The Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) segment is one of the fastest growing categories in the automotive sphere yet, a trend that forced luxurious brands like Jaguar and Bentley to produce all-terrain conquerers such as the F-Pace and Bentayga. That said, Michelin Malaysia has just introduced their brand new Primacy SUV tyre that’s exclusively designed for SUVs.
The Primacy SUV took three full years of R&D, incorporating four key Michelin technologies such as FlexMax 2.0, StabiliGrip, CushionGuard and EvenPeak. It’s the first tyre exclusively designed for SUV by Michelin, and yields better performance than any Michelin tyres before. Braking distance under wet conditions is shorter by 2.2 metres, whereas on dry surfaces it’s shorter by 1.9 metres.
But that’s not all. The FlexMax 2.0 technology gives the tyres a degree of flexibility, creating a chamfered or curved tread block that prevents distortion under pressure. The contact surface is also larger here, improving grip under rain and shine. The StabiliGrip technology on the other hand, features several self-locking knobs inside the small grooves. What this does is minimise tread block deformation while improving wet handling through more efficient water evacuation.
In making the tyres quieter, Michelin – through the EvenPeak technology – made the tread blocks in varying lengths, therefore reducing road noise and minimising noise peaking. Lastly is the CushionGuard technology which absorbs vibrations through a layer of noise-filtering rubber. The curved sidewall (courtesy of FlexMax 2.0) work in tandem here in providing a smooth and comfortable ride.
Michelin Malaysia’s Managing Director, Chandan Thakur said “SUVs are now used almost pervasively on the road. They are larger, more robust vehicles and they offer better visibility and more space. But they can at times be more difficult to handle and to stop, especially so on wet roads.” Chanda also added that the tyres are designed for on-road use only, as customers hardly take the car off-road.
The new Michelin Primacy SUV tyre is available from 16-inch and above with a starting price of RM440. It’s available in all TYREPLUS and authorised Michelin dealerships nationwide.
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