The new Ford Focus RS will be exclusively equipped with Michelin tyres. The Michelin Pilot Super Sport, in the dimension 235/35/19, will be fitted on the Focus RS as standard and the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 (in the same dimension) will be available as an option for improved performance on tracks.
The new Ford Focus RS is a particularly demanding and sporty vehicle, representing a precise in-depth challenge for Michelin engineers, to specifically develop these two tyres in order to propose tyres able to meet safety standards and the expectations of Ford teams. This advanced development process was carried out over almost 2 years, during which the car hit the tarmac of several tracks.
Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 and Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyre technologies:
An aramid belt
The main characteristics of the aramid (high resistance fibre) belt is its high traction resistance. This component is both light and resistant. At equivalent weight, aramid is five times stronger than steel. The profile of the tyre at high speeds is fully controlled and the tyre’s ground footprint stays constant even at very high speeds, ensuring maximum grip at all times.
Tread mixture
The rubber used for the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tread is based on Bi-Compound technology. The same applies for the Michelin Pilot Super Sport, which is adapted for use on both roads and tracks. The Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 is produced using the same units as competition tyres, and the rubber on the external wall consists of an elastomer with a high molecular mass, ensuring exceptional dry grip on bends, particularly tight bends. A more rigid elastomer is used for the rubber on the inside wall of the tyre to ensure precision guidance on the road.
For the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2
The Track Variable Contact Patch 3.0®
This innovation can optimise pressure in the contact surface area of the tyre in order to ensure that the same amount of rubber is in contact with the track whether the car is heading straight or going around a bend, including for tight bends. This technology is combined with the Track Longevity Patch, which consists of a third specific rubber mixture for the shoulders, ensuring a longer life on tracks.
The new low area
This new low area is 10% wider than the traditional low area of a sports tyre. This area is reinforced using high modulus rubber to increase the lateral rigidity of the tyre and ensure exceptional driving precision and sporty handling.
Velvet sidewalls
The Michelin Premium Touch technology creates contrast and shades of black, with an almost velvet-like appearance, on some parts of the external side wall, creating a micro geometry which absorbs light.
For the Michelin Pilot Super Sport
With the Variable Contact Patch 2.0, the surface area of the tyre in contact with the road benefits from variable geometry. This guarantees the absolute control of the vehicle. In fact, on bends, while the shape of the contact area may change, the rubber surface area in contact with the ground will remain constant.
The very high levels of performance achieved by the new MICHELIN Pilot Sport Cup 2 and Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres are the outcome of strong and constant investment in Research and Development. Over 600 million euros are invested each year. This performance is also the result of the Michelin Total Performance strategy, which involves constantly and jointly improving tyre performances in general.
Dimensions:
Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2: 235/35 R 19
Michelin Pilot Super Sport: 235/35 R 19