New Michelin Pilot Sport 3

STOKE-ON-TRENT, UNITED KINGDOM – February 15, 2010: Michelin has launched the new Pilot Sport 3 to replace part of its Pilot Exalto and Pilot Sport 2 ranges. It is the only tyre to combine outstanding on-road performance with environmental features which are unrivalled in its category.

The Michelin Pilot Sport 3 delivers high levels of grip. On wet surfaces, it holds the road better when cornering and stops three metres shorter* than its predecessor, the reigning benchmark sports tyre**. In addition, the new tyre provides very precise steering for an enjoyable driving experience. That’s why Michelin can say that its new high-performance tyre delivers “enhanced driving sensations”. What’s more, unlike any other sports tyre, it also boasts outstanding fuel efficiency and extended mileage among its dynamic qualities.

Intended for a wide variety of vehicle categories, the Pilot Sport 3 is suitable for sporty hatchbacks and large, powerful saloons as well as small sports cars, such as roadsters and coupes, with the large 18 to 19-inch sizes serving as optional equipment on non-sporting models. In automotive industry terms, the tyre will cover every vehicle segment from class A to E1.

In addition to this broad range of applications, the Michelin Pilot Sport 3 is designed to be a truly global tyre. The tyre is being introduced in early 2010 in replacement markets around the world – South America, Europe, Africa, the Pacific and Asia – and will be launched in North America one year later. Importantly, the new Pilot Sport 3 has already been homologated by several car manufacturers even though dealer sales are only just starting. Some car manufacturers have approved the tyre for use on their signature sports car models such as the new Audi A5 and the new Mercedes E 63 AMG. This promising start is a testament to the all-round excellence of the Michelin Pilot Sport 3.

Michelin’s latest car tyre is a good illustration of the Group’s strategy, which is never to sacrifice one performance feature for another. This means improving performance in several different areas simultaneously, a prerequisite to making any real progress. To achieve this balance, the Michelin Pilot Sport 3 has been built with unique, highly advanced technologies, such as the Green Power Compound, the Anti Surf System and Programmed Distortion tyre architecture, all developed at Michelin’s Technology Center.

*Test performed in 2009 by independent technical services firm TÜV SÜD Automotive on size 245/40 ZR 18 Y tyres. **The MICHELIN Pilot Sport range is certified for use on more than 200 models