Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+ Vs. Pirelli P Zero All Season Plus
What is the point of buying a high-performance vehicle if it does not perform well? You may have the best engine under the hood — but the importance of a good set of tires remain inarguable.
Whether you’re on the track or driving around in the city, a car should have good grip, responsive steering control, and a short braking distance — the essentials of a comfortable and safe drive.
If your region is accustomed to heaps of snow each year then you need to choose accordingly. This is why owners of ultra-high performance (UHP) vehicles prefer mounting all-season tires on their car.
We know you are having trouble choosing – what is right for your car – and your region. To help you make a good decision we compared: The Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+ and The Pirelli P Zero All Season Plus.
Let’s delve in and see what each tire is capable of:
Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+
Michelin, a French tire manufacturer, began operations in 1889. The company’s vast experience in the tire-making trade and expert technicians make sure that whatever they produce is the best among its class.
Their tires are famous for being designed to perfection, and their performance is exceptional. One of their popular tire is – The Pilot Sport A/S 3+ – designed for people who own sports cars, coupes, or sedans, and seek optimum performance all year long.
The tires provide excellent steering control on dry roads, good grip on wet surface, and adequate traction across seasons.
Product Information
The Pilot Sport A/S 3+ is a successor to the ever-so-popular Pilot Sport A/S 3 — it has the same tread pattern among other things with one innovation: The tire is made up of the new Hello+ tread compound, which provides better traction in snowy conditions.
The patented Hello+ technology comprises – a combination of silica and sunflower oil – to form the tread compound. Owing to this, the tire provides decent traction in cold temperatures as well.
The rubber compound is molded into an asymmetric tread design. The lateral grip is decent on the tire, which in turn, provides exceptional cornering capability.
All accumulated water, slush, and snow are instantly removed due to the circumferential grooves on the tire.
The grooves not only reduce the chances of hydroplaning, but also improve traction when the car moves through a puddle of mud — so finally say yes to that off-roading trip you have been putting off for years!
The tire makes use of Michelin’s Variable Contact Patch 3.0 technology, which means all encountered pressure is evenly distributed across the tire.
On the inside, the tire has twin high-tensile steel cord belts covered with a polyamide cord. It reduces tread wear and gives a comfortable driving experience.
The Pilot Sport A/S 3+ is available in various sizes, starting from 16’’ up to 22’’, and has a W or Y speed rating.
Pros
- Good traction on wet surfaces
- Quick steering response at turns
- Good grip on cornering
- Slow tread wear
Cons
- Some drivers feel the ride isn’t too comfortable
Pirelli P Zero All Season Plus
The other tire is from an Italian tire maker – Pirelli – which is famous for its high-quality products. Since 1872, the company has introduced one good product after the other.
The Pirelli P Zero All Season Plus is definitely something that will catch your eye if are serious about your wheels.
Reinforcing their staunch commitment to quality, the P Zero All Season Plus is for people who own sports cars, coupes, or sedans.
The tires offer excellent braking power, precise steering control, and outstanding traction on wet and dry surfaces.
Let’s understand why the P Zero is so popular:
Product Information
The P Zero All Season Plus is made from Pirelli’s patented tread compound – which is a combination of polymers and silica – molded into an asymmetric tread design. The tread pattern on the tire adjusts itself for a noise-free ride.
The outside shoulders on the tire have lateral sipes for better cornering, grip, and steering control.
Hydroplaning resistance is quite strong due to the circumferential grooves. Plus, the blocks inside are infused with winter-siping technology for more snow-biting edges. The configuration improves traction in snowy conditions and keeps the tread pattern uniform even after months of wear and tear.
On the inside, the two steel belts are used with a nylon cap ply for better control. It expands the tire’s contact patch and improves tread wear.
The P Zero All Season Plus is available for vehicles, with 17 – 20-inch wheels.
Pros
- Decent traction on wet surfaces
- Better handling on slippery roads
- Changing lanes is easy with good steering control
Cons
- The Pirelli P Zero All Season Plus is not meant for snowy roads
Difference Between The Two Tires
Both tires are good for UHP vehicles, and both are the products of credible brands.
Remember, using a tire that has worn out or not meant for your vehicle design — not only leads to an uncomfortable ride but can also be dangerous.
When tested, the Pirelli P Zero All Season Plus stole the show! The steering response was instant, comfort was good and the ride was almost noise free.
On the other hand, with the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+, we were able to make sharp turns and easily switch lanes.
We did notice a humming sound at high speeds though. Also, the ride got a bit bumpy on uneven roads.
But the Michelin tire had an excellent grip, short braking distance, and a faster lap time on the same vehicle with exact engine specs.
But the Pirelli offered a more comfortable driving experience. Even when our driver floored the pedal the car maintained firm contact with the ground.
When put to the test on snow, Pilot Sport A/S 3+’s tread design provided adequate lateral grip, which resulted in better cornering.
The P Zero All Season Plus provided decent traction on snow, but it was not as good as the Michelin.
The Pirelli P Zero All Season Plus can cost between $122 – $248, while the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+ costs around $140 – $349, depending on the variant you choose.
| Comparison | ||
| Aspect | Pirelli P Zero All Season Plus | Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+ |
| Diameter | 24.6″ | 24.7″ |
| Width | 8.4″ | 8.4’’ |
| Rim Size | 17″ | 17’’ |
| Weight | 21 Lbs | 23 Lbs |
| Revolutions Per Mile | 845 | 844 |
| Maximum Load | 1356 Lbs | 1201 Lbs |
| Air Pressure | 50 PSI | 44 PSI |
| Tread Depth | 10/32″ | 10/32″ |
| Rim Width | 7-8″ | 7-8″ |
What We Liked/ What We Didn’t
- The ride comfort with the Pirelli P Zero All Season Plus was simply remarkable
- Traction on snowy roads was good with the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+
- The Pirelli tire worked well on bumpy roads
- The braking distance is decent on both tires
- Both tires have a good resistance to hydroplaning
- Performance of the Pirelli could be better on snowy roads
- The humming sound on the Michelin tire is a bit annoying
- The Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+ did not do well on bumpy roads
Conclusion
All in all, both tires are hallmarks of their respective brands. And you will be set for a good number of years with either tire.
However, we feel that if you tend to drive a lot on open roads and belong to an area that sees mild winters — you should choose the Pirelli P Zero All Season Plus.
But if you belong to an area with moderate winters and occasional snow your best bet is to go with Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+.
Make use of the information discussed in the article and talk to your dealership. Maybe a good set of tires will rid you of the upcoming cross-country trip you have been planning with your friends or family!
I understand that Pirelli are making special 22″ tires with the RIVIAN name on them. As you show no 22″ as in the Michelin will that change with the 500thousand to 1million expected RIVIANS in the next 2-3years?