Porsche and Michelin have jointly developed a new tire that is specially designed for circuit use in wet and low-temperature conditions. The new Michelin Pilot Sport S 5 is a perfect option for prolonging the track-day season. As with all Porsche models, the precise configuration and tuning of all the components is a principal focus, and the tires – the only point of contact with the road – are crucial to this. That is why, for decades, Porsche has been working with selected partners to develop tires that are precisely tailored to Porsche vehicles and their respective intended use. Porsche and Michelin are now presenting a road-legal track tire for the 992-generation Porsche 911 GT3 RS that has been specially developed for circuit use in wet conditions.
“We are responding to demand from our particularly performance-focused customers that have expressed a desire to spend more time on track during spring and autumn,” says Andreas Preuninger, Director GT Vehicles at Porsche. “The new tires significantly increase the annual usage period of the GT3 RS.”
The Michelin Pilot Sport S 5 bears the ‘N’ marking reserved for tires specially developed for Porsche models. The sports car manufacturer now offers four specifications of Michelin tire to choose from for the 911 GT3 RS. The Pilot Sport S 5 is the counterpart to the ultra-high-performance (UHP) Pilot Sport Cup 2 R and establishes a new tire segment. It offers an exceptional level on performance on circuits made additionally demanding due to challenging weather conditions. The Pilot Sport S 5 is also suitable as an everyday tire in countries with predominantly wet and cool weather conditions.
Low lap times, higher level of safety in challenging conditions
As part of developing the new Pilot Sport S 5, since 2022 test drivers have been completing countless kilometers of testing at the Michelin Development Centre in Ladoux, France. Porsche Brand Ambassador Jörg Bergmeister, with his many years of experience as a works driver, contributed to the fine-tuning of the tire. A major development goal was the optimization of the aquaplaning characteristics. The tread pattern, which is specially designed for wet conditions, features four large central grooves with a depth of 7.4 millimeters. Thanks to the greater tread depth, and the resulting increased proportion of negative tread, the tires are able to expel a greater volume of water. “The tire, therefore, improves the stability of the vehicle and raises the threshold at which the tire starts to lose contact with the road (‘aquaplaning speed’),” says Mathieu Greco, a tire developer at Michelin. Contact with the road remains stable even at high speeds.
A high proportion of silica in the rubber compound further improves grip on wet surfaces and ensures the tire gets up to operating temperature faster. The new Pilot Sport S 5, specially developed for Porsche, shows its optimum properties at ambient temperatures between five and 15 degrees Celsius. In these conditions, the wet-weather tire offers a level of grip and precision that would not be achievable with the previous Porsche-approved UHP tires for warmer conditions, which deliver their peak performance at temperatures between 15 and 30 degrees Celsius. “The Michelin Pilot Sport S 5 gets up to temperature very quickly,” says Bergmeister. “In wet conditions and low ambient temperatures, it offers outstanding levels of control and predictability when changing direction.”
The developers have also adapted the material composition and geometry of the tire carcass and optimized the contact patch, both on the straight and in corners. As a result, the tires give a better feel for the limit during demanding driving situations and inspire more confidence in the car’s handling. The result of all these measures is increased safety – and faster lap times – in wet conditions. On a wet, 2.8-kilometer technically demanding ‘3bis’ circuit at the Michelin Development Centre, lap times set by Michelin test drivers with the 911 GT3 RS were more than 10 seconds faster than those achieved with the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 N0 tires fitted.
Precision and performance in warm and dry conditions
Conditions are often changeable in spring and autumn in regions with temperate climates. Extensive testing at the Nürburgring and at Portimão in Portugal in dry weather and ambient temperatures of more than 20 degrees Celsius ensures that the tire also offers a high level of performance outside its core operating window. Various tread designs were intensively tested to find the perfect balance between the front and rear axles.
The result is optimal performance in wet conditions while also meeting the needs of track day enthusiasts and everyday drivers – in terms of the precision, handling and driving stability of the tire – even on dry roads in warm temperatures. Another strength is its high wear resistance, which ensures long-lasting enjoyment of the new Michelin Pilot Sport S 5 N0. The new tire is approved for road use and meets all legal requirements in terms of rolling resistance and noise levels.
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Above content © 2025 Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG reviewed and edited by Rex McAfee
