PARIS—Michelin has unveiled a new sport tire which it claims is the first "100 percent connect-ready" product on the market.
The new Michelin Pilot Sport Cup2 Connect tire has been designed with an integrated container intended to receive a sensor. The user inserts the Michelin track connect sensors which help optimize the tire's performance, particularly during track days,the tire maker said.
Premiering as an original equipment fitment on BMW M2 C2, the tire is dedicated to 80 percent on-track and 20 percent on-road. Michelin claims the tire offers a gain of 7.29 seconds after 10 laps.
To improve the feeling and efficiency of the tire, Michelin combined two polyester plies, two steel plies and a polyamide ply in the construction of the product.
In addition, the tire features "wavy summit architecture," which waves the summit plies by the addition of rubber under the structural steel cable of the tire. This helps reduce response time and increase "the feeling of sportiness" behind the wheel, according to Michelin.
Furthermore, the tire maker has employed "dynamic response technology" in the building of tire. This involves using a high density aramid and polyamide hybrid belt to increase driving precision and tire behavior under load. The belt, located just below the tread, is both resistant and light, according to Michelin.
At equivalent weight, the associated polyamide and aramid are claimed to be five times more resistant than steel.
These technical improvements, Michelin said, allow higher cornering speeds and "excellent" stability at high speeds. On the track, this could result into better lap times and more safety on the circuit and on the road.