Every once in a while a product comes along that catches your
eye. The new Michelin Tweel is just such a product. Shown here
mounted on an Audi A4, demonstating its flexibility, is what
Michelin North America Inc. has dubbed the Tweel. It is a tire
and wheel combo that comes as an assembly, requires no air(the
flexibilty comes from the spokes)and is retreadable. Can you
imagine never having a flat again?
The Tweel uses a network of elastomeric polyurethane spokes to
control the ride characteristics. These ride characteristics can
be set independently of each other, for instance, verticle
stiffness-which primarily affects ride comfort-and lateral
stiffness-which affects handling and cornering-can both be
optimized, pushing the comfort level and the performance
envelope at the same time. This is something todays pneumatic
tire just cant do.
The possibilities of the Tweel seem endless. For instance,
since the Tweel requires no air, holes or channels could be
designed in the tread that could channel water literaly through
the tread, thus improving aquaplaning resistance considerably.
In the looks department, as you can see from the photo, the
Tweel is extremely low profile. At speed, the spokes seem to
disappear, giving the appearance the vehicle is floating on air,
while also revealing the brakes and associated suspension
hardware. If that werent enough, to add a little "Bling Bling"
the spokes of the Tweel could be chromed or painted to any
desired color for that ultra custom look.
As for maintance, there is very little. There is no air to
check, no more mounting and balancing, and no more flats.
Now before you run out to get yourself a set, you must
understand that Michelin says they are ten years away from
having the Tweel in mass production. That said, as you can see
they already have a fitment available to at least bolt on an
Audi, and with the benefits being so great, can it really be
that far off?
Richard A. Brink
AftermarketGoodies.com
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