SHERIDAN, WYOMING – Feb. 19, 2025 – Porsche and Michelin have collaborated to create a new tire specifically designed for circuit use in wet and low-temperature conditions. The Michelin Pilot Sport S 5 is a road-legal track tire for the 992 Porsche 911 GT3 RS, focusing on maximizing performance on the track in wet and cold environments.
Addressing Customer Demand
“We are responding to demand from our particularly performance-focused customers that have expressed a desire to spend more time on track during spring and autumn,” said Andreas Preuninger, director GT Vehicles at Porsche. “The new tires significantly increase the annual usage period of the GT3 RS.”
Michelin Pilot Sport S 5: A New Option for the 911 GT3 RS
The Michelin Pilot Sport S 5 carries the ‘N’ marking, signifying tires specifically developed for Porsche models. Porsche now offers four different Michelin tire specifications for the 911 GT3 RS. The Pilot Sport S 5 complements the ultra-high-performance (UHP) Pilot Sport Cup 2 R and is also suitable for everyday driving in regions with predominantly wet and cool climates.
Rigorous Testing and Development
Since 2022, test drivers have logged countless kilometers at the Michelin Development Centre in Ladoux, France, contributing to the development of the Pilot Sport S 5. Porsche Brand Ambassador Jörg Bergmeister also played a key role in fine-tuning the tire's performance.
Optimized Aquaplaning Characteristics
A primary development focus was enhancing aquaplaning performance. The tire's tread pattern, designed for wet conditions, features four large central grooves with a depth of 7.4mm. This tread depth, and the resulting higher proportion of negative tread, allows the tire to displace a greater volume of water.
“The tire, therefore, improves the stability of the vehicle and raises the threshold at which the tire starts to lose contact with the road (‘aquaplaning speed’),” said Mathieu Greco, a tire developer at Michelin.
Enhanced Grip and Faster Warm-Up
A high silica content in the rubber compound further enhances grip on wet surfaces and ensures the tire reaches its optimal operating temperature more quickly. The new Pilot Sport S 5 is designed to perform best between 5°C and 15°C. Within this temperature range, the wet-weather tire delivers grip and precision levels unmatched by Porsche-approved UHP tires designed for warmer conditions (15°C to 30°C).
“The Michelin Pilot Sport S 5 gets up to temperature very quickly,” said Bergmeister. “In wet conditions and low ambient temperatures, it offers outstanding levels of control and predictability when changing direction.”
Improved Handling and Performance
Engineers also refined the material composition and geometry of the tire carcass and optimized the contact patch. This results in improved driver feel at the limit during demanding driving situations. The 911 GT3 RS equipped with the new tires is more than 10 seconds faster than when fitted with the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 N0 tires.
Performance Beyond Core Operating Window
The tires underwent extensive testing at the Nürburgring and Portimão, Portugal, in both dry conditions and temperatures exceeding 20°C. This testing ensures the tire delivers strong performance even outside its primary operating range. The new tire is approved for road use and complies with all legal requirements for rolling resistance and noise levels.
Availability
The new Michelin Pilot Sport S 5 is initially available for the Porsche 911 GT3 RS in sizes 275/35 ZR 20 (front axle) and 335/30 ZR 21 (rear axle). Distribution will be handled by Manthey, the performance specialist for Porsche GT models based in Meuspath at the Nürburgring.
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