Michelin Rolls Out Regenerating Drive Tyre

(Akron/Tire Review) Michelin North American introduced the XDA5 drive position radial, which it said has a tread design that will “regenerate” itself during use, and will “outlast the drive tyre it replaces by at least 30 per cent.”

Michelin said the tread pattern of the XDA5 is molded in three dimensions, and as the tyre wears, the tread reveals new grooves and tread blocks.

“This regenerating tread design keeps the tyre in service longer before retreading, an impressive 30 per cent improvement in tread life over other drive tyres that are commercially available,” the company said. “That translates into improved safety and lower costs for fleets and owner operators across North America.”

The tyre’s “double-wave matrix” sipes give the tyre’s 30/32-inch tread blocks the ability to lock together in all directions, Michelin said, for rigidity, resistance to scrub and minimised irregular wear.

At the base of the siping, Michelin said, a groove is moulded into the tread block that reveals a new groove when the tread has 10/32-inch remaining. The tyre also features a footprint that is more than 10 per cent wider than its predecessor, for a larger contact patch, stability and handling.

The Michelin XDA5 tyre will be available in sizes 275/80R22.5, 11R22.5, 275/80R24.5 and 11R24.5. In 2008, size 305/75R24.5 LRJ will be released.