Michelin Pilot Sport 5 tyres released boosting performance and longevity

Michelin has unveiled its new Pilot Sport 5 that it says provides a clear edge over its competitors in the realm of performance and longevity.

The first Pilot Sport series change in six years, the Pilot Sport 5 will spawn a number of offerings that will supersede the popular Michelin Pilot Sport 4 range.

Unveiled alongside the comfort-focused Michelin Primary 4+, the Pilot Sport 5 arrives with high expectations ahead of its forthcoming on-sale date.

Michelin’s older Pilot Sport 4 has been fitted to a broad range of performance cars since its debut in September 2016, from the Hyundai i30 N Line warm hatch to the Porsche Panamera sports sedan.

It is likely that the ‘PS5’ range will spawn a new Pilot Sport 5S high-performance tyre to replace the highly-rated Pilot Sport 4S, while an EV tyre variant and even an SUV iteration are highly probable.

New technology and increased performance

Michelin has integrated its new Dual Sport Treat Design into the Sport 5 which features specialised tread for dry conditions on the outside and a wet weather-focused design on the inside.

Independent testing conducted on Michelin’s request found the Sport 5 tyres out-braked its rivals (including the Pirelli P Zero and Bridgestone Potenza Sport) in a 100-0km/h dry test and an 80-20km/h wet test – while also providing better longevity. 

It should be noted that Michelin has not included the results of the Sport 4 tyres in these tests, so it remains unclear how much the performance has increased with the latest generation.

The Primacy 4+ tyres are more likely to be seen driving to work than on a racetrack so engineers focused on increasing the wet weather performance when worn by using two layers of rubber to offset the loss of tread depth.

As a result, Michelin says the tyres had a shorting wet braking distance than its rivals in an 80-20km/h test when all had been worn down –  however the Bridgestone Turanza T005 tyres stopped quicker than the Michelins when new.

What sizes are available?

Michelin says the Pilot Sport 5 will be available with 50 dimensions in 17 to 21-inch sizes and will launch globally on March 1, 2022

The Primacy 4+ tyres will be available in 82 dimensions from 16 to 19-inches when it launched on January 1, which will increase to 121 dimensions across 16 to 21-inches by the end of 2022.