Michelin North America recently announced two new additions to its tire range. The first, aimed at the freight market, is the X One Line Energy T2, which the company claims is the most efficient trailer tire it has produced to date.
“The trailer-wheel position is challenging for long-haul tire design. The free-rolling wheel position is subject to variable loads, less maintenance and irregular wear,” explained Adam Murphy, vice president, B2B marketing, Michelin North America.
“This new product delivers both improved tread wear while providing fuel and weight savings, lowering the total cost of ownership for fleets, especially during this economically challenged time in the trucking industry.”
The low rolling resistance tire has been verified by the EPA’s SmartWay program and Michelin says it is targeted at the dry-van truck load, refrigerated truck load and tanker segments. The company says that the tire can increase fuel savings through an 11% lower rolling resistance when used in the trailer position and can increase revenue by carrying up to 287lb (130kg) of extra payload.
The tire features a tread design that helps prevent irregular wear and incorporates compounds designed to improve resistance to late-life tire aggression. To this end, the dual-compound tread consists of a mileage top layer that controls tread stiffness and stress to reduce irregular wear, and a fuel-efficient bottom layer that minimizes internal casing temperatures for low rolling resistance.
The tread also incorporates directional micro-sipes, resulting in a directional tire for the first half of tire life. Additionally, matrix siping with zigzag walls, which interlock for squirm resistance, are located along the centerline of the tire.
In the passenger vehicle segment, Michelin has revamped its long serving CrossClimate tire, with the arrival of the CrossClimate2 (below). The tire’s revised design provides all-season performance without sacrificing elements such as durability or dry grip.
The CrossClimate2 has a distinct V-formation tread pattern, which works together with the tire’s proprietary rubber compound to provide a wide operating window.
The new tire will be available in 56 sizes, which Michelin suggests will allow fitting to 76% of the best-selling passenger cars and crossovers in the US marketplace. Currently 25 sizes are available and in early 2021, an additional 31 sizes will be released.
