Update: The replacement for the Michelin Pilot Super Sport has been announced - the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
With the recent release of the Michelin Pilot Sport 4, a great deal of discussion has been generated about the fate of the much loved Michelin Pilot Super Sport.
Michelin have so far remained relatively quiet on the subject, but with certain smaller Pilot Super Sport pattern tyres already being replaced with the Pilot Sport 4, new N rated Porsche sizes being announced in Pilot Sport 4, and EVO magazine incorrectly reporting the Pilot Super Sport range is finished, the online communities are full of mixed information!
In order to clear things up, we've been speaking with Michelin to find out exactly what's happening with everyone's favourite performance tyre.
Where does the Pilot Sport 4 sit?
- While Pilot Sport 4 replaces the Pilot Sport 3, it’s an improvement on the Pilot Super Sport, not a “new” Pilot Sport 3, in design and technology. In comparative testing in 18" sizes, Pilot Sport 4 outperforms the Pilot Super Sport in 99% of everyday situations, with the added benefit of 10-15% improved wear. The other 1% is on a dry track where the Pilot Super Sport would outperform the Pilot Sport 4 by a couple of tenths of a second around a long track. For more track focused track drivers we will expand the range of Pilot Sport Cup 2 over the next few years.
What is happening with the Pilot Sport 3?
- The Pilot Sport 3 will continue to be produced in smaller sizes, and where we have the tyre as OE (original equipment) fitments for years to come, so it won’t disappear completely.
So the Pilot Sport 4 replaces the Pilot Super Sport?
- No, the Pilot Super Sport will continue to be made in sizes where we have some OE fitments, with some of those in production for many years to come.
But what about the N rated Pilot Sport 4 tyres which have been announced?
- During the Porsche homologation process extensive modifications have been made to the Pilot Sport 4, which means it's a different looking and feeling tyre to the aftermarket Pilot Sport 4 tyre.
Will the N rated Pilot Sport 4 tyres be more like the Pilot Super Sport?
- Yes, as with all Pilot Sport 4, their DNA is purely based on Pilot Super Sport, so the N rated versions will be a great addition to the N rated range. Please note at this point the N rated tyres launched will be focused on new and future Porsche models, not existing vehicles.
Will the Pilot Super Sport be replaced?
- Yes, there will eventually be a replacement model, which will continue the Pilot Super Sport design ethos, and improve the performance of the tyre. As with every tyre we will improve the performance and move forward.
I have a Porsche, what tyre should I fit?
- When in warranty, Michelin can only recommend fitting N rated tyres. Once out of warranty, consult sites like TyreReviews and internet forums to find what is working well with the community. Work is always continuing with Porsche at OE level, so more and more fitments will hopefully follow in time.
What sizes will be continued in the PSS?
- The list is ever evolving, if you have a question regarding a specific size of Pilot Super Sport please ask in the comments below and we'll reply with the answer.
I live in US and here i can't find the PS4 in 205/40/R18 but it seems is available in UK. Now my question is: does anybody knows a website or a place in UK that ships tires to the US? Would really appreciate any help. Thanks.
Jonathan, any update on this?
Nothing official, no. There are changes for the * marked PSS, so if it's going on a BMW and you can get the * marked, you might as well :)
Let me push this discussion for a question regarding PSS in 225/40 R18 size, as this is still available in three (!!!) specs:
225/40 R18 88Y* (OE BMW M135 - M240i)
225/40 R18 92* (OE BMW, no idea to which model it's fitted factory-wise)
225/40 R18 92 HN (Hyundai i30 N)
What are the exact differences? Obviously the HN spec PSS 'should' perform 'better' on FWD cars, but does it actually do? How exactly would the driver notice the presumably marginal difference? Just curious, since I'm on the fence.
The honest answer, no one outside of Michelin teh guys will know, and Michelin press contacts will only give very general answers.
I can ask the question :)
Thanks for your reply. Do you happen to know if michelin is making the PS4 in that size? (205/40ZR18) i was trying to find that size but no luck.
It seems readily available, linked to from this site :)
http://www.tyrereviews.co.u...
I think i am getting confused. Are ps4 the same as ps4s? if they are different then the one i am referring to are the ps4s in size 205/40ZR18
In the UK the PS4S isn't available in 18".
The PS4 is the smaller wheeled version of the PS4S.
Hello, I have a R53 GP 2006 mini cooper currently equipped with PSS 205/40 ZR18. I am the second owner, so I am not sure if the PSS came with the vehicle from factory, but I would like to know if Michelin will continue to manufacture these sizes. Any contribution will be appreciated. Thank you.
If the PSS are OE Michelin will have at least a 10 year supply agreement. After this, it will depend on sales volumes and whether people are switching to the PS4 in that size, which is a lot better in the wet.
Hi, I have an Alpina D4 2015, std fit is PSS 265/30 ZR20, fronts are 245/30s. However, recently had new rears fitted and the car is now all over the place, the traction control kicking in all the time while cornering, it feels unstable and unsafe at speed even in a straight line. On investigation I have noticed the rears have been replaced with pilot sport po1s? Can anyone tell me if these are a recent the and if this combination is causing issues with others, or even recommended?
I'm not sure what tyre you're referring to, I've never heard of a PO1, nor is PO an OE mark as far as I know.
Could you upload a picture?
Hi do you know if PSS are in 215 40 17 ? regards
It looks like just the PS4 in that size at the moment
http://www.tyrereviews.co.u...
So according to the info above, the Michelin PS4 (NOT the PS4S) is 99% better than the Michelin PSS. But according to the http://www.tyrereviews.co.u..., it says that the PSS sits above the PS4 ? and that the PSS is actually below the PS4S NOT the PS4.
So which is it actually.. are both PS4 and PS4S better than PSS ?
The MPS4 has better wet grip, improve comfort, less noise, better fuel consumption when compared to the MPSS, where as the MPSS has the edge in steering precision and feel, and maybe dry handling on track.
At the time the article was written, the MPS4S wasn't announced, so the MPSS was above the MPS4 as in it was primarily in 19" and above, where the MPS4 is primarily up to 18".
Now the MPS4S exists, this is the top performance tyre from Michelin
I'm looking for more grip on my Ferrari F12 and daily drive smooth tyres.
Does PS4 has more grip than PSS?
PS4S is the answer!
http://www.tyrereviews.co.u...
I can't yet find PS4S with Porsche N marking for my 981 Cayman in 235 35 20 & 265 35 20 sizes?
When will these be available?
Both sizes are available at launch for for the non n-rated tyre, as far as I'm aware there's no dates set for the Porsche homologation yet.
Thanks. I just asked Michelin via online chat. Info as follows...
My car is a 2014 Porsche Cayman 981 2.7.
Tyres are 235 35 20 & 265 35 20
When are "N" marked versions of these due to be available?
Agent - Vassilena
Thank you for the information, one moment please...
I just checked and for both dimensions the new MICHELIN Pilot Sport 4 S with Porsche marking will be launched in March.
That means that it should be available with our dealers a couple of months after.
Thanks for the feedback, it's great you don't have too long to wait! Let us know what you think of them!
I have a 2004 Boxster S currently fitted with Pilot Sport N1's (225/40R18 & 265/35R18) which are the original tyres. They have only done 23k. I am looking for replacements although one tyre supplier told me there was nothing wrong with current ones. I am concerned about the age.
I have been quoted on Pilot Sport 4s but these do not appear to be N rated and also quoted on Michellen N3s (which are more expensive).
Are the Pilot Sport 4's suitable or should I stick with N rated? My car is a Sunday drive!
As long as the Boxster is out of warranty, we wouldn't be overly concerned about N rated tyres, classing them as "nice to have" rather than essential.
You're absolutely right to be looking for new tyres, at 12 years use your current tyres should definitely be retired!
Any idea on the release of ps4 in 225/35/19?
You will be wanting the PS4 S. First wave starting Jan.
Full details: http://www.tyrereviews.co.u...
Hi, I heard the PS4 in 235 35 20 and 265 35 20 was being launched to coincide with the Porsche 718 launch, yet I've seen only Pirellis on these. As my 981 takes the same fitment, when will the N marked 20" PS4 tyres be available?
Hi David,
The planned date for release is start of October 2016, so they should be available in the replacement market within a month or so of then.
I just noticed that Trofeo R is already available in your sizes
Hi. Was thinking about putting the new pilot sport 4 on my front m135i but I can't find them to fit my rear 245/35/r18 would this size be coming out or would a different size fits? Or should I just stick with the super sports. Was only thinking about changing to wear and wet performance. Thanks guys.
Hi guys,
Interesting topic since I have PSS on my BMW M235i
I really enjoy these tires and I hope that they will be still sold in the future.
Sizes are 225/40 R18 in the front and 245/35 R38 in the rear.
Please, could you confirm that they are going to be still available ?
Thanks !
Good news, the M135 / M235 OE MPSS sizes will remain in production for at least another 10 years. The joy of having an OE tyre fitment :)
So great ! Thanks a lot for your reply and I will continue to enjoy these tires in Switzerland for a while :)
a bit off-topic I suppose but triggered by the remark about the PS3 & smaller sizes.
There are quite a few of us who have older sporting beasties using sizes that are now not populated by anything but eco-tyres. There used to be good crisp, grippy tyres in the sizes but as ranges of tyres were replaced, the sizes got lost. No doubt there are not enough of us to be worth Michelin & other companies bothering about. Two such sizes are 185/60-14 & 185/60-13. Couldn't some parallel to the Michelin Classic range (but with later types or bespoke smaller sizes of, say, the PS3) be managed?
As you say, volume is key. Once moulds are past their useful life, they're very expensive to remake. This means low volume tyre sizes often get ignored.
Our only suggestion would be lobbying, if you get enough of you together on a forum to request a certain size, a manufacturer might listen!
Michelin is just continuing what they've been doing for years. 3 sport tyres:
Pilot Exalto 2 / Pilot Sport 2 / Pilot Sport Cup
Pilot Sport 3 / Pilot Super Sport / Pilot Sport Cup +
Pilot Sport 4 / Pilot Super Sport 2 (?) / Pilot Sport Cup 2
The Pilot Sport 3 was already compared to the Pilot Sport 2 when lunched and replace it in the smaller sizes. The thing is, sport cars are using bigger and bigger tyres, so Michelin is just kipping up with it. They want the "Super Sport" to be almost exclusively for super and hyper cars when it lunch. And it will gradually go down a little bit to eventually. That's all marketing, we're having the same things for 10 years know.
With the Pilot Sport 4 being 1% behind the Pilot Super Sport on dry track (like the Pilot Sport 3 compared to the Pilot Sport 2) and the Continental SportContact 6 pulling ahead of the PSS on that (see last AutoBild test), we can really expect a new PSS.
And for the 'N' rating, it's probably not for the 911 but for future Cayenne and such...
Note: the Macan latitude Alpin 2 'N' are in fact Pilot Alpin 4 'N' (a special tire only available for Porsche). He's very different from the normal latitude Alpin 2 and Pilot Alpin 2. So the name doesn't mean a lot when it comes to 'N' rated tyres apparently.