Michelin outlines OE fitments for latest Panamera
Porsche has treated the Panamera to a facelift, and the new model will be launched in July. Michelin continues in its role as tyre supplier – every Panamera will be fitted with Michelin tyres in all regions where the four-door Porsche is sold. In all, the French manufacturer is supplying the latest model with 12 sizes of summer, winter and all-season tyres.
Summer: Michelin Pilot Super Sport
The Michelin Pilot Super Sport was created through the combination of three components: the aramid fibre belt, the Bi-Compound tread band and the Variable Contact Patch 2.0.
Characterised by its superior traction resistance and low weight, the aramid fibre belt helps to overcome centrifugal force and distribute pressure more evenly, thereby helping to control the shape of the tyre casing, regardless of speed.
Developed for race tyres, Bi-Compound technology uses different rubber compounds on the left and right sides of the tread. On the outside, an elastomer ensures enhanced wear resistance to tight cornering, while on the inside, a different elastomer combines with a special tread design to break through the water’s surface film and provide better wet grip.
The Variable Contact Patch 2.0 enables complete control of the vehicle by keeping the same amount of rubber on the road, even as the patch’s shape changes during tight cornering.
Winter: Michelin Pilot Alpin 4
The Michelin Pilot Alpin 4 integrates a new winter tyre design called Ridge-n-Flex, which involves the optimal combination of two features.
The first is a reworked tread design with a deep grooves that are said to offer outstanding grip on winter roads and intersecting StabiliGrip self-locking sipes that ensure optimal tread-block rigidity, for more precise steering. The second is the HelioCompound 3G soft rubber compound which retains its elasticity even at low temperatures, thereby ensuring more effective grip on ice and snow, as well as on cold wet roads. This third-generation compound is a new formula combining silica and sunflower oil.
All-season: Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus
Developed for the North American market, the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus stands out for its consistent high-level performance in all weather conditions, the tyre maker says. That’s because the tyre’s tread design and the TriFusion compound offer “excellent road holding on wet and dry surfaces, even in winter driving conditions.” The tyre maker says the MaxTouch Construction technology used in the tyre offers significant total mileage without sacrificing performance in other areas.
The Pilot Sport A/S Plus all-season fitment will be primarily fitted to North American market saloons, however it will also be available as an option in Europe. Michelin began supplying all-season tyres to the European original equipment market in summer 2010 and followed this with replacement market sales. The decision to introduce all-season tyres in Europe was seen by some to be a deviation from Michelin doctrine that stated summer tyres offer optimal performance in summer and winter tyres likewise in winter, while all-season tyres represent a compromise at all times of the year. When questioned by tyres and accessories, Michelin’s vice-president of Technical Communication, Pascal Couasnon, responded that Michelin’s decision to equip the original Panamera with all-season tyres did not represent a change in its seasonal tyre strategy.
Homologated sizes
- Michelin Pilot Super Sport
Front
255/45 ZR 19 (100Y) PILOT SUPER SPORT N0
255/40 ZR 20 (101Y) PILOT SUPER SPORT N0
Rear
285/40 ZR 19 (103Y) PILOT SUPER SPORT N0
295/35 ZR 20 (105Y) PILOT SUPER SPORT N0
- Michelin Pilot Alpin 4
Front
255/45 R 19 100V PILOT ALPIN PA4 N1
255/40 R 20 101V XL PILOT ALPIN PA4 N0
Rear
285/40 R 19 103V PILOT ALPIN PA4 N1
285/35 R 20 104V XL PILOT ALPIN PA4 N0
- Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus
Front
255/45 R 19 100V PILOT SPORT A/S+ N1
255/40 R 20 101V XL PILOT SPORT A/S+ N0
Rear
285/40 R 19 103V PILOT SPORT A/S+ N1
295/35 R 20 105V XL PILOT SPORT A/S+ N0
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