ERJ staff report (TP)
Detroit – At the North American International Auto Show, Michelin introduced its Premier A/S tire with “revolutionary” new EverGrip technology.
The company said it “provides drivers with exceptional levels of safety even as their tires wear down. Even when worn, the MICHELIN Premier A/S with EverGrip technology stops shorter on wet roads than the leading competitors’ brand new tires”.
Available this spring, the tire combines hidden grooves that emerge as the tire wears down, expanding rain grooves that widen over time to continue to evacuate water and a “unique” rubber compound for increased wet grip.
“The MICHELIN Premier A/S tire represents a significant breakthrough in automotive safety,” said Scott Clark, chief operating officer of Michelin North America’s passenger and light truck tire division. “With our truly revolutionary advancements in tire technology, we are able to directly address the effects of tire wear on traction and have been able to break the traditional paradigm.”
The firm also explained more about this new development: “Tires rely on grooves between the treads to evacuate water and maintain grip with the road. Until now, tires traditionally lost traction in wet conditions as the tread became worn and grooves lost depth decreasing the tire’s ability to funnel water away, increasing stopping distances and the chances of hydroplaning. Wet traction is particularly important for automotive safety because drivers are more than twice as likely to be in an accident on wet roads compared to dry roads.”
The new tire will initially be available in 32 sizes (185/65R15 – 245/45R18) fitting a range of passenger cars and Michelin will offer a limited 60,000-mile (96,650-km) warranty.
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Press release from Michelin
