Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyre overview — Built for everyday roads with performance at its core

I’ve probably been a very good boy this year because Santa arrived nice and early with a fresh set of rubber for my Porsche 911. This is the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S, which I am super-familiar with having used the earlier set (also PS 4S) extensively, most recently to drive the Trans Arunachal highway from Pangsau pass on the Indo-Myanmar border to Bum La on the Indo-Tibet border. Along the way we encountered some indescribably spectacular roads – the road to Pangsau pass was even shut just to let our convoy through, giving us a private hill climb to harness the full potential of the Porsche and its Michelins.

But then we detoured to do touristy things such as attending a local wedding and that’s where we found terrible sections where we scraped the nose, kissed the underbelly, and blew my top at the organisers. All through those 12 days though, we had not one puncture. No cuts. Going up to Bum La pass we even got snow and while these are summer tyres and my car is the rear-driven Carrera S, not 4S, I had no issues with grip. Which meant that when it was time for new tyres there was to be no experimenting. Stick with what I know best – what I actually know even better, and have even more respect for – after our AMG Experience track days. All four track day weekends at BIC, Kari and MIC were run on Michelin tyres, PS 4S for the most part and they delivered outstanding grip (even when it rained at MIC) ensuring not a single off-track moment despite that wide variety of driving skills on display. They also delivered excellent life, each set lasting nearly two full track days, the latter being a critical factor when running such events.

That’s also a critical factor for me and my car as I don’t intend to, nor can I afford to, change tyres every year. Michelin tyres are tested to deliver a complete set of performance parameters over the lifetime of the tyre – even when it is worn down to 2mm. Michelin have in fact been active in shaping legislation, particularly in Europe, where tyre performance is tested both when new and worn. There’s even a safety orientated, optimised sculptured tread that gives 22 per cent more space to evacuate water in wet conditions, even when worn. Performance, safety and life. That’s value for money. The new Michelins have transformed my 997.2 Carrera S, as you’d expect from a new set of tyres. There’s better ride comfort. More grip, all the better for deploying those horses – and mine are naturally aspirated horses singing through performance pipes. And perfectly suited to the unique rear-engine, rear-drive format of the 911. The layout places particularly extreme demands on rear tyres but the layout also delivers extraordinary grip and bite when firing out of corners, it’s the reason why a 400bhp 911 can easily stick with 600bhp sports cars on track days. You of course need tyres that can harness those 911 traits and that explains why almost every Porsche I’ve ever tested – be it on road or track – has been on Michelins. I have first-hand experience of the quality, grip, performance, and that feel you get through the steering wheel, which is so important. And for lap times, the Cup 2 Rs I’ve experienced on the GT3 RS is extraordinary.

But I didn’t buy my 911 to track it. I bought it for its everyday sports car reputation. To do epic road trips. And that’s why I need ride comfort, puncture resistance and wet weather safety, all without sacrificing outright grip because I like to drive in, let’s call it, a vigorous fashion. It’s everything the Pilot Sport 4 S delivers and it’s part of the larger promise when you buy any Michelin tyre: long-lasting total performance. And now, Santa tells me Pilot Sport tyres will soon be made in India. It’s going to be a good year for performance driving enthusiasts. The Michelin Pilot Sport 4S are priced at ₹43,500 for the front (235/35 R19) and ₹55,000 for the rear (305/30 R19).