To improve the performance of Mercedes-AMG’s One hypercar, Michelin was chosen to design a custom-made road-legal tire, which resulted in the production of the Pilot Sport Cup 2 R MO1.
The tire was developed in close collaboration with Mercedes-AMG to ensure it complemented the vehicle’s performance levels on both the road and the track. A slick tire has also been designed for track use only.
“Michelin and AMG began the collaboration very early on this project,” explained Bertrand Fraenkel, Supersport OEM tire development manager at Michelin. “The two teams worked together throughout the program. These discussions enabled Michelin to design a specific, extremely high-performance tire allowing the potential of this exceptional vehicle to be exploited.”
The Pilot Sport Cup 2 R MO1 delivers a very high level of grip and wear resistance due to a special choice of rubber compounds that stem from motorsport activities. The compound – when coupled with a specific bead zone developed for the AMG ONE – provides excellent grip levels, stability at high speeds, faster cornering, and traction and balance when exiting corners.
The tire also features a host of other technologies developed by Michelin, including a hybrid belt made of aramid and nylon for precise steering inputs. Additionally, an external shoulder reinforced with a special rubber is highly resistant to abrasion for endurance when used on the track. Furthermore, the tire manufacturer has used its bi-compound technology on the outer shoulder of the tire to provide maximum grip on tight corners, and a more rigid elastomer on the inside to further enhance steering precision.
“In many respects, the Mercedes-AMG One is a very extreme vehicle with many technologies borrowed from top-level motorsport,” commented Dirk Heldmann, head of tire development at Mercedes-AMG. “It was therefore clear from the beginning of the development that it must also have the maximum performance for road-approved tires. That’s why we deliberately chose the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R. This tire combines a slick-like grip level with precise handling and a unique design. The sidewall features the silhouette of the Mercedes-AMG One and, of course, it also bears the MO1 marking – our rating for a tire custom-made for the respective AMG vehicle.”
The new tire will be fitted to all 275 vehicles and will be manufactured in Clermont-Ferrand, France. It will be available in two sizes for the Mercedes-AMG One: 285/35 ZR19 (103Y) XL and a 335/30 ZR20 (108Y) XL. The Michelin Pilot Sport slick tire will be available in 285/35 ZR19 for the front, and 335/30 ZR20 for the rear.
