Michelin X-Ice North WRC Racing Tire for Ultra Cold Winters
Here comes Michelin X-Ice North WRC tire that is designed for use on a racing track when the outdoor temperature drops to about 30 degrees Centigrade below zero. It is already known the Second stage of World Racing Championship will be held in Scandinavia, which makes us look at the tire closer.
Rally Sweden celebrates its 60th anniversary this year. It has one of the longest tracks in world measuring 1 842, 60 kilometers, which includes 349,16 kilometers of special surface and 1 493,44 of standard road. It’s common knowledge that one needs special tire for ice- and snow-covered road. One of them is Michelin X-Ice North that’s equipped with as many as 380 studs measuring 7 millimeters in height.
Several stages of the Race took place in Monte-Carlo with Michelin Pilot Alpin being mounted on the participant vehicles. In Sweden the vehicles will be equipped with Michelin X-Ice North tire that is designed for operation in most severe wintertime conditions.
Michelin collaborates with the CEERTA company to provide their service in tire mounting at the Race. Seven technicians, one coordinator and one manager will work at the event together with Citroen, Ford and Mini technicians.
Construction Equipment Journal Chooses Best Specialized Truck Tires
Construction Equipment journal has made up the top 100 of best truck tire used in various branches of industry. The jury paid most attention to those tire-makers that conduct scientific research to equip their tires with innovative technologies. As a result, the best ones became the following four tires from three tire-makers:
Bridgestone DuraLoad sized 45/65-45 are designed for powerful loader trucks used in coal mining and open cast development. The tire features even load distribution over the footprint areas well as shows reduces heat buildup, which prolongs its mileage. The tire was unveiled in the second quarter of 2011.
Michelin XHA2 is made for use in open pits, on concrete plants, on construction grounds and so on. Its life span was prolonged by 9 per cent as compared to its predecessor, the Michelin XHA model. The tire features a thicker tread while its shoulders are equipped with guarding ribs, the tire itself being made from crack-resistant rubber. Moreover, the tire’s traction and its ability to cancel noise waves was improved.
The next comes the Michelin XDR2 tires featuring 20 per cent thicker tread in comparison to the previous model. Its undertread layer was also increased to minimize the risk of chipping and tearing. The new tread picture, in its turn, adds to the tire’s self-cleaning ability and damage-resistance.
At last, the radial Titan IT525 tire is designed for excavators and perform equally well on concrete and asphalt as well as on soft soil. The tire is equipped with reinforced shoulders, which guards it against damage.
J.D.Power: Japanese Consumers are Ready to Pay More for Fuel-Efficient Tires
J.D. Power has lately published the results of their research into consumer perception of the state of the Japanese Original Equipment tire market. The survey is carried out for the tenth time already and now it is mini car, compact passenger car and minivan drivers who were its target audience.
The tires were evaluated according to the following criteria: handling/ traction, comfort/ noise, durability/ safety and appearance.
One of the findings of the research concerns fuel-efficient tires. Nowadays more and more drivers tend to like fuel-efficient tires, which means that tire-makers’ efforts to enhance eco-friendliness of their products weren’t in vain.
Passenger car owners liked tires with low rolling resistance most as well as mini car and compact car owners are likely to decide for them. Moreover, about 30 per cent of drivers are ready to pay more for fuel-efficient tire.
Bridgestone holds the top place in mini car, compact car and minivan segments. Their tires appeared to be the best in four criteria while for a minivan category they are slightly weak in safety/ durability terms. Michelin tires are stable leaders for passenger cars.
The results were made on the base of a survey among 5,419 Japanese who own a new car from 7 to 18 month. The research was conducted in September 2011.
Michelin Latitude Cross S1 Brings the Company Back to Rallies
The 13th World Rally Championship 2011 has just taken place in Wales. Last weekend there was the spectacular Rally GB there and the best pilots had to get through a really difficult but at the same time breathtaking route.
Michelin met its commitments in the best way and ensured that the crews retained a high competitive level from start to finish. Its efforts resulted in the eighth champion title gained by Sebastian Leb and Daniel Elena on the Citroen DS3 WRC as well as the first victory of the season taken in Great Britain by Jari-Matti Latvala and his pilot Miika Antilla on the Ford Fiesta RS WRC.
Wales Rally GB 2011 started from two short asphalted stripes at the beginning of the distance that soon turned into asphalted and soil roads in rich forestries of the Northern Wales. On the last stage of the rally FIA recommended to use soft gravel tires to ensure people safety. The choice was made in favor of Michelin Latitude Cross S1 tire, and it helped the leading pilots reveal their potential to the full extent.
Michelin Latitude Cross S1 successfully managed all the difficulties and traps of the British part of the Rally. With its help the crews showed etalon time of getting through special parts of the track. In this way Michelin ended its successful season in rallies where it had returned after a five-year break.
