Michelin Cooks Up a Better Compound for Primacy MXM4

Have Michelin-rated chefs been moonlighting as tyre designers? You may be tempted to consider this unlikely scenario upon hearing of a tasty ingredient to be found in the Michelin Primacy MXM4, which Michelin North America is readying for a July 1 replacement market launch – the new luxury performance tyre contains a smattering of sunflower oil.

No, the sunflower oil doesn’t, at least as far as Tyres & Accessories is aware, give the Primacy MXM4 a crispier texture when sautéed. Rather, the ingredient is used in the tyre’s compound to enable it, as Michelin explains “to maintain its edge in wet and snowy weather while still delivering safety, all-weather handling, great ride quality and comfort that luxury consumers demand.” This sunflower oil compound concoction has been patented by Michelin and goes by the name of Helio Compound technology.

The oil from sunflowers is widely used in cooking and sunflower seeds are enjoyed as a healthy snack and nutritious ingredient in many recipes. So, why would Michelin’s tyre engineers turn to this readily available, but unusual ingredient as a solution for tyre performance? Because, Michelin explains, it was found that in the case of the Primacy MXM4 the use of sunflower oil enables vehicles to stop up to two car lengths shorter, or up to 19 feet shorter (5.8 metres)in wet braking tests, than a leading competitor tyre, the Continental ContiProContact. Furthermore, by utilising Helio Compound, made with the oil from specific types of sunflowers, Michelin reports the Primacy MXM4 increases traction at low temperatures for braking and handling in wet conditions and delivers better overall performance in the snow.  

“Sometimes you don’t have to look further than your own kitchen to find a viable, technical solution,” said Dominique Josson, product category manager, Michelin North America.  “Sunflower oil is particularly useful in high-performance, all-season tyres because it allows the tyre to maintain winter performance that might otherwise be sacrificed to gain handling and wet grip.”

In addition to the use of sunflower oil, the Primacy MXM4 is said to offer all of Michelin’s latest technological thinking including 3-D Variable Thickness Sipes and MaxTouch Construction. This second feature, explains Michelin, is a contact patch shape that evenly distributes the forces of acceleration, braking and cornering for long-lasting, even tread wear. The tyre also meets the Michelin Green X standard, which the manufacturer claims guarantees reduced CO2 emissions and a level of energy efficiency among the highest in the market.

The design and shape of the Primacy MXM4 gives it a “European handling profile”, states Michelin. Specifically, the tyre features a rounder shoulder that is designed to provide progressive, predictable cornering, permitting the driver to “push the vehicle to the edges of its performance capabilities.” Four-circumferential grooves are provided for water evacuation from the contact area.

“Luxury vehicles that beg to be driven require a tyre that will enhance their intended performances,” Josson reflected.  “The Michelin Primacy MXM4 is the first luxury tyre offering both our customers and consumers a combination of European handling with a long-lasting, fuel-efficient ride for all seasons.  Not only that, it offers tremendous improvements in wet braking for unsurpassed safety.  It is the entire performance package.”

In North America the Primacy MXM4 will eventually replace the Michelin Pilot MXM4, a tyre that has been extremely successful with original equipment manufacturers, having received 425 model-year fitments over the last ten years. Michelin reports that the new tyre offers 23 per cent better wet braking performance than the Pilot MXM4, along with 14 per cent improved wet handling, seven per cent better dry handling, 12 per cent reduced rolling resistance and 14 per cent better wear life. Currently, the all-new Primacy MXM4 has seven original equipment fitments on the road, on Mercedes-Benz, Infiniti and Buick vehicles, and the replacement market range to be released in July will contain 13 sizes for 16 to 19-inch rim diameters.