Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S is an asymmetric high-speed summer tire designed for powerful sports cars. This model is characterized by good road holding ability, excellent handling response, short dry and wet braking distances, and long tread life. A 2017 model. The launch of the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S model came as a little bit of a surprise. In 2015, the Pilot Sport 4 model was released, and just a year later the French tire maker presented the PS 4S model at the Paris Motor Show. The underlying currents behind this move are still unknown because the Michelin PS4 already gave a great account of itself in numerous independent tests, the British Auto Express test being but one of them.

The Pilot Sport 4S, positioned as an upgraded version of the Pilot Sport 4, is ultimately meant to replace the UHP model Michelin Pilot Super Sport, which back in the day was mega-popular with adrenaline addicts. The Michelin Pilot Sport 4 demonstrates excellent braking performance on dry and wet pavement due to the use of a bi-compound structure. The outside part of the tread consists of improved hybrid material, which enhances the tire’s dry grip, while the inner part of the tire, containing silica and functional elastomers, ensures excellent wet traction. This way, the high wet and dry performances – often conflicting characteristics in the world of sports tires – are successfully combined in this model. The company’s promises are further confirmed by independent tests of this model in size 235/35 R19 in comparison with its direct competitors – Pirelli PZero Nero GT, Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3, Dunlop Sport Maxx RT 2, Continental SportContact 6, and Bridgestone Potenza S001. The tests were carried out in June-July 2016 by TÜV SÜD and DEKRA expert groups. When braking on dry pavement from 100 km/h, the 4S model needed only 33.66 meters to bring the car to a full stop, whilst the braking distance shown by the best of the competitors was almost a meter longer (0.83m). When braking on wet pavement from 80 km/h, the 4S model needed only 27.73 meters to stop the car, while the braking distance of the best of its competitors was almost 2.5 meters longer (2.41 meters). On a slalom track 2.6 km long, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S showed the best lap time. This tire has the best-in-class durability – it is the only one to overcome the 50,000 km threshold.

Other features of this model include extremely low noise emission and a smooth and comfortable ride.