The Pirelli P Zero PZ4 and the Michelin Pilot Super Sport are max-performance summer tires built to provide extra cornering, responsiveness, and braking capabilities during hot weather. The traction of PZ4 is better due to its higher contact patch.
However, the hydroplaning resistance of the Pilot Super Sport is more effective because of its relatively wider grooves. Keep reading till the end to get a better understanding of both these tires.
Table of Contents
Comparing PZ4 with Pilot Super Sport
Pirelli P zero PZ4
Michelin Pilot Super Sport
Vs
The PZ4 features an asymmetrical tread design with a higher void ratio as compared to its competitor. As a result, the contact patch of the tire is decreased.
That’s because the lower contact area of the tire combined with unoptimized shoulders leads to a relatively lesser capable tire in terms of dry traction. When it comes to wet surfaces, it lacks traction because of the fewer sipes and lower contact patch. However, its hydroplaning resistance is excellent due to its wider grooves. Due to the lower contact patch, the rolling resistance is lower as well. That’s because less area of the tire comes in contact with the road leading to higher durability and greater mileage.
The Michelin Pilot Super Sport also features an asymmetrical tread design and narrower grooves. As a result, these tires offer a greater contact patch with the road. Maximum grip on the road is ensured due to the greater contact patch. In addition to this, the optimized design shoulder of the tires boosts its handling as well. It also performs very well on wet roads due to numerous sipes and decent contact area. However, its hydroplaning resistance is lower due to its narrower grooves despite having plenty of sipes. Since it has a higher rolling resistance due to a greater contact patch, its tread wears out faster than the PZ4. Therefore, it will not provide higher mileage.
Grip Comparison
A tire’s grip on the road is directly proportional to the contact patch between the road and the tread. A tire’s dry grip is determined by its braking distance on dry roads. A tire with a better grip will stop sooner. Since the PZ4 has lower contact with the ground, its grip on dry and wet roads is compromised. When it comes to wet gripping, the sipes are also involved in the equation. There are no decent sipes available on the tread either. This when combined with the lower contact patch hinders the tire’s wet grip on the road. So, it loses to its competitor in terms of both wet and dry grip.
On the other hand, the Pilot Super Sport has a greater contact patch compared to the PZ4. That’s because these tires have a relatively compact tread pattern along with closely packed tread blocks. This is what improves its traction on dry roads. It stops quicker than the PZ4 while applying brakes because of its increased road grip. The larger contact patch increases its friction with the road which makes it easier to stop on the road. In addition to this, this tire is also the most efficient when it comes to wet gripping. That’s because it is specially manufactured to deliver similar braking in wet conditions as well. The numerous sipes help it to shorten its braking distance on wet roads. Other than that, the asymmetric tread pattern of the tire helps it to shed slush and water for enhanced wet grip. All in all speaking, the Michelin Pilot Super Sport is an excellent option to consider when it comes to buying a tire with a better grip on wet and dry roads.
Handling Comparison
The handling of a tire is originally determined by its shoulders. The shoulders that offer a compact design offer more grip due to the higher contact patch. As a result, the vehicle gets more handling stability and the amount of speed that is reduced due to steering is also lowered. Even though the PZ4 did quite a good job with its shoulders, it still lags behind its competitor. That’s because it features relatively wider grooves on its shoulders. This is what decreases the gripping edge of this tire, leading to a lower contact patch.
In comparison, the Pilot Super Sport offers more handling stability to the drivers due to its higher contact patch of the shoulder. This lowers the amount of speed which is reduced due to steering. The dry handling speed of these tires is quite impressive as compared to the PZ4. Moreover, during the handling on wet roads, the sipes on its shoulders help in keeping the grip maintained. This is what puts it ahead of its counterpart.
Comparison of Hydroplaning Resistance
The condition where the tires are not in contact with the road because of the presence of a considerable amount of water between the two of them is known as hydroplaning. The tires that have wider grooves can smoothly pass through the water while maintaining their grip on the road. In the case of the PZ4, the grooves are wider as compared to its competitor. The deep circumferential grooves result in a better void ratio. This provides for greater volume to be passed through the grooves resulting in a much better hydroplaning resistance.
Whereas, in the case of the Super Sport, the grooves are unfortunately narrower. Therefore, its ability to evacuate water from its tread and stand on wet surfaces is reduced. Moreover, even though it has numerous sipes, they are not much prominent. So, when the weather conditions are extreme, it is unable to outperform the PZ4. That’s because its water evacuating ability due to its narrower grooves is not as good as its counterpart.
Comparison of Rolling Resistance
The force required to keep the tire rolling is known as rolling resistance. So, the higher the rolling resistance of the tire, the more fuel it will require. The Pirelli P Zero PZ4 has a lower rolling resistance due to its lower contact patch. That’s because lesser tread will come in contact with the ground. This will decrease the friction of the tires. Therefore, less amount of force will be required to keep the tire moving.
However, when it comes to the Pilot Super Sport, these tires mainly focus on ensuring excellent grip on dry and wet roads. This results in a greater contact patch leading to higher rolling resistance. The high rolling resistance of these tires also comes at the cost of fuel expenses.
Durability & Treadwear
When it comes to durability and treadwear, the PZ4 are highly durable tires. That’s because the manufacturing of these tires is done using carbon black and special silica tread compound. As a result, they offer high flexibility as compared to the other tires out there. Due to its high tread elasticity and greater flexibility, it offers durability even in high temperatures and rough weather conditions. Additionally, it will not wear out even in tough weather conditions. This is what makes these tires a durable option in comparison to its competitor.
On the other hand, the Michelin Pilot Super Sport is a tire that is prone to more wear and tear because of its higher contact patch. It’s built is also not as strong as that of its counterpart, lowering its durability, leading to rapid wear of its tread, decreasing its mileage.
Price
The Pirelli P Zero PZ4 is a higher-priced tire as compared to its competitor mainly due to its higher mileage, better built, greater hydroplaning resistance, and durability. However, if you are in search of an affordable tire that is better in terms of both dry and wet traction, then the Michelin Pilot Super Sport is an excellent option to consider. However, they come at the cost of quick treadwear.
Summary
- Both the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 and the Michelin Pilot Super Sport are max performance summer tires.
- The dry and wet grip of the Pilot Super Sport is better.
- The dry and wet handling of Michelin is more efficient as well.
- The PZ4 has a higher hydroplaning resistance.
- The rolling resistance of PZ4 is also lower, leading to higher fuel efficiency.
- The Pilot Super Sport’s tread wears out quicker than the PZ4.
- Pirelli costs more than Michelin.
