The 2018 Ford Mustang GT will debut new custom-constructed Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S high-performance summer tires.
Using learnings from both the GT350 and GT supercar programs, Ford and Michelin engineers worked hand in hand to develop an optimal tire for the Mustang GT Performance Package, placing a premium on braking distance and lateral grip.
“We took everything we learned at the track, including feedback from professional drivers, to create a tire custom-tuned for Mustang GT,” said Gary Swingle, Michelin tire engineer.
According to Ford, a variety of factors make the Pilot Sport 4 S tire uniquely tuned for Mustang. A hybrid elastomer makes up the outer rib and delivers exceptional dry grip, helping distribute pressure across the tire’s surface, reducing hotspots under hard use. The middle and inner ribs feature a new mix of functional elastomers and silica for increased grip and braking in wet conditions.
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The tires also feature Michelin’s Limited Edition Premium Touch sidewall treatment, which uses lasers to give the sidewalls a velvet looking effect.
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S tires are the current darlings of the top European performance car makers, and the Mustang has been tasked with debuting them to a mass-market North American audience. Sized 275/40-19 for the rear and 255/40-19 for the front, the new rubber is a big part of the new Mustang’s sub-four-second 0-60 mph time.
Look for 2018 cars to begin rolling into dealerships any day now.
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