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Comparison: Michelin Pilot Sport 4S vs Michelin Super Sport
Published February 2023 by Track Manual Team
Michelin tires have had a loyal following since 1923, offering everything from affordable tires to high-performance tires commonly found on the latest sports cars. Two tires from the French tire manufacturer that are commonly compared are the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S (MPS4S or PS4S) and the Michelin Super Sport (MSS or PSS). Both are more street-friendly than the track-focused Michelin Sport Cup 2, but still possess exceptional handling, stability, and grip on the road. Letโs take a quick look at the two tires to see which is better one for you.
Intro
The Michelin Pilot Sport 4S is designed for ultimate grip, providing maximum handling and performance in both wet and dry conditions. It is the successor to the Michelin Super Sport and is an improvement over its predecessor.
Core features of the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S
- Hybrid construction of Aramid and Nylon belt. This provides the strength needed for the tire to perform while high-speed cornering.
- Multi-tread compound for both dry and wet performance. Outer portion of tires is constructed of rubber focused on dry handling and braking, while the center and inside is infused silica for wet grip.
- Variable Contact Patch 3.0 is an improvement over 2.0, consisting of a wider contact patch with a reactive tread pattern. This should improve the equal distribution of pressure and temperature of the tire.
- Michelinโs Premium Touch velvet sidewall for extra visual appeal.
Core features of the Michelin Super Sport
- Constructed with Ceinture Twaron, a high-density fiber for high-speed stability and strength.
- Bi-compound tread that uses of two different types of rubber. The outer rubber is designed for cornering, while the inside adapts to road irregularity and wet conditions.
- Variable Contact Patch 2.0 is designed to maintain grip while cornering my maximizing the tires contact patch with the pavement.
Key points from Track Manual
- As the successor of the Super Sport, the Pilot Sport 4S improves in almost every category over its predecessor, making it the preferred choice for a street-track tire.
- More sizes are available for the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S, which makes it a no-brainer if you have aftermarket wheels.
- Both are good choices for daily driving with some track driving, but for majority track driving with some occasional street, we recommend the Michelin Sport Cup 2 over both of these tires.
- The advantage of the Michelin Super Sport is its lower cost, which may be a deciding factor for those on a budget.
Conclusion
The Michelin Pilot Sport 4S and the Michelin Super Sport are both excellent tires, but the MPS4S stands out as a Track Manual recommended tire. If you are looking for an excellent tire for daily driving while offering great performance on the track, the MPS4S should be one of the top tires on your list.
You can purchase the MPS4S here or the MSS here.
You can read more about our other recommended tires here: Top Products for the Track
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