Tire & Wheel fusion!!

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Apr 18, 2005 | 02:19 PM

UNCFRK

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Tire & Wheel fusion!!

While reading my April Automotive Engineering mag. I came across an article of interest that I thought some of this group might be interested in.
It's also online at http://www.sae.org/automag/ - click "departments" and then "Tech Briefs" - It's about airless tire / wheel combo's that Michelin has developed. Testing is with an Audi.

Frank Maassen

Apr 18, 2005 | 02:30 PM

meem

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tweel was discussed a few months back. brutally ugly

Apr 18, 2005 | 04:20 PM

QS -

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the pic was a cross-section, final prod will look like a regular

tire/wheel

you fight progress cuz you may not be able to get low-pros and the doodads (spacers/bling wheels etc) to tweak with
;-)

Apr 18, 2005 | 04:56 PM

meem

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if it doesn't come low-profile, it will be a failure

i won't be the only one not buying.

Apr 18, 2005 | 05:30 PM

MaxHedrm

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From: Dallas, Texas, USA

Your type of wheel/tire customer may buy the highest margin stuff, but not the most volume.

Basically you lose. ;^)

Actually, they will most likely coexist for a long, long time, for exactly that reason.

They'll be great for family sedans & SUVs though. Especially in function over form implementations. I also have to wonder what the process is for getting new 'tires'. I suppose with a 50,000mile treadwear or higher it wouldn't be too bad.

Apr 18, 2005 | 07:35 PM

QS -

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yah meem you lose! By the way, Meem, do you have any new desktop quality pics? :D

Max, I just realized what your username meant! I always thought your name was Max, something dooh.

Anyway your user name reminds me of a guy I saw this weekend in a Mini Convertible. he had 2 plants both about 7 feet tall in the back of his mini - it was so......practical. Anyway, it was chuckle-inducing.