The new Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyre is the latest generation of road legal track tyres designed for ultra-high performance cars. The performance levels that this tyre offers are clearly demonstrated by the fact that it is the sole OE fitment on recent ground-breaking cars such as the Ferrari 458 Speciale, the Mercedes SLS AMG Black Series and the Porsche 918 Spyder.

Further evidence of the performance of the tyre is highlighted by the Nurburgring lap record set last year by the 918 Spyder and very recently by the Seat Leon Cupra 280, which were both fitted with completely standard versions of this tyre.

Compared to its predecessor, the Pilot Sport Cup+, the new tyre lasts up to 50 per cent longer on track and offers faster lap times* due to technology developed in motorsport at races such as the Le Mans 24 hours. These improvements in performance are achieved with no compromises in other areas, and are an example of Michelin’s Total Performance strategy.

Produced with the same tools used to manufacture racing tires, the tread compound of the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 integrates Bi-Compound technology, which involves the use of different rubber compounds on the inner and outer sections of the tread. The outer rubber is made with a high molecular weight elastomer whose hardness has been specially designed to deliver maximum adherence and outstanding dry grip on curves, especially on tight corners, while the inner of the tyre’s tread uses rubber made with a more rigid elastomer to ensure precise steering response.

Michelin’s Track Variable Contact Patch 3.0 is an innovation adapted from Variable Contact Patch 2.0 technology used in the Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyre. It optimises pressure in the tyre’s contact patch so the same amount of rubber is always in contact with the road or track, whether driving in a straight line or cornering, even sharply.

Internally, a main feature of the tyre is a belt made with aramid, a high-tenacity fibre with a very high tensile strength. This composite is both light and highly resistant; in fact, it is five times more resistant than steel of an equivalent weight. Positioned on the crown under the tread, this strip is applied with variable tension between the shoulders and the centre of the tyre. It is tightened so firmly that it literally locks the tyre structure into a practically inelastic belt. As a result, the tyre’s shape is effectively maintained and its footprint remains constant, even at very high speeds.

The bead region is 10% wider than that of a traditional sports tyre. It is strengthened with a high modulus rubber compound that increases the tyre’s lateral stiffness and delivers sporty responsiveness as well as precise steering.

Visually, a tyre with this level of performance deserves to be noticed and a special tooling process used in the moulds and the Group’s expertise has led to the development of Michelin Velvet Technology®. This solution has made it possible to create contrast and shades of black giving a velvet look to certain sections of the outer sidewall using micro-geometry techniques that absorb light – thus making tyre markings more legible.