For almost a decade, Michelin has been trying to develop an airless tyre. The good news is that they have succeeded, the company’s latest offering “Tweel” is a revolution in the tyre industry. The name Tweel is derived from two words — wheel and tyre. Michelin’s Tweel concept is based on a rubber-spoked tyre-wheel combo. The first consumer version of tweel concept tyre is called as X Tweel UTV. In the Indian market, it is priced at around INR 51,000, which is extremely costly. But, then it is not meant for ordinary vehicles. Currently, Michelin’s X Tweel tyre is only available for some commercial and off-road vehicles.
Tweel is different from other tyres in a way that it has the ability to deform and reform in tough terrains. As the tyre has got no air chamber like other conventional tyres, it means there are no chances of a puncture. Tweel has received a speed rating till 60 kmph, which makes it perfect for off-road adventures.
The use of Tweel in conventional or passenger vehicles seems highly unlikely in the near future. The reason is that these vehicles have no space in their wheel arches that can manage the kind of deformation that Tweel goes through. One more thing that prevents its use in the conventional vehicles is the fact that its handling is extremely rugged and unstable. This is fine for off-road adventures not for city drive. In the past, Michelin has manufactured Tweel tyres only for some small construction vehicles and golf carts, this is the first time that it has been expanded to cover off-road vehicles too.