Ford has chosen to equip all of its new Focus RS models with Michelin Pilot Super Sport and Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres, depending on customer requirements.

Unveiled at the Frankfurt motor show in September 2015, the new Ford Focus RS will be fitted with Michelin’s flagship Pilot Super Sport road tyres in 235/35 ZR 19 front and rear, or if customers want a more track-focused package Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres are available as an option in the same size.

Ford has a long history of producing the RS versions of its cars and as these are among some of the most exciting and best handling on the road, choosing tyres that matched the characteristics of the car was very important for Ford’s chassis engineers. To this end, and following extensive road and track testing, the Michelin tyres were chosen.

Commenting on this, David Put, Ford development engineer and driver said: ‘The Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyre offers a surprising level of grip thus reducing lap times on the track, while bringing a highly appreciable level of precision to road handling for the Focus RS, while maintaining its playful, dynamic character. This is all thanks to the joint work carried out by the Michelin and Ford Performance teams, with a level of mutual understanding which enabled us to promote the wild temperament of the car’.

Both tyres share technologies developed in Motorsport, including a variable tension high-density fibre belt to ensure high-speed stability. Due to its variable tension, the belt tightens the tread area more than the shoulders and as a result, centrifugal force is more effectively overcome and pressure is more evenly distributed throughout the contact patch.

The tyres also features a Bi-Compound tread, which was originally developed for racing tyres, where different rubber compounds are used on the left and right sides of the tread to ensure high and consistent grip levels in a variety of weather and road conditions.

The Michelin Pilot Super Sport employs Variable Contact Patch 2.0 which means that although the contact area’s shape changes when cornering, the amount of rubber in contact with the road remains the same for consistent and high levels of grip.

A development of the above, the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 uses Variable Contact Patch 3.0. This innovation optimises pressure in the contact area of the tyre to ensure that the same amount of rubber is in contact with the track whether the car is driving in a straight line or cornering. However, this technology is combined with the Track Longevity Patch, which consists of a third specific rubber mixture for the shoulders, ensuring a longer life during track driving.

These technological tyre innovations, which were developed on racetracks around the world, and Michelin’s commitment to its Total Performance strategy mean that drivers can take full advantage of the advanced chassis and thrilling driving dynamics of the Ford Focus RS.