Michelin unveils 'self-regenerating' medium truck tire

Aug. 23, 2007

Michelin North America Inc. has introduced a "self-regenerating" medium truck tire, the XDA5, that reveals new grooves and tread blocks as it wears down.

The XDA5 was officially unveiled earlier today at the Great American Truck Show in Dallas, Texas.

The tire's regenerating tread design "keeps the tire in service longer before retreading," say Michelin officials, who claim the design yields a 30% improvement in tread life "over other drive tires that are commercially available." (It was designed using Michelin Durable Technologies.)

The XDA5, which is built to run on Class 8 trucks, contains double-wave Matrix sipes that lock together "in all directions," a raindrop groove molded into the tread block and other features.

"The Michelin XDA5 tire also boasts a footprint that is more than 10% wider than its predecessor, delivering a larger contact patch and, in turn, superior stability and handling throughout the life of the tire."

The tire will be available next month in size 11R22.5, with more sizes to be released.