Michelin tires take pole position in independent tests

ERJ staff report (TP)

Clermont-Ferrand, France − Michelin's X Line Energy and X MultiWay 3D tires have come out top in two independent tests, beating competitor brands for fuel efficiency and braking distance, reported Laura Cork for Transport Engineer.

In the first trial, TÜV Sud Automotive organised a comparative energy efficiency test involving the X Line Energy and four other premium truck tires.

Tests were conducted on a Mercedes Benz Actros 1842, with a gross trailer weight of 40 tonnes and equipped with new tires. The test vehicle was driven 238km north east of Munich at an altitude ranging from 320 to 480m. Each set of tires was tested twice on this long haul route.

Results showed the X Line Energy delivered an average improvement in fuel consumption of 1.2 litres per 100km, against the four competitors. They were 1.84 litres per 100km better than the poorest performer.

The other test, conducted by DEKRA [Deutscher Kraftfahrzeug-Überwachungs-Verein (German Motor Vehicle Inspection Association)], showed the vehicle equipped with X MultiWay 3D tires stopped more quickly than three other manufacturers' similar tires.

The Michelin version stopped an average of 44.9m shorter than the other brands – 68.8m shorter than the tire that took longest to stop.

All tires were tested on a Mercedes-Benz 1820, loaded to a gross vehicle weight of 18 tonnes and with tires that were all two-thirds worn.

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