New Michelin Tires -- WOW!!

Have you seen this tire/wheel yet? Don't know if it is true. Looks a little wild!

Look, Ma, No air! Check these out.

Thought you might like to see the next generation of tires. They had a pair at the Philadelphia Auto show. Attached are pictures of the new Michelin tires.

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These tires are airless and are scheduled to be out on the market very soon.
The bad news for law enforcement is that spike strips will not work on these tires
This is what great R&D will do and just think of the impact on existing technology:

a.. no more air valves
b.. no more air compressors at gas stations
c.. no more repair kits

More PHOTOs below:

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It's true. Saw them before, I think on the Michelin site.

:eek:

Those tires are sick. :cool:

I wonder if the production version will have a flexible sidewall to keep dirt and water out of the center section...

I wonder if the production version will have a flexible sidewall to keep dirt and water out of the center section...

I hope so, because those things are uglier than a pair of bowling shoes! (I bet they left sidewalls off the prototypes to make it obvious how the tires worked.)

On the downside, it would be pretty hard to "de-air" those tires in offroad situations...

On the downside, it would be pretty hard to "de-air" those tires in offroad situations...

I doubt you would see these in an off-road tyre. My guess is that they would only be used in street-based applications (to prevent people from sitting on the side of the Interstate at night with a flat and no help).

If these are the only alternatives, I think I would rather continue to check my tires for air.

no the inner tire are is for when you want to drive to grandma's house... on the river and through the woods you go...

ya know, paddle boat style...:eek:

Actually, I would prefer for them to put some type of sidewall on it to deter someone from wanting to reach in there with scissors or a knife and cut those flexible spokes. I'm sure someone can figure out a way to cut through them and cause a failure.

:eek:

[QUOTE=djeaux]I hope so, because those things are uglier than a pair of bowling shoes! (I bet they left sidewalls off the prototypes to make it obvious how the tires worked.)QUOTE]

I agree, they have to be concept. Plus I had to qoute you because I loved the bowling shoe line

I know from watching movies that when criminals are trying to escape the police just shoot a tire and then they can easily capture the dirty crooks. It looks like these new tires will just devestate law enforcements ability to stop the bad guys in their escape vehicles.
:eek:

I am out. They Suck!!!

Tom, on regular tires.

:eek: Those are some strange lookin' tires! Don't know if I like or dislike them yet, but they are definitely eye catching.

Laura

I thought those where supposed to support for a certain distance before they actually collapse. I remember seing them in an LA auto show, how certain tire after being punctured would support to certain distance, like a run flat system or an airless tire system. I guess, this tire design can only be used on certain climate conditions, if the surround air becomes to cold, the flexible plastic would be to brittle to flex and ride comfort would diminisshed.

I thought those where supposed to support for a certain distance before they actually collapse. I remember seing them in an LA auto show, how certain tire after being punctured would support to certain distance, like a run flat system or an airless tire system. I guess, this tire design can only be used on certain climate conditions, if the surround air becomes to cold, the flexible plastic would be to brittle to flex and ride comfort would diminisshed.


But wouldn't they get just as cold even if they had pressurized air around them (such as in a traditional tire with these for "run-flat" purposes)? I don't think they are plastic, but probably more of a combination of kevlar, rubber and other components that would work in most any temp range.

But, I could be wrong. ;)

Well, not being the lazy one (;) ), I googled "michelin airless tire" and got this link to the Michelin web site:

MICHELIN LETS THE AIR OUT OF FUTURE TIRE INNOVATION (http://www.michelinman.com/difference/releases/pressrelease01102005a.html)

Another link I read on autoblog states that Michelin is guessing it will be about 10 years (from an article dated 2004) before we see any widespread applications:

Michelin says the project that will see results in about ten years is looking at different compounds other than natural rubber and will actually be more elastic. This new idea will allow for better shock absorption on bumpy roads and Michelin even says these tires will handle better than the conventional air-filled ones we're driving on today. One reason for the airless tire would be to supply burgeoning markets, like China, that don't have as much paved infrastructure with a product that will still deliver a comfortable driving experience.

no the inner tire are is for when you want to drive to grandma's house... on the river and through the woods you go...

ya know, paddle boat style...:eek:

Or perhaps it a turbine blade style. when in the water put it in drive to go right. want to go left put it in reverse :D

Well, not being the lazy one (;) ), I googled "michelin airless tire" and got this link to the Michelin web site:

MICHELIN LETS THE AIR OUT OF FUTURE TIRE INNOVATION (http://www.michelinman.com/difference/releases/pressrelease01102005a.html)

Another link I read on autoblog states that Michelin is guessing it will be about 10 years (from an article dated 2004) before we see any widespread applications:

I believe they are called the "tweel" see what google says about that

SaGE

About 302,000 hits for "tweel". :D

Let's suppose you went off road and mud lodged in the inner cavities at various location. Let's further suppose that clumps of mud dried in the various cavities of those tires while the car was parked. Now let's suppose you crank it up and hit the highway at about 75 mph or so with the tires spinning at about 240 rpm's.

Wonder what the tire's balance would be like? The vehicle would probably shake to pieces.

They'll have to find someway to prevent stuff from getting into the inner cavities for these to work, like sidewalls.

From some of the articles, it appears the lack of a sidewall is to allow for viewing of the technology inside the tire. Some articles indicate a sidewall will be added in a production version for non-commercial applications.

Well, we'll just have to wait 10 years and see what comes out, but I'm putting my money on it having a sidewall and zero to little air pressure included.

They had better put a side wall on those, Or they wont be able to sell them to any state that might get snow. I know the slushy crap we get here thaws during the day and re-freezes at night. Between mud and snow those things would be so full it wouldn't even be funny.

Also how much does the crush zone go??? would hate to have the rim dented and dinged after every other pothole MODOT had not fixed yet.