Michelin's New Luxury Tire Made with Sunflower Oil

Michelin’s New Luxury Tire Made with Sunflower Oil

The use of sunflower oil in the tire's patented "Helio Compound" increases traction at low temperatures for braking and handling in wet conditions and has better overall performance in the snow. In fact, Primacy MXM4 tires are able to stop up to 19 feet shorter in wet conditions than a leading competitor, Michelin said.

From Tire Review

LAURENS COUNTY, S.C. — Michelin’s new Primacy MXM4, unveiled last week to select dealers and media, boasts a unique rubber compound that incorporates sunflower oil to offer improved handling in both wet and snowy weather. The result is a luxury performance tire that delivers safety, all-weather handling, great ride quality and comfort that luxury consumers demand, according to the tiremaker.

The use of sunflower oil in the tire’s patented “Helio Compound” increases traction at low temperatures for braking and handling in wet conditions and has better overall performance in the snow. In fact, Primacy MXM4 tires are able to stop up to 19 feet shorter in wet conditions than a leading competitor, Michelin said. The tire also features 3-D Variable Thickness Sipes for precision handling and MaxTouch Construction for greater longevity.

“Sometimes you don’t have to look further than your own kitchen to find a viable, technical solution,” said Dominique Josson, product category manager, Michelin North America. “Sunflower oil is particularly useful in high-performance, all-season tires because it allows the tire to maintain winter performance that might otherwise be sacrificed to gain handling and wet grip.”

At the event, held in several locations throughout South Carolina, participants tested the tire’s handling on the coastal roads of Charleston and in wet braking and handling exercises at Laurens Proving Grounds, Michelin’s test track in Laurens County. The launch also included a tour of Michelin’s US5 high performance passenger car manufacturing facility in Lexington, where several sizes of the Primacy MXM4 are made.

The Primacy MXM4 will eventually replace the Pilot MXM4 tire that the tiremaker said has been successful with OEMs, having 425 model-year fitments over the last 10 years. Currently, the Primacy MXM4 tire has seven OE fitments including: 2010 Mercedes-Benz E350 Sedan, 2010 Mercedes-Benz E550 Sedan, 2010 Mercedes-Benz E350 Coupe, 2010 Mercedes-Benz E550 Coupe, 2011 Infiniti M37, 2011 Infiniti M56 and 2009 Buick Lacrosse.

Available to consumers in North America July 1, the Primacy MXM4 tire will offer 13 replacement market sizes with rim diameters ranging from 16 to 19 inches. After additions in 2011 and 2013, the size offerings will expand to 34 total sizes.

For a look at Tire Review‘s exclusive photo album from the event, visit facebook.com/tirereview.