Michelin releases new summer tire Primacy 5
Michelin introduces the new Michelin Primacy 5 passenger summer tire to the market, which replaces the Primacy 4+ model, released in 2022, and surpasses its predecessor in several parameters, such as wet road traction, durability, and fuel efficiency.
Compared to the Primacy 4+, braking efficiency has increased by 4%, and Michelin emphasizes that the new tire maintains its characteristics as it wears out, and the braking properties when reaching the minimum legal tread depth of 1.6 mm remain at the same level as the previous generation tires.
The Primacy 5 also has the highest "A" rating in the European classification, and the tire met the regulatory requirements for this rating in both new and worn conditions.
In the creation of the tires, the improved EverGrip technology was used, and as the tire wears out, the stable volume of water drainage grooves is maintained, allowing the tires to continue to effectively drain water from the contact area. The tread pattern has been optimized for rapid liquid drainage, and the company says the tires "have excellent braking properties from the first to the last mile".
According to David Witte, a customer technical support employee at Michelin in the Benelux countries, around 50% of tires in the world are replaced too early, i.e., before reaching the legal limit of tread depth. "And this is despite the fact that rolling resistance decreases as the tires wear out, which means that fuel consumption also decreases," he noted, adding that fleet operators often fear that the characteristics of worn tires deteriorate too much, while Michelin guarantees that the company's products work effectively until the limit is reached, allowing for the full potential of the tires to be utilized.
The lifespan of the new tires has been increased by 18%, which was confirmed by tests conducted by DEKRA (tires of the 235/45 R18 size were tested on a Tesla Model 3). The MaxTouch technology was used, which improved the even distribution of forces in the contact patch during acceleration, braking, and maneuvering, making the tires more durable without compromising safety, while the patented Michelin tread compound has increased wear resistance (EverTread technology).
The new Michelin tires have also been adapted to the specific characteristics of electric vehicles. In particular, the rubber compound has been modified to reduce rolling resistance and, consequently, improve energy efficiency, the new tread pattern reduces noise levels, and, as already mentioned, the tread wear resistance has been increased, which is particularly important when using tires on heavy electric cars. "We expect the share of electric vehicles in the global market to grow to 12% by 2030, so all our tires are suitable for use on vehicles of all types," Witte said.
Michelin Primacy 5 tires have been released in 64 sizes, from 195/55 R16 to 235/45 R19. "These are tires for the mass market, which can be installed on compact cars and B-class vehicles, as well as on large crossovers," noted a Michelin representative.