Brand new! Michelin's fifth generation tire is here
Michelin has announced the Primacy 5, a new tire for passenger cars and SUVs that brings substantial improvements in key performance areas. The new Primacy 5 tire wears more than 20% longer than its predecessor, the Primacy 4+, which means an additional 7,000 kilometers (4,300 miles) of use before it needs to be replaced.
The increase in service life does not come at the expense of wet performance. Independent testing by TÜV SÜD shows that the Primacy 5 improves new wet braking by 8% compared to the Primacy 4+. Tests were conducted on a Volkswagen Golf 8 with 205/55 R16 91V tires at speeds of 80 to 20 km/h. Importantly, the tires maintained their wet grip performance when worn to the legal tread depth indicator.
Rolling resistance has been reduced by 5% over the previous model, as tested by TÜV SÜD on the same dimensions. This improvement helps reduce fuel consumption in petrol cars and extend the range of electric vehicles. The lower rolling resistance combined with the longer wear life contributes to a 6% reduction in environmental impact over the life of the tyre.
Technical improvements include a new patented tread pattern with 10% deeper channels for improved water drainage. Michelin has also developed a new rubber compound specifically for this tyre. The tread pattern design has a particular focus on noise reduction, and the coordinated positioning of the block and sipes helps to minimise interior and exterior noise levels.
Development focused on making the Primacy 5 suitable for all powertrains. Modern vehicles, especially EVs and SUVs, place increasingly higher demands on tyres due to their higher weight and immediate torque delivery. The tyre's construction has been optimised to meet these demands while maintaining performance for petrol, hybrid and electric applications.
Test data details:
Wear test conducted by DEKRA Test Center on Tesla Model 3 using 235/45 R18 98W and Y tires
Wet brake test conducted by TÜV SÜD on 205/55 R16 91V, comparing new and worn specimens
Rolling resistance measured during machine testing by TÜV SÜD using 205/55 R16 91V
The tire has an EU wet grip class of A, making it one of the best performing tires in this safety-critical area. The first 64 sizes will be available in Europe from January 2025. The range will be expanded to 87 sizes by 2025, with Asian markets set to receive the tire from March 2025. Michelin plans to offer 149 sizes by mid-2026, covering a wide range of passenger cars and SUVs.
Improvements in wear life and rolling resistance help reduce running costs, while maintained wet grip ensures the tire is safe over its extended service life. These advances reflect Michelin's focus on developing tires that meet the changing needs of modern vehicles while reducing impact on the environment.
