BMW has chosen the Michelin Pilot Super Sport as the sole 21-inch fitment for its new high-performance X5M and X6M Sports Activity Coupé.
From its market launch in early 2015, the BMW X5M and X6M fitted with the optional 21-inch forged alloy wheels, will be equipped exclusively with Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires. The 285/35ZR21 105Y front and 325/30ZR21 108Y rear ultra-high-performance tires feature a number of Michelin patented technologies including Multi-Compound tread and Variable Contact Patch 2.0.
Michelin has a long and successful relationship with BMW M and has designed tires for many of the manufacturer’s previous models*. These tires are the result of a two-year co-development between BMW M and Michelin. During this development phase around 1,400 prototype tires and 500 pre-production tires were produced and tested to ensure the tires delivered the performance characteristics demanded by the BMW engineers.
Originally developed for endurance race tires, Multi-Compound technology uses different rubber compounds on the left and right sides of the tread. The outer shoulder provides exceptional grip and wear resistance during cornering, intermediate ribs are optimized for steering and handling and the inner shoulder is designed to break through water and provide grip on wet roads.
The innovative feature of the Variable Contact Patch 2.0 is that it changes shape depending on real-time driving conditions, thereby guaranteeing total vehicle control. In this way, even as the patch’s shape changes when cornering, the amount of rubber in contact with the road remains the same.
The combination of these technologies means the Michelin Pilot Super Sport achieves a unique balance between grip, comfort, safety and driving enjoyment that meets BMW M’s exacting standards and makes it suitable for everyday road use as well as on the racetrack in demanding conditions – should the need arise.
Whilst developing the tires, Michelin’s engineers focused on simultaneously improving performance in different areas with no compromise in others, and this is known as Michelin Total Performance. The driver of the BMW X5M and X6M equipped with Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires can enjoy the experience, knowing that the tires deliver maximum safety and long life even in extreme conditions of use.