Michelin Road Show : Tomorrow’s Tires, Today!
Michelin’s X Line Energy Z+ tire comes with two key technologies: Infini-Coil and Powercoil. (Credit : Michelin)
Michelin’s X Multi Z2 tire features Regenion Technology, which means that it has an evolving tread design. (Credit : Michelin)
The Michelin X Line Grip D tire was engineered to last up to 1.6 million km. (Credit : Michelin)
Advanced technologies boost performance, efficiency and retreadability.
Fleet & Mobility magazine was invited to attend one of the stops on Michelin’s “Innovation in Motion 2025 Road Show,” which was held in a total of six communities across North America this year, from June 4th to August 28th.
One of the highlights of this year’s event was the opportunity to take a closer look at the brand’s newest commercial tires, designed for both long haul and regional applications: X Line Energy Z+, X Multi Z2, and X Line Grip D.
X Line Energy Z+
Michelin’s X Line Energy Z+ tire debuted just about a year ago. Jim Garrett, Product Manager at Michelin explained that this steer tire is not yet available in Canada in an 11R version, but will be soon.
According to Garrett, this tire comes with two key advanced technologies. One is called Infini-Coil Technology, and according to Michelin this is a, “1/8 mile steel cable wound circumferentially around the belt package to provide casing protection, a consistent footprint and long, even wear.”
In addition, Garret pointed out that this technology makes the tire more rigid and more durable for retreading, while also improving rolling resistance.
The other innovation is called Powercoil Technology, which Michelin described as a, “casing ply made with high tensile steel cables infused with rubber to resist damage due to oxidation and friction for excellent casing durability and maximum retreading.”
X Multi Z2
Michelin’s X Multi Z2 tire is designed for regional use applications, and features the brand’s Regenion Technology. This means that it benefits from an evolving tread design: As the tire wears, the grooves open up to provide extra traction on wet roads.
“Heavy truck tires, at 100 PSI, have almost no chance of hydroplaning when they’re new,” Garrett explained. “But near the end of the life of the tire, when the grooves become not only more shallow, but more narrow, that’s when you need an extra groove or two. So this tire starts out with just two big grooves, and some half-grooves, but as the tire wears, you’ll have five.”
Garret explained that the X Multi Z2 comes with very rigid ribs, which makes this tire last longer, and that like the X Line Energy Z+, it comes with Michelin’s Powercoil Technology.
X Line Grip D
Garret also introduced the Michelin X Line Grip D tire. This drive tire was engineered for line haul applications and boasts, “unparalleled wear resistance and traction,” according to Garret. Furthermore, it was designed to last up to 1 million miles (1.6 million km) with up to four retreads.
It’s SmartWay verified, promises 20% better mileage and a 20% reduction in rolling resistance (over the Michelin XDN2 tire). It’s 3PMS-certified, which is a big plus for fleets operating in Canadian winter conditions, and it boasts 90% better snow starting traction and 25% better wet starting traction than the XDN2 tire.
Like the X Line Energy Z+, the X Line Grip D comes with Michelin’s Powercoil and Infini-Coil Technologies. It’s currently available in sizes 295/75R22.5 and 11R22.5.
