Michelin highlighted the launch with on-track tests at the world-class Automotive Research & Testing Center (ARTC) here, a two-hour drive from Taipei Airport.

Yang Sai Hoi, general manager of Michelin Asia (Singapore) Co. said the series of tests allowed media participants from the Philippines, China, Hong Kong and Malaysia to experience the tire’s wet and dry performance, noise reduction, as well as comfort level.

A secret of the PP2’s grip is Michelin’s True Sport Tire (TST) construction, toting high shoulder reinforcement, joint-less nylon caps and full-width steel beltlines, resulting in enhanced response and handling.

In the performance and handling tests, we drove around a course that was short, tight and full of turns, using two 2.0L Mazda 3s, one equipped with 225/40R18 PP2s and the other equipped with 225/40R18 competition tires and filled to 30 psi (pounds per square inch) of pressure following OE (original equipment) specifications.

Jude Morte of Business Mirror observed that the PP2s gave feedback on turns at around 60+ kph; in contrast, the other set of tires gave feedback at around 70-75 kph. The PP2’s quick feedback at lower speeds gives motorists faster reaction time to correct the steering wheel or apply the brakes.

"Our in-house tests demonstrated that the Pilot Preceda generates better steering response and progressive handling as well as higher cornering power when compared with competition in its class," said Olivier Brauen, head of product marketing, Michelin Asia-Pacific.

Since most Asian countries often have prolonged periods of rain, tire grip in the wet as well as in dry conditions is vital.

The PP2 answers this need with an asymmetrical tread design that features bridged center rib sides, extra stability block bars, a five radius tread profile, a new hybrid silica/carbon black/sulfur tread homogenization called Formula G and smaller inside blocks than its predecessor.

This translates to better wet grip and disperses water faster from the contact patch without compromising wear and rolling resistance, making PP2s last longer and providing better control in wet conditions.

We drove two BMW E46 3-Series (one 320i coupe and one 320i sedan) equipped with 225/40R PP2s around a water-doused six-cone slalom track with a hairpin at the end. We noticed smooth transition with very little loss of traction as we drove 65-70 kph around the course’s half-wet, half-dry hairpin.

For the comfort level tests, we got into two Nissan Teanas, one with 215/55R17 PP2s and the other with 215/55R17 competition’s, and both filled to OE-specification tire pressure.

Michelin drivers drove the Teanas across a four-lane straight featuring four different degrees of road roughness at 80 kph, with coasting speeds of up to 40 kph with the engine and aircon turned off. This was meant to discern road noise from engine noise during testing proper.

Perhaps the most exciting part of the test runs is the Pilot Preceda’s road-holding ability test where we took hot laps with Michelin Asia-Pacific motorsports director Regis Jean Denade in a 2005 Subaru Impreza WRX around the ARTC’s 3.575-kilometer high-speed circuit.

When compared with its predecessor, the PP2 has better wet handling and gripping performance resulting in shorter braking advantage — 14 meters versus 14.5 meters, from 60Km/h to 10 km/h braking distance, even at a maximum speed of 270 km/h.

The second part of the hot ride was on board a Renault Formula two-seater car driven by a professional Thai driver who again demonstrated the tire’s gripping performance at speeds reaching 220 kph at the ARTC probing track.

The new tire is also designed for discerning Asian motorists who drive sporty cars like the Nissan 350Z and Mazda RX8, performance and luxury sports packaged vehicles such as the Audi A6 and Mercedes C Class, compact sports packaged cars such as the Honda Civic and Jazz and the Toyota Vios and mini-van sports packaged vehicles like the Honda Odyssey and the Toyota Previa.