Michelin helps Renault break 'ring record

Boulogne-Billancourt – June 16, 2014

 

 

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 seven 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 tyres.

The performance of the MICHELIN Pilot Sport Cup 2 can be summed-up in a few facts and figures:

·     Seven minutes, 54.36 seconds       

The new record set by the Renault Mégane RS Trophy R on the Nürburgring circuit.

·     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 tyre specifically for use on cars. 

·     470

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

·     500

The number of pre-series tyres 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 tyres that can withstand a torque of 360 Nm.

 

* In addition to the 6:57 record set by the Porsche 918 Spyder in 2013.

 

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

“The northern loop of this legendary racetrack, with its very demanding contours, has enabled us to go even further in developing the tyre 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.

The rubber in the tread of the MICHELIN Pilot Sport Cup 2 is manufactured on the same equipment used to make racing tyres 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.

 

The main feature of the belt made with aramid, a high-tenacity fibre, 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 tyre’s shape is effectively preserved and its footprint remains constant, even at very high speeds, thereby consistently providing optimum grip.

 

This innovation optimizes pressure in the tyre’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.

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

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.

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 the Group’s considerable ongoing research and development commitment, 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.

235/35 R 19 Pilot Sport Cup 2

 

 

 

 

Michelin, the leading tire company, is dedicated to sustainably improving the mobility of goods and people by manufacturing and marketing tires for every type of vehicle, including airplanes, automobiles, bicycles/motorcycles, earthmovers, farm equipment and trucks. It also offers electronic mobility support services on ViaMichelin.com and publishes travel guides, hotel and restaurant guides, maps and road atlases. Headquartered in Clermont-Ferrand, France, Michelin is present in more than 170 countries, has 111,200 employees and operates 67 production plants in 17 different countries. The Group has a Technology Center in charge of research, development and process engineering, with operations in Europe, North America and Asia. (www.michelin.com)