After five years on the market, the Michelin Pilot Super Sport has been replaced. Meet the new Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S.
Sadly Michelin have chosen to drop the much loved "Super Sport" branding in favour of the making the product family more uniform. The "4 S" name could mislead you into thinking this tyre has all-season (or "four season") capabilities, but rest assured the new 4S is just as focused as the Michelin Pilot Super Sport was.
The product launch will take place in January 2017 as the tyre becomes available on the replacement market, and you can be sure we'll be the first to drive on the new Pilot Sport 4S as we're extremely excited about the replacement for one of our favourite tyres.
For now, here's the press release, with some rather interesting comparisons made by the independent test organisation TUV.
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S - Press Release
Designed for sports cars and high performance saloons, the MICHELIN PILOT SPORT 4 S offers unparalleled driving pleasure thanks to its exceptional steering precision and directional stability. It provides maximum performance and safety on all surfaces due to its optimized tread footprint which grips the road in all situations, even the most extreme.
The MICHELIN PILOT SPORT 4 S also displays excellent braking performance on both dry and wet surfaces, thanks to the use of ‘bi-compound technology’. The outer part of the tread uses a new hybrid compound that promotes grip on dry ground while the inner part uses a new compound with silica and functional elastomers which allows the tyre to offer consistent grip on wet ground. This high performance on dry and wet surfaces, often conflicting characteristics in the world of super sports tyres, here have advanced together.
Dry Braking
The new MICHELIN PILOT SPORT 4 S takes only 33.66 meters (110.43 feet) to brake from 62 mph to a complete stop, when the best of its direct competitors takes nearly a meter more (+0.83 m, 2.77 feet).
Wet Braking
On a wet track 27.73 meters (90.98 feet) is enough to brake from 50 mph to 0. This shows it once again as the best, almost 2.50 m (+8.20 feet) shorter than the worst performer.
Lap Time
On a 2.60 km (1.62 mile) circuit, the MICHELIN PILOT SPORT 4 S proved to be between 0.40 seconds and 1.39 seconds faster per lap. It’s almost a second quicker on average, over this relatively short distance. One second seems insignificant; however the driving experience will be completely different.
Longevity
Wear tests conducted by the Dekra Test Center demonstrated that the new MICHELIN PILOT SPORT 4 S has the best longevity in its class, and it was the only tyre to break the 50,000 km (31,068 miles) barrier.
The MICHELIN PILOT SPORT 4 S is also among the first tyres in this category to score an A rating on the European labelling scale (19 inch tyre) in braking distance on wet surfaces. This label is intended to inform tyre buyers of the performance of the tyres they are planning to buy and also gives them information on the energy efficiency of the tyre and road noise level. The MICHELIN PILOT SPORT 4 S also passes a new milestone in terms of reducing road noise, while providing good levels of driving comfort.
The Passion, On Road and Track
Michelin is involved in several motor sport disciplines worldwide and uses this competition as a laboratory for development of future tyre technologies, which are then used in the development of its production tyres. Data collected during racing, mostly from ‘confidential’ tyre technologies or rubber compound recipes, enable Michelin’s engineers to validate their findings. The MICHELIN PILOT SPORT 4 S, which is set to be one of the most successful sports tyres ever designed by Michelin for the general public, uses construction methods and materials directly developed in competitions such as the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and its flagship event the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Formula E, and the WRC.
Designed To Equip the Most Distinguished Sports Cars
Michelin is working hand in hand with the world’s leading car manufacturers to provide the most suitable tyres to complement the performance of their most exclusive models. Thus, the MICHELIN PILOT SPORT 4 S has been developed to satisfy the owners of cars from manufacturers including BMW M, Ferrari, Ford, Mercedes-AMG, and Porsche.
Velvet-Like Sidewalls and Rim Protectors
Like all of Michelin’s high-end tyres, the MICHELIN PILOT SPORT 4 S uses Michelin Premium Touch Technology® to enhance the appearance of the sidewall design. This is a sign of the recognition and esteem in which these tyres are held in the exclusive automotive world. Moreover, while the vast majority of sports cars are equipped with larger diameter wheels and tyres with low profile sidewalls, the MICHELIN PILOT SPORT 4 S has a practical and aesthetic rim protector that will, in many cases, avoid contact between the rim and the curb.
The new MICHELIN PILOT SPORT 4 S will be available from January 2017 in Europe and from early March in the United States. It will be available in in 19 and 20 inch diameters, covering 92% of the market.
19" PS4S Launch Sizes
225/35 ZR19 88 (Y) XL
225/40 ZR19 93 (Y) XL
225/45 ZR19 96 (Y) XL
235/35 ZR19 91 (Y) XL
235/40 ZR19 96 (Y) XL
245/30 ZR19 89 (Y) XL
245/35 ZR19 93 (Y) XL
255/30 ZR19 91 (Y) XL
255/35 ZR19 96 (Y) XL
265/30 ZR19 93 (Y) XL
265/35 ZR19 98 (Y) XL
265/45 ZR19 105 (Y) XL
275/30 ZR19 96 (Y) XL
275/35 ZR19 100 (Y) XL
285/35 ZR19 103 (Y) XL
295/30 ZR19 100 (Y) XL
295/40 ZR19 108 (Y) XL
305/30 ZR19 102 (Y) XL
325/30 ZR19 105 (Y) XL
20" PS4S Launch Sizes
235/35 ZR20 92 (Y) XL
235/45 ZR20 100 (Y) XL
245/30 ZR20 90 (Y) XL
245/35 ZR20 95 (Y) XL
245/40 ZR20 99 (Y) XL
255/35 ZR20 97 (Y) XL
255/40 ZR20 101 (Y) XL
255/45 ZR20 105 (Y) XL
265/30 ZR20 94 (Y) XL
265/35 ZR20 95 (Y) XL
275/30 ZR20 97 (Y) XL
275/35 ZR20 102 (Y) XL
275/40 ZR20 106 (Y) XL
285/30 ZR20 99 (Y) XL
285/35 ZR20 104 (Y) XL
295/30 ZR20 101 (Y) XL
305/30 ZR20 103 (Y) XL
315/35 ZR20 110 (Y) XL
345/30 ZR20 106 (Y)
Can 275/35 ZR 19 be a substitute for 275/40ZR19
You would be changing the rolling radius of the tyre, so it is not an advisable modification.
So now I see the tires in size 275/40 20's listed on the UK website but not at tirerack yet. Duty costs would be expensive I bet :) I want these tires but not that bad. Can we hurry up and get these in the states already.
That tire is not coming to the US. I just had a chat with Michelin US and they told me that is a Europe only size. Too bad as that is the size I am looking for myself.
If there's increased demand I'm sure Michelin US would review their position on that, so keep asking :)
Well looks like they are coming to the US after all. They are on backorder on TIRERACK.com but a few people got the first batch and they should get more soon. 420 is alot for a tire but they sure are amazing.
Would they be any good for a Range rover sport ? And will they do the size 275/45 R21? I am desperate for a decent tyre for this that is not noisy or over hard. My scorpian verdes are horrid in summer but no tyre for this has good reveiws
If they make them in your size and load rating they'll be suitable assuming no offroad. Whether they'll make them in SUV sizes we don't yet know, there's certainly no plans for 2017.
will they ever be available on 17 inch rims?
Extremely unlikely, there are currently no plans for 18".
You ment 17?
As in there's no plans for 18", which makes a 17" size even more unlikely.
I was looking for 275/40 ZR20 106 (Y) XL, but they are not listed on Tirerack.com and the pop up help tech said there are no plans to make those tires at that size. I trust you a lot more then I trust them. Any idea why the confusion?
The size list above is from Michelin themselves for the European market, so the size will definitely be made.
Whether it will make it to the US we can't be sure, but there's no reason it shouldn't.
It isn't yet on sale in the UK http://www.tyrereviews.co.u... so maybe a size to keep checking.
When will ps4s be launched in 265/40/18 for bmw e92 m3 rear tires? Should i wait or go for something else?
No plans for any 18" sizes at the moment, so you'll either have to find something else, or use it as an excuse to upgrade to some 19" wheels :)
I attended the Super Sport press launch back in 2011, so I know the chaps at Michelin pretty well. The launch sizes (19" and 20") are precisely that, and more sizes will be released later in 2017. In fact if you look at Michelin's press release from just over a month ago, it says:
"The Pilot Sport 4 S tire bears a (Y) speed rating (186+ mph). The tire
is commercially available in Europe starting this month, and available
in the United States starting in March. The product line initially
includes 35 sizes, in widths ranging from 225mm to 345mm, aspect ratios
from 30 to 45, and rim diameters from 18 to 20 inches."
There was similar confusion 6 years ago when the Super Sport was launched. Michelin said to me at the time that the Pilot Super Sport is normally quicker than PS2, and the Cup+ is generally quicker than both on track, but that's not always the situation for every car. In fact the KTM X-Bow was quicker on PS2s than on Super Sports, so while the PS4 might be comparable with the PS4 S in some situations, I very much doubt that will stop Michelin from giving customers the choice.
Please do it in 17" and 18" also!
So if PS4 S replaces my PSS where the heck is the 245/40 R18 (97Y) XL TL size?
Michelin are rewarding all those that bought these great tyres we're happy with, by telling them we've got these new ones but you can't have them in 18".
I don't want to be forced to buy PS4 I'm rotating PSS...
The 18" sizes fall to PS4, which is a better tyre than the MPSS in 95% of applications.
This is great news.................
Better in all categories and longer wear................
WHATS NOT TO LIKE.........
will not be release in 17 inch rim sizes?
There are currently no plans to produce the PS4S in 17 inch sizes. For that you have the PS4.
So, the PS4s, any idea when (if) they will become available in 18inches?
I'll need new tyres in about 6 months, currently have the PSS. So, if the PS4s aren't an option, should I buy a new set of PS4 tyres, rather than the PSS again?
2015 Golf GTD, UK
The official launch for the PS4S is in January, but having seen the advanced size list we wouldn't suggest waiting around for 18" PS4S as they don't seem to be on the roadmap for 2017.
The PS4 is the current latest-tech tyre from Michelin, so size for size it should outperform the PSS.
Too bad Michelin seems to ignore the existing market of 18" and leaves it up to the standard PS4.
A comparison of PSS and PS4 in 18" would be nice for future buying decisions.
The different between the PSS and PS4 is tiny in most scenarios, and as soon as we can we'll test the PS4 vs PS4S!
Please test PS4 against PSS also
Jeez, I wanna PS4S in 245/35 R18... Michelin, don't be stupid, pls.
it would be more fair to test the P ZERO instead of the NERO GT. After all this is a "gt" tyre, not a sports tyre
Would be handy if they compared with the existing 4.
It's something we're planning to do in early 2017!
Likely I would replace my PSS with PS4s if they issue 18"
They should make an 18 inch range, specifically 225/40/18 and 235/40/18. Although the regular ps4's should be very good, the 4S should have that extra dry grip I want without being an extreme performance tyre like a toyo r1r
At some point we plan to drive on both the 4 and 4S in as close to comparable back to back driving possible. Hopefully this will allow us to highlight any differences between the two tyres. We imagine them to be small.
Throw the PSS in for good measure, we can then see if the extra money is worth it, personally I would say the PSS is better than PS4, BMW M cars are still rolling out the factory with PSS when PS4 is available in the required sizes, i.e. M2, M3, M4, M5 and M6.
The PS4 S is better than the PSS in every measurable way! Full details in a video in the next few weeks.
So basicly the PS4S is as good on dry track with the super sport, and much better than it in everything else ? I hope it feels as racetyre as the super sport when driven in a spirited way.
We'll be able to tell you in a few months! If the details from Michelin are correct, the new 4S should feel even more "racetyre" than the SuperSport.
Interesting times ahead and like CSC6 min 19" upwards