As we covered back in June, Michelin is developing a new airless tire system for enhanced safety, low maintenance and enhanced durability, and General Motors will be the first to launch it. The new Michelin tire is called UPTIS, or Unique Puncture-Proof Tire System, and it was on display at a recent media event for the upcoming 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV, marking the first time UPTIS has been shown in the U.S. We got a chance to talk to senior principal product development engineer Steve Cron about the system, providing us with a more in-depth look at the technology.
Cron says he’s been working on the new airless Michelin tire for 20 years, with the latest UPTIS version arriving as an evolution of the older Tweel design, which was used on tractors. However, the Tweel system was too harsh for passenger cars, leading to development of UPTIS.
As outlined previously, the new airless Michelin tire system includes a new high-strength wheel. Using rubber reinforced with glass composite and vinyl ester resin, the airless tire provides no to low maintenance, making it perfect for fleet applications.
What’s more, the airless aspect of the new Michelin tire makes it safer, as it won’t blow out or deflate over time. That means no tire pressure monitoring system, no jacks, no spare tires, and an overall reduction in complexity.
The system can be re-treaded, with the structure developed such that it’ll last the lifetime of the vehicle. Available tread patterns will also make the new Michelin tire system suitable for mud and ice.
Critically, UPTIS offers NVH levels that fall between those of a run-flat tire and standard aired tire. Cron says they are aiming for a price point around that of a modern run-flat tire.
What’s more, the tread offers grip levels that are on par with standard tires. Lateral stiffness is enhanced by the spike features, so even without a sidewall, the system still offers decent cornering abilities. There are also no major speed limitations compared to a standard tire.
Interestingly, the system allows for customizability in terms of aesthetics, too.
The new airless Michelin tire system will first see use in small scale fleet testing in South Carolina, with a market launch in the 2024 time frame.
As electric vehicles and autonomous technology start to filter into the everyday commute, systems like UPTIS are sure to become more and more important.
And one more thing—yes, they’ll do a burnout. We asked.
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Comments
Applaud the technical enthusiasm, but once they do a few hundred miles in the real world and loaded-up with mud and crap, they’re going to look really horrible on a clean car.
These are for display. I expect these tires would have physical sidewalls to prevent dirt and mud from getting in.
Tires would be out of balance constantly w/o a sidewall to protect from the outside world.
Well done, Michelin! This will cur the hundred year old problem of tire disposal, since the only “disposal” is the thread, which Michelin can re-thread. The initial cost may be high per unit, but in a ten year lifetime, that thread could be replaced four times and yet the entire set cost less than four new tire and hub sets.
Make passenger sets first which is the most common and needed market. I home new cars will include them as a factory option, lowering unit cost due to mass production.
I was involved with these tires long ago. This really is not a new idea and has been around for a long time. The problem has always been price and wheel limitations.
Like many run flat systems the cost to change over cars was expensive and few MFGs would spend that kind of money on a OE tire and wheel.
Unless something has changed they will look like this. They are not open for demo.
I expect that this is one of those deals where these tires will be ok for some people and applications but they will be a limited market. Harder harsher tires are the norm on most EV models so you can get away with them. But I would not expect them on a Corvette soon.
I know they are lowering the cost but they will still be at the top price wise. MFGs will pay more for them on EV cars if they add range.
Don’t look for these on the coming ZRX.
Other MFGs have similar tires too. Will see if they make a move if these do well.
You’re saying that they won’t have a sidewall?
If so, that seems incredibly impractical.
Based on what I know from the past no. I never saw a provision for a sidewall..
This could change and may have but to this point I still have never seen one with a side wall.
Long time ago was a long time ago. Here in Wisconsin they would get packed with snow and ice and be totally out of balance and useless. They will look like standard tires.