Following the launch of the MICHELIN Agilis CrossClimate tyre last year, Michelin continues to develop its range for light-duty vehicles with the new MICHELIN Agilis 3. This summer tyre is said to provide a high level of safety on wet roads and excellent energy efficiency (fuel economy and reduction of CO2 emissions1 ), while guaranteeing robustness and durability of the MICHELIN brand.
When it comes to sustainability, Michelin says it is committed to a long-term strategy that applies to all of its products, from car to truck tyres. Michelin’s design choices seek to make more efficient use of raw materials and resources, while at the same time ensuring outstanding performance throughout the working life of the tyres it manufactures. As a result, their environmental impact is lower and they last longer, two key considerations for road and urban transport professionals who are looking to optimise their costs without compromising safety, while at the same time reducing their environmental footprint.
To address this demand, Michelin works with the entire sector by proposing tyres that combine safety and performance throughout their working life*: The rolling résistance of tyres accounts for at least 20 percent of a vehicle’s energy consumption**. On average, the tyres that make up the new MICHELIN Agilis 3 range weigh one kilogram less than their corresponding predecessor, and the difference is even as high as 1.7kg in the case of certain sizes. Fewer raw materials and natural resources are consequently required for their manufacture and the amount of waste that needs to be recycled is reduced. According to the results of in-house tests carried out by the Group, this new light commercial vehicle tyre curbs CO2 emissions by 100kg on average over a distance of 20,000km. That’s equivalent to the CO2 stored in approximately three trees***, a fuel-consumption reduction of 0.12 litres/100km and a saving of €100. Certain performance-related qualities actually improve as tyres wear, such as their braking performance on dry roads and fuel consumption. Braking performance in wet conditions deteriorates with wear, however, but the MICHELIN Agilis 3 is designed to deliver high-level braking performance on wet roads all the way down to the tyre’s TWI (tread wear indicator / 1.6mm).
Indeed, in addition to being A-graded for braking performance in wet conditions when new (in-line with European labelling legislation), it continues to perform in this domain even when worn****, with results that are superior***** to the safety threshold legislation required for new tyres. This achievement was made possible thanks to the use of EverGrip technologies, notably: • An innovative rubber compound featuring an optimised dosage of carbon black and silica which contributes to the tyre’s safety and wet-weather braking performance throughout its working life. • A new tread pattern, featuring: – Deep grooves: flexible tread blocks for superior vehicle handling on wet roads. – U shaped grooves: more vertically-sided tread blocks for a higher land-to-sea ratio at a tread-depth of 2mm to favour efficient water clearance all the way down to the TWI (tread wear indicator). The MICHELIN Agilis 3 delivers long life and robustness thanks to two technologies developed for truck tyres which Michelin has carried over to a light commercial vehicle tyre for the first time: • A rubber compound with superior resistance to abrasion, • A patented technology which combats stones becoming wedged in the tread. Last but not least, for even greater safety, Michelin has employed the same sidewall protection solution first seen on the Agilis CrossClimate, namely an additional layer that shields the tyre from scrubbing.
The new MICHELIN Agilis 3 is further evidence of Groupe Michelin’s sustainable-performance strategy in favour of safer, cleaner, more accessible and more efficient mobility. The MICHELIN Agilis 3 will go on sale in April 2020, initially in a choice of 12 sizes. A further 12 sizes will be available in Europe by July 2020 to cover 75 percent of the market. ( 1 )B label for rolling resistance (*) The end of the tyre’s working life refers to the legal minimum tread depth (1.6mm). The legal minimum tread depth in your country may be different.(**) Calculation carried out in-house at Michelin’s Technology Centre in Ladoux, near Clermont-Ferrand,France. Technical Bulletin dated September 27, 2016, entitled “Les matières premières, la consommation de carburant et les émissions de CO2 liés au remplacement précoce des pneus Tourisme” (Raw materials,fuel consumption and CO2 emissions resulting from the early replacement of passenger car tyres).(***) Based on in-house Life Cycle Analysis work carried out in September 2019 by Michelin’s Technology Centre comparing the MICHELIN Agilis 3 with the MICHELIN Agilis+ (235/65-R16 115/113R). The Agilis 3 reduces CO2 em
