rather than running the PS4.
The lack of overall clarity around the launch of these two models in the UK / US and international markets has caused me (and a number of my performance tyre purchasing friends) quite significant confusion.
David
We don't set out to confuse but there are numerous reasons why things aren't straightforward
It's about production capacity, market sizes, homologations, and changes to the level of difference between the new products
The PS4 has won the first 5 magazine tests it's been in so don't think it's in anyway inferior
Some larger sizes will appear in a PS4 simply as it suits the vehicle they are being approved or designed for
I wish we had the production capacity to make every single choice for every single size but that isn't the case.. much as it isn't the case for most other tyre companies
The difference you'd find on track between PS4 and a PS4S isn't anything like as large as you'd think..
Well
As Michelin's technical manager in the UK I felt it was only fitting and just that I posted some response to the comments below
I'm not going to go through the ins and outs of the Pilot Sport range 10 years ago when I worked in different division for the company in France
All I can comment on is the new tyre range
Pilot Sport 4 shares all its DNA with the pilot super sport range, and has virtually nothing in common with the Pilot Sport 3.
I've got loads of internal test data that show significant gains over the Pilot Sport 3 and where the differences lie with Pilot Super Sport. We wouldn't launch a product that wasn't an improvement
Will consumers feel a difference? I'm sure they will
I did on our test tracks (not in a lab) and our test data is provided and cross validated by TUV who are the biggest independent test body in Europe
The Pilot Sport 4 has already gained significant OE approvals and time will tell whether the market takes it too it's heart like the Super Sport and Cup 2 ranges
So whilst there may have been issues in the past you feel justified in discussing. I wasn't in the car technical division at that stage so won't discuss something that's not my place to do so
Where do the differences to the Super Sport lie, then?
I too believe PS4 is just a direct replacement of PS3 in every aspects. There might be a little increase in dry bias (which can only be evidenced in lab test) in order to justify the attempt of relating it with PSS, but it will be so insignificant in real use / on road.
Michelin seems to believe that the commercial success of PS3 is due to 'PS3' formula (more comfortable and accessible 'performance tyres').
But they are sorely mistaken. Earlier, a whole lot of PS3 users thought PS3 is the direct replacement of PS2 (PS2 was a top performance, highly-rated road tyre). Since PS3 is reasonably-priced for the promised/perceived performance and with the expectation that it will be better than PS2, PS3 turn to a bigger commercial success than PS2 ever was. Unbelievably, majority of PS3 users couldn't differentiate the differences of PS2 and PS3 performance for one reason or another.
But over time, the ugly truth about PS3 'below par' performance (especially in the dry and it's comfort bias) spread around and I believe only the uneducated or blind die-hard Michelin fans continue to 'rate' PS3.
Enthusiasts had moved on to better AND cheaper alternatives. We realise than PS3 was the replacement for the mediocre Exalto / Preceda series. Michelin has been 'dishonest' on purpose.
IMO, PS4 is a desperate attempt to reverse the PS3 fallout and I don't think they will be successful.
Michelin is still quite arrogant for reserving their proper performance road tyre (PS2 replacement = PSS) to an exclusive audience.
I reckon disappointed ex-PS3 users wouldn't be tricked twice when it come to Michelin Pilot Sport series.
The Pilot Sport 4 is definitely a replacement of the Pilot Sport 3 witch was a replacement of the Pilot Exalto 2. Just look at the tire sizes available:
Pilot Sport 4: 17" and 18", width: 205mm to 275mm, speed rating W to ZR(Y) (270kph to >300kph)
(as usual, more sizes should be available in a year)
Pilot Sport 3: 15" to 20", width: 195mm to 285mm, speed rating: V to ZR(Y) (240kph to >300kph)
Pilot Super Sport: 17" to 23", width: 205mm to 345mm, speed rating: Y to ZR(Y) (300kph to >300kph)
So:
Energy E3A -> Energy Saver -> Energy Saver +
Pilot Primacy -> Primacy HP -> Primacy 3
Pilot Exalto -> Pilot Exalto 2 -> Pilot Sport 3 -> Pilot Sport 4
Pilot Sport -> Pilot Sport 2 -> Pilot Super Sport
Pilot Sport Cup -> Pilot Sport Cup + -> Pilot Sport Cup 2
Sure, cars are evolving and the tires are evolving with them. But a new Golf GTi still replace an old Gold GTi even though she has the performance of an old Porsche.