New Porsche 911 GT3 to feature Michelin fitment

NURBURG, Germany—Porsche A.G. has selected the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tires an an original equipment fitment on the 2022 911 GTE (992), the seventh generation of the German car maker's iconic 911 GT3 line.

Additionally, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R Connect tires will be available as a dealer-fit option "for those who wish to push on-track performance to the limit," Michelin Group said.

During testing on the 12.9-mile long Nuerburgring Nordschleife race circuit in Germany, a 911 GT3 fitted with the Pilot Sport Cup 2 R Connect tires posted a lap time of just under 7 minutes, one of the fastest times ever for a vehicle with street-legal tires.

Driven by Porsche test driver Lars Kern, the 911 GT3 was fitted with the Michelin rubber in sizes 255/35 ZR 20 (front) and 315/30 ZR 21 (rear). The production car fitment will be Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires in the same sizes.

During preparations for the Nuerburgring tests, Porsche tested tires from three different (unidentified) manufacturers at the Hockenheim race circuit, Michelin said, before selecting the Pilot Sport Cup 2 R Connect because it offered the best track performance.

"The combination out of the new Porsche 911 GT3 and the Michelin tires feels incredibly balanced," Kern said. "The grip is super high and the response and driveabilty are on another level."

Developed for drivers who want "ultimate" performance during days on track, the Pilot Sport Cup 2 R Connect tires combine the casing design based on that of the Pilot Sport Cup 2 with motorsport rubber compounds. In addition, they can be fitted with Michelin Track Connect sensors that enable them to be used with the Michelin Track Connect smartphone application, the company said. This application allows drivers to constantly monitor tire pressures in real time so that they can be adjusted to achieve optimum performance when circuit driving.

The OE Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires have been designed specifically for the new 911 GT3 with newly developed dual rubber compounds front and rear.

At the beginning of October, Porsche and Michelin extended their cooperation agreement for four more years.

In addition to the development partnership in the production vehicle sector, the cooperation in motorsport was confirmed once again: Michelin is the exclusive partner of Porsche Motorsport in the GT works program WEC and the majority of the international Porsche one-make cup series, including the factory-organized Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup.

The companies also declared their intent to collaborate on additional projects with a focus on sustainability.