French tire manufacturer, Michelin have just launched their latest version of the Pilot Sport range. Previously known as Pilot Sport 2, this now jumps to pilot Sport 3. One might think that tyre technology is pretty much sorted out with modern materials helping the old natural rubber to do a decent all-round job, but technology is always on the move, looking for ways to tweak extra performance and, most importantly, better fuel economy.
So a few journalists travelled to Almeria in southern Spain where Michelin has its second test ground, especially for hotter climates. This centre covers an extensive area that includes 50 different test tracks. Overkill, you might say. But then, the tyres that need to be tested range from motorcycle to giant Caterpillar trucks used in the mines. These tyres weight up to 4,5 tons and require pretty hefty apparatus for changing. No bottle jacks here. A feature will appear in the April issue of CAR magazine with more detailed info.