Better and greener
Michelin's PS3 aims to set new benchmark for on-road performance with due regard to environmental concerns
- Published: 23/04/2010 at 12:00 AM
- Newspaper section: Motoring
French tyre maker Michelin claims that its new Pilot Sport 3 or PS3 is unique in the sports tyre category because it combines outstanding on-road performance with environmental features.
In a nutshell, that means great road grip while cornering on wet surfaces, excellent stopping capability, and precise steering which, according to Michelin speak, is what they refer to as ''driving pleasure through precision''.
Michelin also claims that braking distance with the new tyre is 3 metres shorter than its predecessor, the Pilot Sport PS2, while the bonus comes in the form of improved fuel efficiency and extended mileage, by 10%.
Thierry Rudloff, director of marketing in Southeast Asia and Oceania said, ''The Michelin PS3 stops 3 metres shorter compared to the PS2, has 10% more mileage and is 10% more fuel efficient than other tyre brands. It's an outstanding sports tyre which is in tune with the mindset of the society as well.''
Hot laps in a Subaru in Michelin colours.
Though Michelin did not provide any specifics, the Pilot Sport 3 also attempts to showcase its green qualities since it's claimed reduced fuel consumption lead to reduced CO2 emissions.
You can't afford to not be environmentally-concerned and Michelin is marketing its products in the right direction, though to the motorist, pricing and how the tyre actually performs are more interesting when it is time to change a new set of tyres. The PS3 is already a standard tyre for the Audi A4, Audi AQ5 and the Mercedes-Benz E63.
The new PS3 comes in 26 sizes for rims of 15-19 inches and costs anywhere from B2,700-13,000 while the 225/45R17 (supposedly the most popular size) should cost about B5,000.
Key to the PS3's ability to deliver the aforementioned qualities of enhanced safety on wet roads, steering precision on dry roads and longer tread life are the following: Sport Power Compound (SPC) formula, Anti Surf System (ASS) and Michelin's Programmed Distortion Tyre (PDT) system.
A most enjoyable 200hp GT5.
The SPC is a rubber formula that ensures best possible grip on wet roads; the ASS system is a specially shaped shoulder of the tyre that is effective at draining large volumes of water; and PDT improves steering precision and increases tread life.
The ASS system cuts through water easily and denies the onset of potentially dangerous aquaplaning reaction on wet roads.
PDT allows the PS3 to rapidly attain optimal functional temperature at low speeds for flexibility and grip while at high speeds, PDT allows the PS3 to stiffen and prevents overheating, according to Michelin.
Kaeng Krachan racing circuit
The Pilot PS3 was put to the test against the Yokohama S Drive at the Kaeng Krachan racing circuit in Phetchaburi.
The Michelin Pilot Sport 3
The first station or ''dry station'' saw both the Michelins and Yokohamas fitted to a BMW 3-series with veteran professional driver Nattavudh Charoensukhawatana behind the wheel, before Motoring did four laps at 60kph.
The lap was about 300-400 metres of the actual 3-kilometre course which consisted of a couple of corners designed especially for the grip test.
After completing the first lap, I went into the the first slight corner at 70kph while the second sharp corner was best suited to about 60kph _ all done without applying brakes.
The Michelins delivered less of the wheel slip reaction and road screech through more grip compared to the Yokohamas.
Both the Michelins and Yokohamas had already been tested extensively by the local media and others.
Obviously, you are probably asking why would any tyre manufacturer put itself in a situation where it finds itself at a disadvantage?
It's like comparing the Lamborghini LP570-4 against a Ferrari 458 Italia _ the Lambo is 40kgs lighter and has 10 more horses than the Ferrari.
How you interpret it in marketing speak is your prerogative, but at least it should give you a get drift of what I am trying to compare.
What got my attention was the steering reaction, which again is entirely subjective, but I felt the Michelins showed great response to the tarmac in all aspects when compared to the competition.
This is a sports tyre so you need it to communicate with the steering wheel and the driver.
Next up were ''wet braking'' and ''wet cornering'' stations.
This time the PS3 and Yokohamas were fitted to the Toyota Altis which was probably due to the fact that we wouldn't get much of a reaction from the BMWs when compared to its Japanese counterpart.
We entered the wet corners at 50-55kph without applying brakes, just like the ''dry'' station and did the braking test by speeding up to about 80-90kph and jamming on the brakes to determine stopping distance.
Wheel slippage and braking was all in favour of Michelin, while tyre pressure after testing was measured at about 2.5 bar for both brands.
This type of test would have been a tad more objective if only one car was used instead of two cars but Michelin invited more than one journo and time was the limiting factor.
Another factor to consider is that Kaeng Krachan is not a proving ground, so you have winds blowing (though it was horrendously hot with no winds) and influencing the braking results, but the results seem acceptable.
Michelin agreed that this was a demonstration instead of a test per se.
Shifting gears back to the braking test, our group delivered a 2.52-metre stopping distance advantage for the PS3 against the Yokohamas (though Michelin claims its PS3 tyre has a stopping distance advantage of 3 metres when compared with PS2).
At the end of the day the PS3 was obviously the better tyre compared to the Yokohama S Drive under the conditions laid out by Michelin.
Personally, I was impressed by the steering response of the Michelin PS3 and how it communicated the road conditions to me. Mind you, this is a sports tyre.
The rest of the day was like icing on the cake with hot laps in Subarus Imprezas with Nattavudh, a few laps in a 200 hp GT5, a country drive and a pit-stop tyre changing contest.
Hot lap never fail to appease the tired souls of journos after a hard day's work. The professional drivers just do things with the car that you'd never be able to do in your lifetime unless you are playing VDO games or have a death wish.
The GT5 drive also rekindled memories of the Michelin F1 drive event in Spain as we sweated in balaclavas, racing suits and getting so low to the ground _ like a go-kart _ and the impossible clutch and sequential gearing.
All in a day's work!
About the author
- Writer: Alfred Tha Hla
- Position: Motoring Reporter
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