Michelin has introduced a new ultra wide base tire.
When compared with traditional dual tires the ultra wide base configuration offers excellent characteristics including a significant fuel economy improvement, mass reduction, good vehicle handling, improved ride, good tread wear, and a reduction in noise.
On-vehicle testing for these tires was done jointly between Michelin and Freightliner L.L.C. to develop and validate the new tire design.
The tire has a new proprietary architecture, which allows for the construction of an ultra low profile tire and provides a rectangular footprint shape. This footprint shape is preferred for tire performance such as wear life and traction.
The results of the tire and vehicle testing will be discussed in this paper.