Michelin Pilot Sport 5 vs Pirelli P Zero PZ4: The Michelin Pilot Sport 5 and Pirelli P Zero PZ4 are two high-performance tires specifically designed for sports cars and high-end vehicles. Although both tires are popular among enthusiasts, there are some notable differences between them. In this article, we will compare the latest iterations of these two products – the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 and the Pirelli P Zero PZ4. These tires are engineered to deliver exceptional grip, handling, and comfort for high-performance vehicles.
As we have previously seen, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 outperformed the Continental Premium Contact 7 in terms of wear and aquaplaning, while the Continental tire was superior in wet and dry braking. Now, we will pit the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 against the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 in a head-to-head comparison to determine the winner of this highly-anticipated duel!
Table of Contents
Results
Results below were taken from the 2023 AutoBild Summer Test while includes an amazing 50 tires from its preliminary braking rounds. Only 20 tires made it through to the final round and a full detail evaluation was completed with these 20 tires. The wet & dry handling performances are evaluated objectively using the average lap speed rather than the preferred subjective ratings.
The graph above shows the comparison between Michelin Pilot Sport 5 vs Pirelli P Zero PZ4 based on the relevant performance category. The Pilot Sport 5 was set as a reference hence at the 100% mark. The tire size of interest is 225/45 R18 which is a common tire size for Mercedes-Benz C 200 and Kia Stinger . You can check out our latest tire size table for more information.
Wet
The quest for safety has always been paramount when it comes to the necessity for wet performance. In this regard, both the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 and the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 exhibit excellent braking capabilities on wet surfaces, as evidenced by their “A” rating in the EU wet label rating. However, the only way to differentiate between their wet braking performance is through a test. Based on the results, the P Zero PZ4 recorded a braking distance of 38.9 meters from 80 km/h, while the Pilot Sport 5 recorded a slightly longer distance of 40.6 meters from the same speed. Despite this difference of 1.7 meters, both tires ranked impressively in the test, with the P Zero PZ4 taking 2nd place and the Pilot Sport 5 taking 7th place among the 50 tires evaluated. These results attest to the superior grip and traction provided by both tires in wet conditions.
In terms of wet handling, the P Zero PZ4 outperformed the Pilot Sport 5 with an average lap speed of 77.2 km/h, compared to the Pilot Sport 5’s 75.5 km/h. Moreover, the P Zero PZ4 proved to be the champion in wet handling, as it achieved the highest average speed throughout the circuit compared to all other tires. However, when it comes to aquaplaning, the Pilot Sport 5 had the upper hand, with a higher slipping speed of 105.7 km/h, compared to the 104.4 km/h achieved by the P Zero PZ4. This trend was also observed in lateral aquaplaning, with the Pilot Sport 5 showing a +0.03 m/s2 advantage over the P Zero PZ4. Overall, both tires excel in different aspects, with the P Zero PZ4 exhibiting a clear advantage in wet braking and handling, while the Pilot Sport 5 leads in the area of aquaplaning.
P Zero PZ4 :
- +4% in wet braking
- +2% in wet handling (lap speed)
- -1% in straight aquaplaning
- -1% in curved aquaplaning
Dry
In terms of dry performance, both the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 and the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 proved to be equally impressive, achieving a stopping distance of 34 meters from a speed of 100 km/h. As with the wet braking results, both tires ranked highly in the test, with the P Zero PZ4 finishing 6th and the Pilot Sport 5 finishing 8th out of 50 other tires evaluated.
In terms of dry handling, the P Zero PZ4 outperformed the Pilot Sport 5, with an average lap speed of 121.3 km/h, compared to the Pilot Sport 5’s 119.1 km/h. Similar to wet handling, the P Zero PZ4 proved to be the best tire in dry handling, topping the charts and outpacing all other 19 competitors. Overall, both tires performed equally well in dry braking, while the P Zero PZ4 demonstrated superior performance to the Pilot Sport 5 in dry handling.
P Zero PZ4 :
- 0% in dry braking
- +2% in dry handling
Noise
The P Zero PZ4 had a slight advantage in terms of noise, being 0.1 dB quieter than the Pilot Sport 5. However, both tires finished towards the lower end of the competition when it comes to exterior noise ranking.
P Zero PZ4 :
- 0% in exterior noise (-0.1 dB)
Rolling Resistance
While rolling resistance is typically not a top priority for those looking for extreme sporty tires, the topic of sustainability has become more prevalent in recent years. It is worth noting that the Pilot Sport 5 has a lower rolling resistance coefficient value of 8.09 N/kN, while the P Zero PZ4 has a higher coefficient value of 8.33 N/kN.
P Zero PZ4 :
- -3% in rolling resistance
Wear
As previously noted, mileage tests are rare, and it is fortunate that Auto Bild conducted them for all 20 tires that made it to the final round of testing. In the mileage test, the Pilot Sport 5 impressed by finishing in 2nd place with a projected mileage of 55,600 KM. This result was significantly better than the P Zero PZ4, which finished 3rd from last with a wear rating of 32,800 KM. The Michelin Pilot Sport 5 demonstrated excellent conflict management by excelling in both wet braking and mileage ratings.
P Zero PZ4 :
- -41% in mileage
Price
It is true that Michelin, being a leader in tire technology, has a higher-priced product in the market. The Pilot Sport 5 is priced €10 higher than the P Zero PZ4.
Tire size: 225/45 R18
Pilot Sport 5 : €170
Difference: -6% more cheaper for P Zero PZ4.
Summary
In summary, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 stands out as a superior tire with exceptional conflict management abilities. When comparing the Pilot Sport 5 to the Pirelli P Zero PZ4, the former outperforms in terms of mileage and rolling resistance, while the latter boasts better wet braking and handling capabilities. Ultimately, the driver’s preferences and driving conditions will determine the better tire choice between the two