I thought you guys might like to see the next generation of tires. They had a pair at the Philadelphia Car Show. Maybe you saw them & maybe you didn't.

These tires are airless and are schedule to be out in the market. It's bad news for law emforcement because the spike strips will not work on these tires.This is what great R&D will do & just think of the impact on existing technology.

a. no more valves.
b. no more air compressors at the gas stations.
c. no more repair kits.
Here are more pics from the Michelin plant in South Carolina....

 

I really want to try these out, I hear they have gotten all of the stiffness issues worked out. (Used to be VERY stiff,rough)...

 

Not much for looks, but I'm sure they'll come out with different styles of wheels to compliment different tastes. If it means not having to worry about nails, screws, glass and your occasional tire slasher, I'm all for it.

 

Hmm? It maybe functional & I give them credit for their ingenuity but those are the ugliest tires I've ever seen. I guess it's because I'm so use to how our tires look now. I wonder how you mount this & how it provides enough pressure on the wheels to keep it from sliding off?

 

I'm sure they've already tested those tires to hell and back. But to me they look like there is a lot of flex in it. Regardless, air free tires are pretty cool

 

I understand that they are very loud...so there is more to be done.
For starters....they could be great for the Military, Construction & Gardening machinery!!!

 

I'm sure exposing the innards is for demonstration purposes. But it looks like we'll all be stuck with high sidewalls like back in the 70s...maybe with big white stripes. LOL.

 

I agree, I dont think the production versions will expose the insides.

 

From what I understand the "Wheel" part of the Tweel is not independant of the "Tire" part, they are as One and manufactured ad one. You get new tires, you get new rims at the same time.

How this is cost effective I do no know.

 

so what do you do if you want more contact surface area? I dont see those being on race cars unless they save massive weight and can be adjusted. Also, rubber runs out so unless they're cost effective to replace, i see them as expensive R&D