Michelin XM2 fuel-saving rubber

Michelin's latest Energy XM2 tyres promise to further reduce fuel consumption while delivering improved levels of grip and handling plus low tyre noise

One way to reduce fuel consumption is to buy a newer, more efficient car, but a new product from French tyre giant Michelin promises a much cheaper way to reduce fuel costs thanks to reduced rolling resistance.

The Carsales Network recently had the opportunity to test-drive the latest Michelin Energy XM2 tyres, which are due to go on sale in Australia in June. Driving a Toyota Prius with John and Helen Taylor, the "world's most fuel efficient couple" we managed to get fuel consumption down to 3.6L/100km, well under the Toyota Prius' claimed 3.8L/100 average when using early prototypes of the new XM2 tyres.

Over an 800km trip from Wagga Wagga to Melbourne on prototype XM2 tyres (sized 195/65 on 15-inch rims), the new Michelin tyres also performed well under brakes and in the wet; areas that have often been sub-par on 'fuel-saving' tyres. And unlike some of the first generation low-rolling resistance silica compound tyres, the new rubber created very little road noise.

As John Taylor explained during the drive: "One of the easiest things you can do to reduce your fuel consumption is to use a fuel saver tyre."

When compared to standard tyres, low rolling resistance tyres can reduce your annual fuel bill by a significant amount, and Michelin claims its new Energy XM2 tyres deliver five per cent better economy than its previous eco hero tyres, the Energy XM1+. This is due to a 15 per cent reduction in rolling resistance and according to Michelin, in fuel terms, this can save more than 150 litres of fuel over the life of the tyre (on average three years) on a medium car when compared to rival tyres.

What is rolling resistance? Tyres maintain their grip with the road and the friction between them develops resistance. The less resistance a tyre has with the road, the more efficient the car will be. Rolling resistance can be reduced in a number of ways, such as by keeping tyres properly inflated to reduce the contact patch, or by taking advantage of newer, more advanced tyres.

Michelin Australia's Charles Donahoe, explained that rolling resistance can also be reduced by using less energy absorbent materials. "Every time the tyre rotates through a contact patch, and the tyre deforms, you losing energy. [If you] replace carbon black in the tread which is less energy absorbent [with silica], [it] means there's less energy consumed."

"You need the casing and construction of the tyre to be nice and stiff but supple enough to enable all the performance aspects of the tyre -- wet braking, handling and so forth," he said.

The new XM2 tyre uses an updated architecture and construction method, which the company claims delivers one of the lowest rolling resistance levels of any tyre thus far.

Michelin says that tyre longevity and mileage have also been improved since Michelin made its first silica based compound tyre in 1992. "The customer is not going to accept a low rolling resistance tyre that doesn't last," Donahoe said.

The new tyres won't be available for SUVs but most passenger cars from the Mazda2 to Holden Commodore will be catered for with around 20 different sizes available in Australia from June.

Michelin's current best-selling tyre in Australia is the XM1+ and the tyre maker expects the new XM2 to be another popular model, with both private and fleet buyers.

Although mileage will vary with tyres depending on the car and the driving style, Donahoe said the XM1+, which isn't as efficient or durable as the XM2, has recorded an average of 78,000km across a small fleet of taxis. "However taxi tyres are running hot at all times, so the tyres rarely cool down and that heat cycling contributes to tyre life. But it gives us a good indication of what to expect in terms of mileage," he said.

Meanwhile, John and Helen Taylor told the Carsales Network the new Michelin tyres could be decisive in any future fuel economy world record attempts. Thus far the husband and wife duo have broken 88 World Driving Records and several National Driving Records across the planet.

"XM1+ has broken multiple records. There's nothing wrong with that tyre, but we feel with the XM2 we can push the boundaries further as far as record breaking is concerned," said John Taylor.

Helen Taylor said the new XM2 had proved promising during preliminary testing. "The good thing is fuel efficiency has improved and rolling resistance has been reduced significantly," she said.

"Michelin is our choice whenever we attempt a world record," stated John Taylor. "Even on our own personal cars we use XM products. It gives us extra miles over a period of around three years, and the money we've saved on fuel at the petrol pump actually buys us a brand new set of tyres.

"You look at the figures we got today, 3.6L/100 (driving a Toyota Prius), which is phenomenal. We're not saying it's down to the (XM2) tyres in their entirety, but what we are saying is that they make a significant difference to achieve fuel savings and CO2 reductions."

The Michelin Energy XM2 tyres will be launched in June and though pricing hasn't been finalised, Michelin Australia suggested it will be similar to the XM1+ tyres, which start at about $120 per tyre for small cars and go up to $270 per tyre for large cars.


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