Why don’t tires get the respect they deserve? Maybe it’s because they’re so down to earth. Maybe it’s because hubcaps outshine them. But the latest technology for car tires promises a lot more buzz about where the rubber meets the road.
Tire Computer Chips
Companies are implementing “smart” tire technology with high-end cars that are built to perform. McLaren has recently announced that its new $225,000 Artura supercar will feature tires embedded with computer chips. They can convey information about the tires’ temperature and air pressure to the car’s computers. The tires, called P Zero Trofeo and produced by Pirelli, resemble what self-driving cars will need without drivers to sense traction and stability problems.
Sensors Connected To Apps
Another tire maker, Michelin, knows that we like our data right in our hands. Their new Track Connect 2 app communicates with sensors installed inside their tires. The app can alert a driver that the tires need more air pressure or notify them of a leak. The new Porsche 911 GT3 already comes standard with tires that use this system.
No More Squeaky Wheel
Bridgestone has launched QuietTrack, a new tire technology that reduces road noise inside and outside the vehicle. The secret is a combination of innovative rubber compounds and a new tread design. They should have built-in demand with luxury car owners, who don’t want to hear something as unpleasant as noise pollution.
Air-Free, Carefree
Flat tires on busy roads are a common danger, and it doesn’t take much for a high-speed blowout to turn tragic. The answer, of course, is to eliminate the need for air in tires altogether. But Bridgestone’s latest technology for car tires is close to making “air-free” a reality. Their non-pneumatic tires won’t require inflation at all, with a unique structure of resin spokes that would make punctures a thing of the past. For now, they’re testing it out on bicycles, but Bridgestone is confident they’ll be the first to produce airless car tires. If not, Michelin says they can get it done with the help of General Motors by 2024.
