Michelin sets new Nurburgring record with Pilot Sport Cup 2 and new Mégane R.S. 275 Trophy-R

MANILA, Philippines – Germany’s Nürburgring racetrack, the international benchmark for demonstrating the performance of the world’s leading sports cars, now has a new world record in the FWD category. A lap time of 7 minutes 54.36 seconds was set by the new Mégane R.S. 275 Trophy-R fitted as original equipment with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires.

The performance of the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2, which ran with a tire size of 235/35R-19, can be summed-up in a few facts and figures:

• 1,500 km

The distance traveled by the Renault Mégane RS Trophy R on the Michelin Technology Center test tracks in Ladoux, France to fine-tune the tire specifically for use on cars.

• 470

The number of prototype tires manufactured as part of the certification and on-car development process.

• 400

The number of pre-series tires manufactured for use in initial trials.

And most importantly

• 275 hp

The power developed by the engine of the new Mégane R.S. 275 Trophy-R, riding on Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires that can withstand a torque of 360 Nm.

“The Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 is remarkable for the grip and speed performances it enables us to achieve, while providing a much-appreciated level of on-road driving comfort,” said Renault Sport driver Laurent Hurgon, “and it’s the product of work carried out jointly by the Michelin and Renault Sport teams, with a level of mutual understanding that allowed us to set this record.”

The specific engineering carried out by Michelin on behalf of Renault Sport improves driving precision, vehicle stability and sportiness, while providing grip, not to mention heat resistance, which enables the tires to perform consistently, lap after lap, even as the tires wear down.

“The northern loop of this legendary racetrack, with its very demanding contours, has enabled us to go even further in developing the tire to perfectly match the parameters of the Mégane R.S. 275 Trophy-R – front-wheel driving and steering, front-heavy weight distribution and a strong ambition to make it around the circuit in record time!” said Pierre Chaput, developer of the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 for the Renault Mégane RS Trophy R.

New technologies used in the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2

Tread rubber compound

The rubber in the tread of the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 is manufactured on the same equipment used to make racing tires and features Bi-Compound technology. The outer rubber is made with a high molecular weight elastomer designed to deliver outstanding dry grip on curves, especially on tight corners, while the inner side of the tire uses rubber made with a more rigid elastomer to ensure precision steering.

An aramid fiber belt

The main feature of the belt made with aramid, a high-tenacity fiber, is its heightened tensile strength. This composite is both light and highly resistant; in fact, it is five times more resistant than steel at equivalent weight. As a result, the tire’s shape is effectively preserved and its footprint remains constant, even at very high speeds, thereby consistently providing optimum grip.

Track Variable Contact Patch 3.0

This innovation optimizes pressure in the tire’s contact patch so the same amount of rubber is always in contact with the track, whether driving in a straight line or cornering, even sharply.

A new bead region

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

“Velvet” sidewalls

Michelin Velvet Technology creates contrast and shades of black giving a velvet look to certain sections of the outer sidewall using micro-geometry techniques that absorb light.

Super sports cars already equipped with the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2:

Porsche 918 Spyder

Porsche 991 GT3 and GT3 RS

Ferrari 458 Speciale

SLS AMG Black Series

And others for which certification is underway.

The outstanding performance delivered by the new MICHELIN Pilot Sport Cup 2 reflects Michelin’s commitment to research and development, which totals more than €600 million a year. It is also the result of the Michelin Total Performance Strategy, which is designed to drive continuous, simultaneous improvement in every aspect of tire performance.