Porsche GT3 Launches on Michelin Pilot Sport Tires

Next-Generation Michelin(R) Pilot Sport(R) tires provide ultimate high-performance ride for new Porsche 911 GT3

TROY, Mich., July 14 -- The new Porsche(R) 911 GT3 ultra-high performance vehicle will be launched with next-generation Michelin(R) Pilot Sport(R) tires. Porsche and Michelin have a long history of winning combinations -- and this latest pairing proves their joint success on the track and off.

Porsche and Michelin combined have won at Le Mans 24 times. That proven track experience and passion for performance resulted in the Porsche 911 GT3 shod with specifically tuned next-generation Michelin Pilot Sport Tires (295/30ZR18 N2 Rear and 235/40ZR18 N2 Front).

Michelin took the current Pilot Sport tire -- the industry's benchmark in ultra-high performance for the past five years -- and made it even better. The design is a unique and innovative asymmetric, dual-compound tread design which reduces road noise while the wide circumferential grooves displace water to the front and rear of the tire for a substantial increase in wet handling compared to other tires in its class. The outer half of the tread has a hybrid silica/carbon black compound tuned for powerful cornering and traction while the inner half of the tire tread has a high-silica compound optimized for wet handling and high-speed durability.

"What we've achieved with the next-generation Pilot Sport is the ability to maintain top performance and handling while increasing comfort and reducing road noise," said Tom Chubb, vice president of marketing, Michelin Automotive Industry Division. "The new Pilot Sport tire is an outstanding partner for the power and handling prowess of the new Porsche 911 GT3. Michelin and Porsche have a shared passion for ultra-high performance. By working together, our goal is to make the Porsche ownership experience better than ever."

Other Porsche vehicles fitted with Michelin tires include the Porsche 911, GT2, Boxster(R) and Boxster S, which ride on Michelin(R) Pilot Sport ultra- high performance street tires. The Porsche 911, 928, 968, 944 and Boxster also have been fitted with Michelin Pilot SX MXX3 tires for the ultimate in wet and dry performance. For the Porsche Cayenne(R) S and Porsche Cayenne(R) Turbo introduced this year, Michelin uses a tread compound strategy similar to that of the GT3's tires with its solution of 20-inch Michelin(R) Diamaris(TM) ultra-high performance SUV tires.

Michelin manufactures and sells tires for every type of vehicle, including airplanes, automobiles, bicycles, earthmovers, farm equipment, heavy-duty trucks and the space shuttle. The company also publishes travel guides, maps and atlases covering Europe, Asia, Africa and North America. Headquartered in Greenville, S.C., Michelin North America (www.michelin.com ) employs 24,640 and operates 22 plants in 18 locations.