Michelin have just launched their new premium touring tyre, the Michelin Primacy 3. Developed to replace the excellent Michelin Primacy HP, the tyre has been developed with safety, wear and comfort in mind.
During development of the Primacy 3, Michelin teamed up with the accident research centre VUFO which specialises in acidentolgy - the research of accidents. VUFO researched over 20,000 seperate accidents over the space of 10 years, and in doing so, provided Michelin with some interesting statistics and facts about accidents.
- 70% accidents happen on dry roads
- 60% accidents happen in urban areas at low speed
- 75% of accidents happen on straight roads
- 99% of accidents on wet roads happen when there's very little water depth
- 25% of accidents happen on bends, 50% of which happen when it's wet. While this is a relatively low percentage of the overall accidents, it is the group of accidents with the highest damage and most casualties
Testing
During development of the Primacy 3 Michelin covered over 20 million kilomemters of real world testing in all conditions to ensure the tyre worked on all manor of surfaces and on different types of vehicles.Once the final specification Primacy 3 was developed, the tyre was handed over to independent testing body TUV to test against 4 leading competitors. In a thorough array of TUV tests, the new Primacy 3 was benchmarked against the Continental Premium Contact 2, Bridgestone ER300 Ecopia, Pirelli P7 and Goodyear Effecient grip.
The results? Impressive. With over 70% of accidents happening on dry, straight roads, dry braking was Michelin's top priority, but is also one of the hardest areas to improve on. TUV found that the new Michelin Primacy 3:
- Under dry braking stopped on average 2.2 metres shorter from 100kmh than the 4 leading competitors
- Under wet braking stopped on average 1.5 metres shorter from 100kmh than the 4 leading competitors
- Allowed for the highest wet cornering speeds
The Technology
Michelin introduced several new concepts with Primacy 3, the most important of which is the interlocking "auto blocking" micro sipes. These small cuts in the tyre, just 2/10th of a millimeter wide (over 20% smaller than winter tyre sipes) lock together during compression allowing Michelin to use a softer compound for the tyre while maintaining logevity and structural stiffness in the dry. They also help tyre wear, as it manages how the blocks enter and exit the compression phase.Auto blocking sipes during dry braking:
Auto blocking sipes during wet cornering:
Sizes
The Michelin Primacy 3 will be launched in 38 key sizes:185/60/15 84 H
185/65/15 88 H
195/65/15 91 H
195/65/15 91 V
205/55/16 91 V
205/55/16 91 W
205/60/16 96 W
215/55/16 93 V
215/55/16 93 W
215/55/16 97 H
215/55/16 97 V
215/55/16 97 W
225/55/16 95 V
225/55/16 95 W
225/55/16 99 W
205/50/17 89 V
205/50/17 89 W
215/50/17 95 W
215/50/17 91 W
215/55/17 94 W
225/45/17 91 W
225/45/17 94 V
225/45/17 94 W
225/50/17 94 V
225/50/17 98 V
225/50/17 98 W
225/50/17 98 Y
225/55/17 101 W
225/55/17 97 W
235/45/17 94 W
235/45/17 94 Y
235/45/17 97 W
235/55/17 103 Y
235/55/17 99 V
245/45/17 99 W
245/45/17 99 Y
235/45/18 98 W
245/45/18 100 W
Hey, would you recommended the Primacy 3 or Pilot Sport 3 for a 2014 Renault Clio Dynamique S? They are same price at my local shop.
Thanks in advance :)
The Pilot Sport 3 has been replaced by the Pilot Sport 4 which is a much better tyre so would be my choice.
The Primacy 4 isn't out until Jan 2018.
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Pilot Sport 4's aren't available at my local shop unfortunately. These are my options
Hello please help me choose for my VW Golf 7 1.4tsi on 205/55/R16 between Michelin Primacy 3 and other tyre, considering that I am looking for confort meaning more absorbtion on rough roads. I have now Dunlop SP Fast Response and I find it pretty stiff but very good handling, stability, not at all hushing in the fast corners, less points on traction though.
Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance is a tyre you can compare the Primacy 3 to. We've not compared them directly, but they're both excellent tyres.
The Michelin should have the edge with wear.
Thank you for the quick and documented answer, I will consider both, I was also thinking about Dunlop BluResponse which is newer than Primacy 3 though seems that 2014 summer tyre tests puts 2011 Primacy 3 as clear winner with no negative points
The Primacy 3 made in 2014 may be improved over the Primacy 3 from 2011. So even if it started sooner it still can be on par or even better than Dunlop or other competitors.
Correct :)
please tell me what do I get with primacy 3 over dunlop sport maxx rt, beside the lack of sportiness?! thank you
In theory, tread life.
Hi Please could You help me with choosing the best tire for my bmw 530 58 plate m sport the size on the rear is 275.30.19 bmw recommend continental contisport contact 2* but i thinking to go for the goodyear eagle f1 asymmetric 2 which one will be best for the comfort ride in town and quietest please thank You Kind Regards Martin
Hi Martin,
Looking at the current tests, the F1 Asymmetric 2 will be quieter than the Conti, and should have better wear and grip.
What should I choose: Pilot Sport 3 or Primacy 3? I drive a Toyota Avensis 4D4. Thanks.
Assuming both are made in your size, and you're after mileage and comfort rather than sporty qualities in your Avensis, we'd certainly go for the Primacy.
Hi. Please can you help. I know nothing about tyres but have been told that I need two new ones on the front of my car (Ford S-Max). The ones I currently have are apparently Michelin Pilot Primacy ones 225/50/17, which have been on since the car was new (3 years). What would be sensible tyres to replace them with? What do the last two numbers and letter refer to in the tyre sizes listed above, as I wasn't given that information for my current tyres by the garage? Many thanks.
The last 2 numbers are the wheel size. You also need to know the load rating to be sure you're getting the right tyre.
As you're on the Primacy 3 page, these would probably be a good match as they're the latest in the Primacy range and getting some great reviews!
currantly looking to replace tyres 225/45/r17 from continental sport contact 2 with michelin
primacy 3 will the ride be better does the primacy 3 have kerb protectors
In theory the Primacy should ride better, as it's designed more for comfort than the sport contact.
Regarding the kerb protector, that can vary from size to size so worth double checking with whoever you're buying from.
treadwear???
Sorry, we don't have that data. It should be on Michelins site!
Currently I have 4 Michelin Primacy HP on my car (front 225/45/17 & back 245/45/17). My front two need replacing and I'm wondering whether I can replace them with the successor Michelin Primacy 3 while having the Primacy HP on the back?
Thanks
As long as you're not mixing tyres on the axle that's no problem.
It might be a smarter move to put the new tyres on the rear, and move the rear to the fronts so in the event of deep standing water you've an easier car to handle!
Thanks for the reply. I can't move tyres since they're different size. I mentioned that in the initial post but you missed it :) My tyre-fitter actually showed me a video last year that proved what you suggested to me, which is to put the newer tyres at the back for stability. There is a misconception that the newer tyres should be the front ones.
Thanks again.
Anthos
No problem :)
Why did they benchmark against the Pirelli P7 and NOT the CINTURATO P7 ?
The official answer will be "availability at the time of the tests"
interesting
predessecor?
is the sidewall stiffer than the predecessor?
Of the 4 tyres driven on during the launch, the sidewall felt stiffer than the Pirelli and Goodyear, and on par with the Bridgestone.