Michelin & Renault Crossing World Together in 2009 Cape-to-Cape

Michelin has been selected by Renault Trucks as exclusive tyre supplier for the upcoming Cape-to-Cape rally. This is the second occasion on which the two companies have together embarked on such an undertaking – in 2005 Michelin and Renault jointly participated in the Silk Road event. The new adventure, which gets underway on 1 March, 2009, will see six Renault Kerax and six Renault Sherpa trucks drive the length of the planet, north to south, on Michelin XZL tyres. The vehicles (and their tyres) will cross 21 countries, covering a total of 30,000 kilometres in extremely challenging conditions, ranging from the icy cold of northern climates to the oppressive heat of the desert and from harsh, rugged terrain to soft, loose ground.

To handle these exceptional driving conditions, Michelin will provide Renault Trucks with tyres from its all-terrain XZL range, which are designed to deliver excellent traction on soft ground, such as mud or sand. Michelin notes that these tyres are not just good off-road, and also perform well during highway use. What’s more, the Michelin XZL will have a minimal impact on the terrain crossed during the Cape- to-Cape journey, thanks to a casing that enables the tyre to operate at low pressure, thereby reducing soil compaction.

The Michelin XZL tyres that will equip the 12 Renault Trucks vehicles are standard products, as available for purchase from Michelin tyre dealers around the world. For added safety protection in Northern European weather conditions, the tyres will also be siped, which will help to deliver additional grip on icy surfaces.

Renault Trucks is an organiser of the Cape-to-Cape rally, and Michelin states that its commitment to the vehicle manufacturer in this endeavour further demonstrates the two companies’ shared vision and values. The French tyre major comments that, thanks to both companies’ constant focus on quality, safety and sustainable mobility, they have forged a longstanding partnership, initially on the road – and now on one of the world’s most spectacular journeys.