Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 vs Bridgestone Potenza S007 RS: Welcome, auto enthusiasts and speed demons alike, to the ultimate showdown in the realm of semi-slick, street-legal tires: the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 vs the Bridgestone Potenza S007 RS. On one side of the ring, we have the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2, a titan in the performance tire market, renowned for its track-to-street versatility. Famed for its high-speed stability and exceptional handling, the Pilot Sport Cup 2 is the go-to choice for many professional and amateur drivers. Developed in partnership with motorsport giants, it offers uncompromising grip, precise steering, and a consistency that stands the test of time and tarmac.
Opposing this heavyweight, we have the Bridgestone Potenza S007 RS, a tire engineered with track-born blood. An emblem of Bridgestone’s heritage of excellence and innovation, the Potenza S007 RS promises high-speed confidence and enhanced grip that caters to the needs of the most demanding drivers. A reflection of high-performance polymers and state-of-the-art tread designs, it gives you control like you’ve never experienced before.
Today, these two legends in the performance tire industry will lock horns in a battle on the blacktop. This is the realm where split-second decisions are made, where adhesion and acceleration dance on the edge of control, and where every ounce of grip can mean the difference between the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. So, buckle up, folks! It’s time for the rubber to meet the road in the ultimate face-off: the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 vs the Bridgestone Potenza S007 RS. Who will take home the crown in this track battle? Only the tarmac will tell.
Table of Contents
Results : Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 vs Bridgestone Potenza S007 RS
Results below were taken from the 2020 UHP, UUHP and Track Day Tyre Test which includes 10 top tires in the market from various segment. The graph below shows the comparison between Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 vs Bridgestone Potenza S007 RS based on the relevant performance category. The Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 was set as a reference hence at the 100% mark. Note that for subjective evaluation, we equate 1 point as 5%. Hence for example if tire A is graded 7 while tire B is graded 6, A is better than B by 5%.
The tire size of interest is 245/35 R19 which is a common tire size for Mercedes-Benz C 350 E Avantgarde and the BMW 2 Competition. You can check out our latest tire size table for more information. The testing vehicle is a standard Mercedes AMG A45 S.
Dry
Let’s delve into the gritty details of these top-notch tires’ performance on dry terrain, where grip and precision truly shine, and milliseconds matter.
Beginning with dry braking, arguably one of the most critical aspects in both safety and performance, the data demonstrates a clear advantage for the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2. It took the lead with a 1st place finish, pulling out all the stops at an impressive 32.7 meters. Conversely, the Bridgestone Potenza S007 RS struggled slightly in comparison, ending up in 6th place with a stopping distance of 34.3 meters. This 1.6-meter disparity underscores the edge the Michelin tire has when it comes to sudden halts, potentially making all the difference in a tight race or emergency situation.
Moving on to dry handling, a crucial factor for maintaining control and speed in the corners, both tires put up a remarkable fight. The Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 clinched another victory, conquering the track at a blazing 135.9 km/h. The Bridgestone Potenza S007 RS was hot on its heels, however, taking 2nd place at a nearly neck-to-neck 134.5 km/h. While the speed difference may seem minimal, over the duration of a race, every fraction of a second counts.
Finally, let’s consider the subjective dry handling, a measure of how the driver perceives the tire’s performance. The Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 shone once more, with drivers awarding it 12 points, a testament to its superior feel and control. The Bridgestone Potenza S007 RS wasn’t too far behind, earning a respectable 9 points and coming in 3rd, demonstrating its commendable driver feedback and handling.
In conclusion, in this dry condition showdown, the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 seems to have an edge over the Bridgestone Potenza S007 RS in terms of braking, handling speed, and driver perception. However, the Bridgestone tire remains a formidable opponent, keeping pace in this high-stakes race of rubber.
Potenza S007 RS :
- -4.7% in dry braking
- -1% in dry handling (lap time)
- -15% in dry handling (subj)
Wet
Even though semi-slick tires are primarily designed for dry track conditions, wet performance is an unavoidable requirement due to street legality and the unpredictable nature of weather. However, a balancing act always exists in tire design—improving wet performance often involves trade-offs in dry performance, and vice versa. Now, let’s analyze the wet performance of the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 and the Bridgestone Potenza S007 RS, beginning with wet braking.
In the wet braking test, both tires faced challenges. The Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 finished in 8th place with a braking distance of 34 meters, while the Bridgestone Potenza S007 RS was close behind, coming in 9th with a distance of 34.7 meters. This demonstrates the inherent difficulty that semi-slick tires face in wet conditions due to their optimized dry performance.
Wet handling is another key consideration. Despite their prowess in the dry, both tires struggled to maintain their top-tier positions in this category. The Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 landed in 8th place, reaching a speed of 76.8 km/h. Similarly, the Bridgestone Potenza S007 RS ranked 9th with a top speed of 74.9 km/h. The dip in ranking underlines the dry-wet performance trade-off we discussed earlier. As for subjective wet handling, the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 claimed 5th place with 7 points, while the Bridgestone Potenza S007 RS settled for 8th with 6 points. Despite the suboptimal rankings, both tires showed commendable capabilities, maintaining relatively good driver feedback under less than ideal conditions.
When it came to the wet circle test, the Bridgestone Potenza S007 RS slightly outperformed the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2, finishing in 7th place with a result of 6.79 m/s, whereas the Michelin tire finished in 9th place with a result of 6.46 m/s.
Finally, the straight aquaplaning test revealed more of the challenges faced by these tires in wet conditions. The Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 finished 8th, achieving a speed of 75.9 km/h, while the Bridgestone Potenza S007 RS found itself in 10th place with a speed of 70.4 km/h.
In conclusion, while both tires demonstrated exceptional performance in dry conditions, their wet performance showed the inevitable trade-offs that come with designing high-performance semi-slick tires. Nonetheless, they both still provide a fair level of control and safety for those rainy days on the road.
Potenza S007 RS :
- -2% in wet braking
- -2.5% in wet handling (lap time)
- -5% in wet handling (subj)
- +5.1% in wet circle
- -7.3% in straight aquaplaning
Noise & Comfort
Noise, Vibration, and Harshness (NVH) factors, including subjective comfort and noise level, do come into play for racing tires that are intended to be street legal, though they may not be the primary focus when compared to performance attributes.
In the subjective comfort category, the Bridgestone Potenza S007 RS substantially outperformed the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2. It secured 3rd place with 8 points, suggesting a more comfortable ride relative to its competitor. Meanwhile, the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 found itself further down the ranks in 10th place, receiving a score of 6 points. Although comfort may not be the top priority in a racing context, a higher comfort level can contribute to a more pleasant driving experience during everyday use.
When it came to noise, the Potenza S007 RS showed a clear advantage, registering the lowest noise level at 70.8 dB and thus earning 1st place. The Pilot Sport Cup 2 was a bit louder, clocking in at 72.8 dB and landing in 9th place. Although noise levels are often overlooked in favor of performance in racing scenarios, lower noise can contribute to a more comfortable and less fatiguing experience, particularly for street use. In summary, the Bridgestone Potenza S007 RS has a slight edge in terms of NVH factors in this comparison.
Potenza S007 RS :
- +2.8% in exterior noise (-2 dB)
- +10% in subjective comfort
Rolling Resistance
Rolling Resistance (RR) often ranks lower on the list of considerations during the development of performance-oriented semi-slick tires like the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 and the Bridgestone Potenza S007 RS. Yet, it’s still worth taking a brief look at how these two tires fare in this regard.
In our test, the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 placed 8th with a rolling resistance of 9.8 kg/t. The Bridgestone Potenza S007 RS, on the other hand, found itself at the back of the pack, landing in 10th place with a slightly higher rolling resistance of 10.5 kg/t.
While these positions and values might seem less than impressive when compared to more fuel-efficient tires, it’s crucial to remember the primary focus of these tires – providing maximum performance and grip for racing applications. Therefore, while the Pilot Sport Cup 2 exhibits a slightly lower RR than the Potenza S007 RS, this factor typically doesn’t heavily influence the overall evaluation of these high-performance, track-oriented tires.
Potenza S007 RS :
- -6.7% in rolling resistance
Price
In terms of pricing for the tire size 335/30ZR20, the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 is currently listed at $666. Known for its uncompromising performance and exceptional grip, it certainly offers value for those seeking superior track and road performance.
Tire size: 335/30ZR20
- Pilot Sport Cup 2 : $666
- Potenza S007 RS : –
As for the Bridgestone Potenza S007 RS, we eagerly anticipate its market entry. Its official price has not been released yet, as it’s still pending its official launch. However, given its promising performance results and Bridgestone’s heritage of innovation, it’s expected to compete favorably in the high-performance tire market.
Stay tuned for more updates on the Potenza S007 RS pricing, as we will be bringing you the latest information as soon as it becomes available. The world of high-performance, semi-slick tires continues to evolve, and we’re here to keep you at the cutting edge.
Summary
As our comprehensive comparison reaches its end, it’s clear that the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 emerges as a titan in the world of track-oriented, street-legal tires. Its superior performance in dry conditions, coupled with impressive subjective handling results, has confirmed its place at the pinnacle of its category. This tire is a testament to Michelin’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of what a semi-slick tire can achieve, delivering an outstanding blend of speed, grip, and control that most drivers can only dream of.
However, its premium performance comes with a corresponding price tag. The Pilot Sport Cup 2 is certainly on the higher end of the spectrum when it comes to cost, a testament to the advanced technology and engineering prowess invested in its development. Yet, for the true racing enthusiast who values every fraction of a second shaved off lap times and craves the thrill of ultimate control, this tire might just be worth the investment.
In contrast, we eagerly await the official launch of the Bridgestone Potenza S007 RS, which has shown promising results and could offer a competitive alternative in the semi-slick, street-legal tire market. Keep your eyes on the track as the story of high-performance rubber continues to unfold!