Michelin Pilot Sport S 5 Review — Michelin’s Hypercar Tyre for NZ
Overall Rating: 9.9 / 10
Category: Hyper Performance — Supercar/Hypercar OEM
Price in NZ: From $1,070 per tyre
Best for: Ferrari SF90 Stradale, Ferrari 296 GTB, Lamborghini Huracan STO — hypercars
Available sizes: 19″ – 23″ rims
Quick Verdict
The Michelin Pilot Sport S 5 is the most advanced road-legal tyre Michelin has ever produced — and at $1,070 per tyre, it is also the most expensive Michelin in New Zealand. OEM on the Ferrari SF90 Stradale (1,000+ bhp hybrid hypercar), Ferrari 296 GTB (830 bhp), and selected Lamborghini models, the Pilot Sport S 5 is engineered to handle performance levels that exceed what any standard UHP tyre can safely manage. For NZ owners of these exceptional vehicles, the S 5 is not a choice — it is the only appropriate replacement tyre.
Key Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Category | Hyper Performance |
| EU Label — Wet Grip | A (highest) |
| Speed Ratings | Y (300 km/h), ZR+ |
| Available Rim Sizes | 19″, 20″, 21″, 22″, 23″ |
| NZ Price Range | $1,070 – $2,000+ (size dependent) |
| OEM | Ferrari SF90 Stradale, Ferrari 296 GTB, Lamborghini STO |
Why the Pilot Sport S 5 Exists
The Pilot Sport 4S is an exceptional tyre — OEM on standard Ferrari, Lamborghini, and McLaren models. But hypercars like the SF90 Stradale operate at performance levels that even the PS4S cannot fully accommodate:
- Power: 1,000+ bhp requires a tyre that resists the shear forces of instant torque delivery
- Lateral G: Hypercars generate 1.5G+ laterally — the PS4S’s shoulder blocks cannot maintain their geometry under sustained hypercar lateral loads
- Braking: Carbon-ceramic brakes on hypercars generate temperatures that standard compounds cannot withstand
- Aerodynamics: Active aerodynamics push hypercars’ tyres into the road with forces that exceed standard tyre ratings
The Pilot Sport S 5 addresses all of these with a specifically engineered compound, construction, and tread architecture. It is not a “better PS4S” — it is a fundamentally different product for a fundamentally different vehicle class.
NZ Road Conditions Assessment
The Pilot Sport S 5 is the only appropriate tyre for the specific hypercars it serves. For NZ Ferrari SF90 Stradale and 296 GTB owners — the S 5 is the correct replacement. Its EU Label A wet grip is maintained even at hypercar performance levels.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Only appropriate replacement for Ferrari SF90 Stradale, 296 GTB, Lamborghini STO
- EU Label A wet grip at hypercar performance levels
- Engineered to handle forces that exceed all other road-legal tyres
- Michelin’s pinnacle road tyre technology
Cons
- Price ($1,070+) reflects the exclusive engineering — not for any vehicle other than its specific OEM applications
- Very limited NZ size availability — must be special ordered for most applications
Sources
- Michelin Pilot Sport S 5 specifications — michelin.com — accessed 2026-06-01
- Tyroola NZ pricing — tyroola.co.nz/tyre/michelin/ — accessed 2026-06-01
Related Pages
- Michelin Pilot Sport 4S — for standard supercars
- Michelin Pilot Sport CUP 2 — for track days
- Michelin Tyres NZ — brand overview