Ford and Michelin Team Up - Ford Performance Vehicle Lineup

[BoostBumps]

http://racing.ford.com/enthusiasts/media-room/article/10/ford-and-michelin-team-up-to-provide-custom-engineered-tires-for.html




NOV 3, 2015

[h=2]FORD AND MICHELIN TEAM UP TO PROVIDE CUSTOM-ENGINEERED TIRES FOR FORD PERFORMANCE VEHICLE LINEUP[/h]
- Michelin, producer of some of the world’s highest-performing sports car and off-road tires, to supply fitments for Ford Performance vehicle lineup

- Ford and Michelin engineers collaborate from program inception on unique tire constructions and compounds for each Ford Performance vehicle

- Ford chooses Michelin as its technical associate for all-new Ford GT race program as it prepares to return to Le Mans in 2016

Ford and Michelin are entering into an official relationship for Ford Performance vehicles. Producer of some of the world’s highest-performing sports car and off-road tires, Michelin will provide tire fitments for the Ford Performance vehicle lineup, including Ford GT, Shelby® GT350 and Shelby GT350R Mustang, Fiesta ST, Focus ST and RS, and F-150 Raptor.

Recognizing tires are a critical aspect of a performance vehicle, Ford and Michelin engineers will continue to collaborate from vehicle inception to develop customized tires that meet a wide range of performance targets, including lateral grip; noise, vibration and harshness; and durability. Each tire is independently designed and developed in close collaboration on each program to maximize the vehicle’s performance envelope.

“We have a long relationship with Michelin, and could not ask for a better teammate to help extract maximum capability from our vehicles,” said Dave Pericak, director, Ford Performance. “That confidence extends from our upcoming racing effort at Le Mans in 2016 with the all-new Ford GT, to the Ford Performance vehicle lineup, including Shelby GT350 and F-150 Raptor.”

In addition to its racing support, Michelin will provide both standard and optional tire fitments for Ford Performance production vehicles, including the all-new Ford GT (Michelin Pilot® Sport Cup 2), Shelby GT350 (Michelin Pilot Super Sport), Shelby GT350R (Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2), Focus RS (Michelin Pilot Super Sport; Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 on the optional forged 19-inch wheels), Focus ST (Michelin Pilot), Fiesta ST (Michelin Pilot) and the upcoming 2017 F-150 Raptor (BFGoodrich® All-Terrain T/A KO2).

“Our tire development teams are excited to be working hand-in-hand with Ford on these amazing vehicles,” said Thom Roach, vice president, original equipment marketing, Michelin North America. “The Michelin Pilot tires and BFGoodrich T/A KO2 tires on Ford Performance vehicles are all custom-tuned to help maximize vehicle performance on multiple fronts.”

 

[D1JL]

Is there any talk as to exactly when these new tires will be available for our cars?

Dave

 

[rexdriver85]

Neat. Thanks for posting this. [emoji106]

 

[Joker328]

Interesting. What do you all read into the fact that they name specific tires (e.g., Pilot Sport Cup 2) for some of the cars, but just say "Michelin Pilot" for the STs? You think it is still TBD or maybe it is a new tire that hasn't been revealed yet by Michelin?

 

[CanadianGuy]

Interesting. What do you all read into the fact that they name specific tires (e.g., Pilot Sport Cup 2) for some of the cars, but just say "Michelin Pilot" for the STs? You think it is still TBD or maybe it is a new tire that hasn't been revealed yet by Michelin?

I read it as an off the shelf tire for the pilot ones that will be install on factory cars. I dont see it(atthe low end) being new ford specific tires.

 

[praecurvo]

Well, no shocker here for the FiST'ers. I've already got my pilot AS3's on. Would really like to see some Super Sports available for the FiST.

 

[BoostBumps]

Michelin Man Meets the Focus RS

Published on Nov 2, 2015

Check out our new Ford Performance kicks!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lrh86xe3D4

[video=youtube;4lrh86xe3D4]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lrh86xe3D4[/video]

 

[Perfblue15]

Is there any talk as to exactly when these new tires will be available for our cars?

Dave

Interesting. What do you all read into the fact that they name specific tires (e.g., Pilot Sport Cup 2) for some of the cars, but just say "Michelin Pilot" for the STs? You think it is still TBD or maybe it is a new tire that hasn't been revealed yet by Michelin?

I believe that the 2016 Fiesta ST'S come with Michelin pilot sport AS3 tires from the factory. Hence them claiming they have pilot tires.

 

[D1JL]

I believe that the 2016 Fiesta ST'S come with Michelin pilot sport AS3 tires from the factory. Hence them claiming they have pilot tires.

I am sorry that I was not clear.

I don't wish to buy the car, just the tires.


Dave

 

[Perfblue15]

I am sorry that I was not clear.

I don't wish to buy the car, just the tires.


Dave

Then go to your local Ford dealer and tell them you want Michelin pilot sport AS3's. Problem solved.

 

[NorthernProducer]

I put the AS3's on last year and am happy with their performance.

 

[swilST]

My 2015 ST came with Bridgestone's, just had my first oil change at 4,000 and the front ones were half wore out, guess I need to back out of the gas, can't help it though)) I stopped by another dealer and they had a 15 on the lot with Michelin's on it, wish mine had those, anyone else had issues with tires?

 

[Joker328]

I believe that the 2016 Fiesta ST'S come with Michelin pilot sport AS3 tires from the factory. Hence them claiming they have pilot tires.

That could be it, but those were also an option for 2015 I think. The press release makes it sound like this is a new effort and everything is "customized" and "independently designed and developed" or whatever. I was hoping it meant we'd see something new. It could just be that we will see the OEM fitment of some existing tires (e.g. pilot sports or super sports). I think the only one I've seen in 205/40/17 is the all seasons.

 

[CarefreeAZ]

That could be it, but those were also an option for 2015 I think. The press release makes it sound like this is a new effort and everything is "customized" and "independently designed and developed" or whatever. I was hoping it meant we'd see something new. It could just be that we will see the OEM fitment of some existing tires (e.g. pilot sports or super sports). I think the only one I've seen in 205/40/17 is the all seasons.

The 2015 A/S Tire Option has been carried over to the 2016MY with the addition of a less aggressive (labeled "performance") brake pad.

All-Season Tire Option Brake Pad:

Original pad: