Michelin says their new tyres grip better with age
Michelin claims to have invented a new type of tyre which will grip better with age, because of a rubber compound that grows – instead of wearing out – over time.
The new technological innovation is called the EverGrip system, and was developed by the French tyre maker in order to reduce stopping distances, increase hydroplaning resistance and also increase tyre grip when worn.
They have developed a new rain groove patters that will maintain the amount of water the tyre can evacuate even as they lose depth due to wear. Thanks to their geometric design, the grooves will be expanding as they flatten, thus the wet-weather grip is consistent throughout the tyre’s life.
Michelin also introduced an ‘emerging’ groove system for the Premiere A/S, which is capable of improving tyre grip over time. The system features more than 150 hidden grooves as the first layer of the tyre wear down and expands. This means that the new grooves will provide additional assistance in wet-weather by channelling the water away from under the tyres.
According to Michelin, the EverGrip still has one final innovation to show off, a new rubber compound which features an increased percentage of silica and sunflower oil compared to regular tyres. This is meant to increase grip in all weather and reduce stopping distances. The amount of silica used provides more bonding strength, enough to significantly reduce the likelihood of the car losing grip; while the sunflower oil is meant to allow the tyres to grip better on wet roads at extremely low temperatures, in circumstances where a normal tyre might otherwise lose traction.
This technology seems to be a significant development for automotive safety, because this will help the driver in control and the car firmly planted on the road.
The new tyre will go on sale in North America this spring.
