(Twheel) See through Michelin tires... This is NOT a joke.. *MERGED*

[Chase]

This was sent to Me in an e-mail that supposedly was not meant to be circulated...



Radical new tire design by Michelin. The next generation of tires.

They had a pair at the Philadelphia car show.



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...
D. no more flats...
SCAN DOWN & SEE.

These are actual pictures taken in the South Carolina plant of Michelin.















"The Tweel automotive application, as demonstrated on the Audi, is definitely a concept, a stretch application with strong future potential," said Gettys. "Our concentration is t o enter the market with lower-speed, lower-weight Tweel applications. What we learn from our early successes will be applied to Tweel fitments for passenger cars and beyond."

Benefits of TweelT:
The heart of Tweel innovation is its deceptively simple looking hub and spoke design that replaces the need for air pressure while delivering performance previously only available from pneumatic tires. The flexible spokes are fused with a flexible wheel that deforms to absorb shock and rebound with unimaginable ease. Without the air needed by conventional tires, Tweel still delivers pneumatic-like performance in weight-carrying capacity, ride comfort, and the ability to "envelope" road hazards.

Michelin has also found that it can tune Tweel performances independently of each other, which is a significant change from conventional tires. This means that vertical stiffness (which primarily affects ride comfort) and lateral stiffness (which affects handling and corneri ng) can both be optimized, pushing the performance envelope in these applications and enabling new performances not possible for current inflated tires. The Tweel prototype, demonstrated on the Audi A4, is within five percent of the rolling resistance and mass levels of current pneumatic tires. That translates to within one percent of the fuel economy of the OE fitment. Additionally, Michelin has increased the lateral stiffness by a factor of five, making the prototype unusually responsive in its handling.

Future of TweelT Technology:
For Michelin, Tweel is a long-term vision that represents the next step in a long path of industry-changing innovations. Fifty years ago, Michelin invented the radial tire and there is no question that radial tire technology will continue as the standard for a long time to come. Michelin continues to advance the performance of the radial tire in areas such as rolling resistance, wear life and grip. In the short-term, the lessons lear ned from Tweel research are being applied to improve those conventional tire performances. In the future, Tweel may reinvent the way that vehicles move. Checking tire pressure, fixing flats, highway blow-outs and balancing between traction and comfort could all fade into memory.

[4_Door_SI]

I know they are shown without sidewalls but i hope they at least make it an option to get them. I think its a great idea but looks hideous.

[MutantCheese]

Yeah, this is a repost.

[Chase]

Damn, my bad on the repost

[projectprelude]

^ X 213542 for them being the worst looking thing ever

[FG*SQUAD Nick]

repost

[Cr8tive_leo]

Yeah, saw those on the Discovery channel a few months ago, look ugly, but never have a flat, they are ready to go, but who do you think doesn't want them out ont he market.

[CHRIS]

great idea, with a sidewall, which i'm sure they will have, they will dominate other tires

[duy2006si]

[dannn]

wow this is so last year...
btw they are gonna produce them with sidewalls
those models were just to show how they work and are made.

[CaliGuy]

Butt ugly.

[Robdog007]

Screw butt ugly, I'd be all over these things.








Ok, that's a lie. With sidewalls though...

[Civic4u]

I betcha is not going to be cheap! People not used to it I guess....

[1chin3s3_b0i]

i wouldn't roll on those even if i was paid to! not my cup of tea

[Chase86]

worst idea ever

[aria3]

^^ wtf. how in the world is that a bad idea?

[CaliGuy]

^^^Because it's ugly as sh!t

[Gonzo]

Won't be too great for cases where you need to adjust tire pressure.


These tires had better not roll over or twist much, which I imagine they will.

[Eltrentz]

You cant put bigger rims on? Will they come in low profile options? Will they be atleast 500 per tire?

[MellowGato]

From what I have read - they are still working on noise issues. All those spokes deforming and straightening - makes a lot of noise. Not that I have heard it personally - just what I read...