Michelin importer Tyreline Distributors recently invited a group of media and dealers to the New Zealand launch of the new Michelin Pilot Sport 3 tyre and the Michelin Latitude HT tyre at  Boomrock on the Wellington coastline.

Unfortunately TyreLine sales and marketing manager Graeme Mead hadn’t expected the 50 knot gale force winds and driving rain which assaulted the venue that day making the four-wheel-drive experience and track circuit even more demanding.

However Kiwi Tyre dealers and motoring writers are a hardy bunch and we weren’t deterred from having a test drive of both the new Pilot Sport 3 and the Latitude HT tyres in some pretty hair raising conditions.

TyreLine has launched the new Pilot Sport 3 to replace part of its Pilot Sport 2 range The Pilot Sport 3 benefits from Michelin’s ongoing technical innovations to deliver a tyre designed for driving pleasure and security in both wet and dry conditions.

The Pilot Sport 3 has been built with advanced technologies, such as the Anti Surf System and Programmed Distortion tyre architecture, all developed at Michelin’s own Technology Center. In addition, the new tyre provides highly precise steering for an enjoyable driving experience. What’s more, unlike any other sports tyre, it also boasts outstanding fuel efficiency and extended mileage among its dynamic qualities.

Michelins Green X low rolling resistance silica formulation will also be available on selected sizes of the Pilot Sport 3. This is the fourth generation of silica tyre since Michelin introduced the fuel saving technology in 1992. According to the company rolling resistance accounts for 20 percent of a vehicles fuel consumption. Therefore in a medium saloon that’s one tank of fuel in five that could be saved by the fitting of low rolling resistance tyres such as the Pilot Sport 3 with Green X technology.

Locally the Pilot Sport 3 will be available in 26 sizes with V, W and Y speed rated options available in 15-inch to 19-inch tyres  from 185 to 285 aspects.
The Pilot Sport 3 has already been chose by Audi and Mercedes-Benz as original equipment for many of their new models.  

While we cannot vouch for the dry driving experience the Pilot Sport 3 shod Mercedes-Benz C300 certainly exhibited excellent grip and stability in the wet conditions on the Boomrock track circuit and skidpan.

Statistics gathered in Europe show that accidents tend to occur during changing weather conditions. When a tyres grip weakens, cornering and braking become critical safety issues. According to a comparative study by the independent German technical services firm TÜV Automotive, the new Pilot Sport 3 delivers better grip when cornering and brakes three metres shorter* than its predecessor, which has long been recognized by carmakers for its road-holding capabilities**..

The Michelin Latitude HT  (Highway Terrain) tyres fitted to a Mitsubishi Challenger SUV had excellent bite in the muddy conditions of the four-wheel-drive course, which got even muddier and slipperier as the various drivers churned through. Michelin rate the Latitude HT as an 80/20 tyre eg, 80 percent on-road and 20 percent off-road but its grip and ability was such that we felt it was more like an AT (all terrain tyre) which has a 70 percent on-road and 30 percent off-road performance quotient.

Although not yet a household name in New Zealand Michelin should be.

The company designs, manufactures and sells tyres for every type of vehicle, including aeroplanes, automobiles, bicycles, earthmovers, farm equipment, heavy-duty trucks, motorcycles and the space shuttle. The company also publishes travel guides, maps and atlases covering Europe, Asia, Africa and North America. 

Michelin globally is presently represented in 170 countries, has 129,000 employees and operates 71 production plants in 19 different countries.

*Test performed in 2009 by independent technical services firm TÜV SÜD Automotive on size 245/40 ZR 18 Y tyres.**The MICHELIN Pilot Sport range is certified for use on more than 200 models.