You say to yourself: spring is coming, why already think about the next winter tires? After all, winter is only nine months away. Which is totally correct. But that shouldn’t stop you from anticipating it, since tire sales start much earlier than that. This is precisely why, beginning in September, Michelin will begin distributing these new tires, the Winter X-Ice North 4.
In short, these are studded tires, which Michelin has designed and which will be prepared in the factory, using a unique method. Unique, studded tires? Yes, because the French manufacturer didn’t just stick nails into a rubber sole. He studied the whole principle, and created a real tire with mathematically developed characteristics!
Maths VS studs
A little bit too much, you think? Not at all, in fact. The very arrangement of the different studs in the sole is not made on a simple basis of regularity, as is often the case. Instead, it is more of a scientific study that determines the exact pressure points of the tire on the ground when moving at different speeds. An algorithm then takes care of drawing the arrangement of the nails, to ensure maximum traction.
Not only is this arrangement ideal for traction and grip, but Michelin has also added an essential component: limiting road noise. The arrangement, and the very shape of the studs used, makes it possible to restrict the decibels emitted by the tire while driving.
But this is only part of the novelties of this tire, already marketed in Europe. It includes a directional tread, a V-shaped design of the sole, which helps to evacuate snow and ice from the tread, and large grooves that facilitate the evacuation of water and melting snow.
Note that the X-Ice North 4 is also made with the company’s Nordic compound, which offers flexibility at cold temperatures and remains stable at moderate temperatures.
The X-Ice 4 North comes with factory-installed studs and will be available in 30 sizes from 15 to 20 inches by the end of the summer. The other sizes will be offered next year.
