Porsche and Michelin have announced that they have jointly developed a new tire specifically designed for use on circuits in wet conditions and low temperatures.
The new Michelin Pilot Sport S 5 is intended for the Porsche GT3 RS (generation 992), began development in 2022 with the help of former Porsche driver Jörg Bergmeister, and is notable for featuring a tread with four large central grooves of 7.4 mm, which help to better channel water away from the contact patch. This way, the tire improves vehicle stability and remains stable even at high speeds.
Additionally, this new tire also contains a higher proportion of silica in its compound than usual, which allows for better grip on wet surfaces and optimal performance at temperatures between five and 15 degrees Celsius.
Michelin also revealed that another strong point of the new tire is its high wear resistance. The new tire is approved for road use and meets all legal requirements in terms of rolling resistance and noise levels.
Just like the other tires offered for the 911 designed for track use, these new Michelins measure 275/35 ZR 20 for the front axle and 335/30 ZR 21 for the rear axle, and they will initially be available in the USA, with other markets to follow later.
“We are responding to the demand from our customers particularly focused on performance who have expressed a desire to spend more time on the track during spring and autumn,” said Andreas Preuninger, Director of GT Vehicles at Porsche. “The new tires significantly increase the annual usage period of the GT3 RS.”
