Designing an ultra-high-performance tire often requires sacrificing aspects such as ride quality or noise levels. But what if it didn’t?
What would it be like to drive a sports car or luxury sedan with tires that offer the best of both worlds?
In this review, we’ll find out, as we’ll explore the performance of the Michelin Pilot Super Sport, a tire that has earned the honor of being original equipment on vehicles such as the limited-edition Ferrari 599 GTO.
Photo credit: supremepower.com
TL;DR: Michelin Pilot Super Sport
Before formally starting this review, it is essential to list the pros and cons of this fabulous tire.
Michelin Pilot Super Sport
[amazon fields=”B00G3R0432″ image=”1″ value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_align=”center” image_link=”none”]
PROS
- Excellent market coverage
- Offers an upscale driving experience
- Provides outstanding cornering stability
- Unsurpassed traction in both wet and dry conditions
CONS
- Costly even within its segment
Best For:
High-performance sports cars and luxury sedans/coupes needing a quiet tire that also delivers unmatched performance regardless of driving style or weather conditions
Michelin Pilot Super Sport Performance Ratings
Before discussing the ratings, it is necessary to clarify the reliability of its figures. Statistically, when a tire accumulates more than 5 million miles, its ratings are considered highly reliable since its numbers are unlikely to change over time.
In the case of this tire, as it has more than 12M reported miles, its current position within the Max Performance Summer Tires segment (2 out of 31) could be considered very solid.
That said, it is time to review the performance of this tire in different categories.
To facilitate your navigation, we have provided links in case you want to jump directly to any of these categories.
- Dry Performance
- Wet Performance
- Comfort Performance
- Treadwear Performance
- Warranty
- Specs & Options
- Reviews
Photo credit: tiresvote.com
Michelin Pilot Super Sport Dry Performance
Dry Performance Ratings |
|
---|---|
Dry Overall |
9.5 |
Cornering Stability |
9.6 |
Dry Traction |
9.6 |
Steering Response |
9.4 |
The dry performance can only be described as amazing. Its numbers prove that it is a top-notch tire, capable of maintaining solid grip even in hard cornering. If you like spirited driving and need a tire capable of keeping your car glued to the pavement, this tire is for you.
Michelin Pilot Super Sport Wet Performance
Wet Performance Ratings |
|
---|---|
Wet Overall |
9.0 |
Hydroplaning Resistance |
8.9 |
Wet Traction |
9.0 |
Dry grip is crucial for a sports car; however, it would be useless without excellent wet traction. The amazing hydroplaning resistance makes it clear that this is a tire you can trust. Regardless of weather conditions, this tire ensures precise steering response and fast braking, which is crucial for speed lovers.
Michelin Pilot Super Sport Comfort Performance
Comfort Performance Ratings |
|
---|---|
Overall Comfort |
8.8 |
Ride Quality |
8.8 |
Noise |
8.7 |
One of the qualities we like most about this product is that it is not only a performance-oriented tire but also an excellent choice for luxury cars. In fact, some sizes are available with Michelin’s exclusive Acoustic Technology that adds a layer of sound-absorbing material that lowers noise levels even further.
If you drive a luxury sports car and are looking for a premium driving experience, then this tire will not disappoint.
Michelin Pilot Super Sport Treadwear Performance
Treadwear Performance Ratings |
|
---|---|
Treadwear |
8.1 |
Among the many technologies that Michelin has implemented, we can mention its internal structure with steel belts reinforced by spirally wound Twaron cord. This material allows a perfect fit that, together with Michelin’s Bi-Compound tread rubber, gives this tire extraordinary longevity.
In other words, this tire is built to withstand an aggressive driving style and still provide a long service life.
Michelin Pilot Super Sport Warranty
Treadlife Warranty
6-year warranty or 30,000 miles (whichever occurs first). This warranty is halved when the rear and the front tires are different in size.
Uniformity Warranty
Complaints regarding these tires’ uniformity must be subscribed in the first year of use or the first 2/32″ of wear.
Workmanship / Materials Warranty
Michelin provides an amazing 6-year warranty against defects in workmanship or materials. Moreover, it also offers free tire replacement for the first year, 2/32″ wear, or 25% wear.
Road Hazard Warranty
Sadly, Michelin does not provide this type of warranty for this tire.
Manufacturer Special Warranty
This tire comes with a special warranty consisting of 60-day satisfaction (in which you can exchange the tire for a BFGoodrich or Uniroyal equivalent), and a 3-year flat changing service.
Photo credit: tirerack.com
Tire Rack Road Hazard Warranty
On top of the tread life warranty offered by Michelin, this tire features Tire Rack’s leading warranty that covers refunds of up to $40 for repairs per tire per occurrence. Moreover, if the tire suffers non-repairable damage within the first 2 years, a refund of the original purchase price or replacement purchase price (whichever is less) will be made.
As you would expect from a manufacturer of Michelin’s stature, this product comes with an incredible warranty, which along with Tire Rack’s generous Road Hazard Warranty, makes this tire a good investment.
Michelin Pilot Super Sport Specs & Options
Another advantage of this incredible tire is that it is available in various sizes ranging from 17 inches to 22 inches. In terms of tire width, this tire is available from 205 to 335. Finally, as you would expect from a tire of this level, it has a UTQG of 300 AA A. For more information on UTQG, you can read this article.
Whether you drive a sports car or a luxury sports sedan, this tire is sure to be available in the right size for your car.
Photo credit: prioritytire.com
Michelin Pilot Super Sport Reviews
User reviews confirm the information from the ratings. The level of satisfaction of consumers who have used this tire is astounding. Many do not hesitate to rate it as the best tire they have ever used.
Even under the most extreme driving conditions, the outstanding performance is matched by its quiet and pleasurable driving experience. A combination that has undoubtedly been a decisive factor for many people to repurchase the same tire.
In terms of durability, many reviews come from users who have enjoyed the benefits of this tire for more than 35,000 miles. However, judging from the reviews, these will most likely require replacement after 30k, especially if you like to drive energetically.
The overwhelming level of satisfaction of hundreds of enthusiasts who have already used it only ratifies this tire as one of the best in its segment.
Quick Recap
[amazon fields=”B00G3R0432″ image=”1″ value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_align=”center” image_link=”none”]
Michelin Pilot Super Sport |
|
---|---|
Dry |
9.5 |
Wet |
9.0 |
Comfort |
8.8 |
Treadwear |
8.1 |
End of the Road
In this review, we have had the opportunity to analyze one of Michelin’s best-selling tires in the Max Performance Summer segment, the Pilot Super Sport. This is a tire that will undoubtedly exceed the expectations of both luxury car owners and sports car owners who require a high-end tire that offers a superior driving experience.