New Michelin Tyres

Fey! · 31-03-2010 2:55pm #1

I just got this in my email. I'm not convinced that it isn't an early April Fools joke!

These tires are made in South Carolina, USA.
SEE THROUGH TIRES a radical new tire design by Michelin, the next generation of tires.
They had a pair at the Philadelphia car show.

Yes, those are 'spoke-like' connection fins to the inner part of the tire from the outside tread 'wrap!'

The next picture shows how odd it looks in motion...

Makes you wonder how the ride feels doesn't it?

Well, it is fantastic in the extreme!

These tires are airless and are scheduled to be out on the market very soon.
The bad news for Police and other law enforcement is that stinger spikes will not work on these.
Just think of the impact on existing technology:

A. No more air valves...
B. No more air compressors at Petrol stations...
C. No more repair kits....
D. No more flat tires...
E. Less expensive and more money in the drivers pocket.

These are actual pictures taken in the South Carolina plant of Michelin.

Anan1 · 31-03-2010 2:56pm

My guess is they're a new design of RFTs with the sides cut away so you can see how they work?

Alun · 31-03-2010 3:02pm

There's a bit on them here http://www.carbibles.com/tyre_bible_pg2.html (scroll down to view). They're called Tweels apparently since they're not really tyres alone but a one-piece tyre / wheel construction.

Plenty more stuff if you just Google "Tweels".

CJhaughey · 31-03-2010 3:16pm

They are a light weight version of the military ones as fitted to Humvees.

mickdw · 31-03-2010 3:19pm

Ive seen this about 2 years ago in a car mag.
Yes it is a new run flat technology but I think this was the finished product or at least these had the ability to be used without a sidewall. Whether they actually go into production & in what form will be interesting.