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Michelin WINTER Tyres, Expertise in Winter Safety

Which WINTER tyre brand are you running (Non-Porsche) ?

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MICHELIN: Expertise in Winter Safety

The new Tyre for sedans and sports coupes.
The MICHELIN Pilot Alpin, (see 2nd post for further details)
Safely providing power, winter after winter

The new Tyre for high-performance SUVs
The MICHELIN Latitude Alpin, (see 3rd post for further details)
Safely providing mobility, winter after winter


Michelin new MICHELIN Pilot Alpin and MICHELIN Latitude Alpin, are two
winter Tyres for high-performance cars and SUVs, delivering unparalleled results in terms of safety, mobility and longevity.

MichelinWinterTyres.jpg


Background

To develop this performance balance and deploy the most appropriate technologies, Michelin conducted preliminary studies and invited more than 4,000 motorists in Germany, France, Russia, Sweden and Canada to describe their winter driving experiences.

In this way, nearly 12,000 loss-of-control situations were compiled and analyzed. Almost all driving conditions were covered, including when roads are:
- Covered with fresh, powdery snow.
- Covered with hard, compact snow.
- Covered with glistening, icy snow that has melted, then frozen again.
- Covered with melting, slushy snow.
- Partially covered with snow. The road can be seen in places where Tyres have passed.

A shared commitment to safety

Winter safety: a necessity for motorists

These studies conducted directly with motorists have revealed an important point, which is that around the world, the priorities of drivers of high-performance cars and SUVs change depending on the season.

In summer, driving enjoyment is primordial, allowing them to create an emotional relationship with their vehicle.

In winter, safety is their main concern and driving enjoyment is relegated to a lower level. Some motorists cannot even imagine getting pleasure out of winter driving. They want to be able to brake, stop and corner without having to worry. They want mobility, which especially for SUV drivers means the ability to start on an uphill.

Basically, they want to be in control of their vehicle, which means being able to drive on all types of roads and surfaces.

Winter safety: a constant concern for carmakers

Automobile manufacturers never compromise on this point and have made safety one of their core values. The importance that they attach to Tyres – and to MICHELIN Tyres in particular – is part of this commitment.

Michael Haupt, Manager of Tyre Development at Porsche, describes this concern in the following terms: 'For our winter Tyres, we put the focus on driving safety and stability and on braking distances, regardless of whether roads are wet, icy or snow-covered.

winter_194.jpg


Winter safety: an imperative for racing drivers

For the Michelin Group, motorsports are an integral part of the research and development process. While the Group allocates more than €550 million a year to its Technology Center, it also uses motorsports as a real-world laboratory for validating new technologies in the most demanding conditions. And what are drivers demanding? In short, they need Tyres that deliver the maximum in terms of grip, consistency and versatility of use.

The Monte Carlo Rally, part of the World Rally Championship, illustrates the variety of winter conditions that may confront race drivers in a single event. The circuit includes cold, dry asphalt as well as roads that are wet, snow-covered and icy. Michelin has developed one new Tyre capable of delivering optimal grip in all of these conditions, thereby enhancing safety as well as driving performance.

Even an eight-time winner of the World Rally Championship, despite his talent, needs highperformance Tyres. Says Sébastien Loeb: 'In the snow, even the world champion must have the right Tyres."

According to Dave Wilcock and David Lapworth, respectively Team Principal and Technical Director of the MINI World Rally Team: 'Drivers need a Tyre that enables them to race with confidence and push their car to the grip limit but never beyond."

All winter Tyre users agree. Whether drivers of cars or powerful SUVs, automobile manufacturers, or racing drivers or team managers, all are looking for Tyres that are safe, meaning that they deliver grip.

Winter Tyres mandatory in eleven European countries

After Finland, Norway, Sweden, Czech Republic, Latvia, Slovenia, Estonia and Lithuania, Germany made winter Tyres mandatory in December 2010. Winter Tyres became mandatory in Luxembourg and Romania in 2012.
 

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The MICHELIN Pilot Alpin,

MichelinPA4-A.jpg


Safely providing power, winter after winter

The performance of the new MICHELIN Pilot Alpin has been measured by an independent organization1 and the Tyre can be considered No. 1 for safety in cold weather driving conditions[1]. Winter after winter, it delivers superior performance in three areas:
- Enhanced safety. It brakes two meters shorter on wet
roads[2].
- Enhanced control. It sets the standard for grip when
cornering in the snow and for handling on wet roads[3].
- Enhanced mobility. It delivers outstanding traction on snow and ice[3].

To achieve this performance balance, MICHELIN has simultaneously improved several Tyre components, including the tread pattern and rubber compound (see 'Technical Close-up" below). Two treads were developed to meet the technical requirements of sports vehicles.

MichelinPA4-B.jpg


Both an asymmetric and directional pattern

Now on its 4th release, the Michelin Pilot Alin PA4 is the only winter tyre available in both an asymmetric and directional pattern, depending on application.

MichelinPA4-G.jpg


The asymmetric pattern, designed to fit cars such as the Mercedes E63 AMG, works best when both the front and rear sizes are the same.

The directional pattern, as N rated for the the new 991 911 is designed to work in staggered sizes, where the front and the rear wheels are different widths, and provides the ultimate stability and performance. The directional tread pattern developed in partnership with Porsche.

MichelinPA4-C.jpg


New technologies

With the introduction of the PA4 comes several new technologies. The first is a heavily grooved tread pattern, with lots of curved and opposing angled sipes. This gives the tyre up to 74% more edges than the previous generation Pilot Alpin (depending on size) ensuring the tyre can cut through any slush / film of water to get to the road surface beneath.

The second new technology, called "StabiliGrip", uses three-dimensional intersecting sipes to increase the rigidity of the tread blocks, offering an excellent steering precision and stability mid corner.

The third new technology is dubbed "HelioCompound 3G", which is Michelins patented third generation of the silica based rubber compound which utilises sunflower oil for better softness in extreme conditions.

MichelinPA4-D.jpg


Independent Testing

Michelin commissioned both independent tests of the new PA4, and gave a group of new 991 997s to do some snow and ice driving, while directly comparing the Michelin tyre with the Pirelli equivalent.

With over 2,000 braking tests found the Michelin to stop on average (from 50kph) in 35.36 meters, compared to the average from a Dunlop Winter Sport 4D and Continental Winter Contact TS830P to be 38.76 meters. Testers noted they found the Michelin to be noticeably sharper on the front axle than the Pirelli, offering a much more stable turn in on snow and ice, while offering broadly similar braking and traction in and out of the corners.

More impressive was the road section of driving. On a cold damp road, the Michelin winter tyres impressively withstood the torque of a 911, allowing it to flex it muscles away from the traffic lights without drama, something that's impressive even on a summer tyre!

MichelinPA4-E.jpg


The Porsche Connection

The N rated Pilot Alpin 4 took 4 years to develop, and Michelin created over 20 different tyre specifications equating to over 2000 tyres tested before the homogenisation of the 20" winter tyre.



N Rated Tyres Sizes - Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4

265/40 R19 98V N1
265/45 R19 105V EXTRA LOAD N0
285/40 R19 103V N1
235/40 R19 92V N1
245/35 R20 91V N1
255/40 R20 101V XL TL N0
275/40 R20 106V EXTRA LOAD N0
285/35 R20 104V XL N0
295/30 R20 101V XL N1
315/35 R20 110V EXTRA LOAD N0


__________________________
[1] The MICHELIN Pilot Alpin PA4 was rated highest overall in terms of braking, traction, handling and grip when cornering on wet,
icy and snow-covered surfaces, compared with its main competitors. Tests conducted by TàœV SàœD in 2012 on 245/40 R 18 V
Tyres available and purchased in the European market in November 2011.
[2] On average, compared with its main competitors in Europe (when decelerating from 80-0 km/h). Tests conducted by TàœV SàœD
in 2012 on 245/40 R 18 V Tyres available and purchased in the European market in November 2011.
[3] Compared with its main competitors in Europe. Tests conducted by TàœV SàœD in 2012 on 245/40 R 18 V Tyres available and
purchased in the European market in November 2011.
__________________________

 

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The MICHELIN Latitude Alpin,

Safely providing mobility, winter after winter

The performance of the new MICHELIN Latitude Alpin tyre for premium SUVs has also been measured by an independent organization. It can be considered No. 1 for safety in cold weather driving conditions[1], winter after winter, as it delivers superior performance in three areas:
- Enhanced safety. It brakes two meters shorter on snow-covered roads and four meters shorter on icy roads[2].
- Enhanced control. It sets the standard for grip when cornering on snow-covered or icy roads[3].
- Enhanced mobility. It delivers the best traction on snow and ice [3].

MichelinLA2-A.jpg


When designing the tyre (see 'Technical Close-Up" below), the team focused simultaneously on tyre architecture, the tread pattern and the rubber composition. The tyre's robustness has been adapted for SUV use and it delivers superior handling, even when carrying heavy loads. It is also highly resistant to sidewall impact.

The tread features a large number of motifs, with more biting edges and sipes than the previous-generation tyre. The 2012 version of the MICHELIN Latitude Alpin has up to 40% more biting edges and 75% more sipes than its predecessor.

Technologies for high-performance vehicles

MichelinLA2-C.jpg


Using a conception of winter tyres design called Ridge-n-Flex which represents an optimal alliance of two elements:
- a heavily grooved tread pattern for greater grip on winter roads, with interlaced elements (StabiliGrip sipes) to ensure the optimum rigidity for greater driving precision
- and a flexible rubber compound (HelioCompound 3G) for better grip on wet and icy roads which keeps its elasticity even at low temperatures.

It combines excellent traction with superior snow and ice braking performance. The tread patterns feature more biting edges* and more sipes**

N Rated Tyres Sizes - Michelin Latitude Alpin PA4

265/45 R20 104V N0
295/40 R20 106V N0


______________

*Compared with the previous generation:
- up to 74% more for the MICHELIN Pilot Alpin.
- up to 40% more for the MICHELIN Latitude
Alpin.

**Compared with the previous generation:
- up to 135% more for the MICHELIN Pilot Alpin.
- up to 75% more for the MICHELIN Latitude
Alpin.

______________
[1] The MICHELIN Latitude Alpin LA2 was rated highest overall in terms of braking, traction, handling and grip when
cornering on wet, icy and snow-covered surfaces, compared with its main competitors. Tests conducted by TàœV
SàœD in 2012 on 245/40 R 18 V tyres available and purchased in the European market in November 2011.
[2] On average, compared with its main Europe competitors (when decelerating from 50-0 km/h). Tests conducted
by TàœV SàœD in 2012 on 235/65 R 17 H tyres available and purchased in the European market in November 2011.
[3] On average, compared with its main competitors in Europe. Tests conducted by TàœV SàœD in 2012 on 235/65 R
17 H tyres available and purchased in the European market in November 2011.
 

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