Les Bishop, product marketing manager at MAN Truck and Bus UK, says testing confirmed the tyres’ fuel-saving credentials, which match the long-haul truck’s efficiency drive.
The trials, conducted with the support of Michelin’s UK technical team, involved running the on a 130 mile test route for a week, with the benchmark being sets of Michelin’s X MultiWay 3D regional tread pattern tyres in 295/80 R 22.5, 315/70 R 22.5 and 315/80 R 22.5 sizes.
The tyres were fitted to a MAN TGX XLX 26.440, pulling a fully-laden tri-axle Don-Bur trailer.
The 315/70 X Line Energy tyres – designed for long-distance, high average speed journeys – recorded 5% better fuel efficiency over the X MultiWay 3D tyres.
“The fuel efficiency achieved by MAN’s EfficientLine2 is a result of a carefully selected combination of components – not least energy-efficient tyres,” comments Bishop.
“The intensive week-long testing process revealed that the ideal fitment for us was Michelin’s 315/70 X Line Energy tyres – which is now the ideal fitment for new EfficientLine 2 models rolling off the production line,” he continues.
Bishop says fuel trials are essential to guide MAN to select the optimum tyre for an individual class of truck, and that Michelin tyres frequently come out above other premium brands.
“We generally talk about how fitting a Michelin tyre will give you 2—3% better fuel economy over anything else, and that’s before you get into the specialised X Line Energy fitments for long-distance trunking,” he explains.
Michelin’s 315/70-series fitments feature a wider nominal section width and lower profile than traditional 295/80 tyres previously favoured in the UK.
They thus provide a greater contact area with the road surface, which, according to Michelin, promotes even wear, with a high degree of tyre stability and a lower centre of gravity for improved vehicle handling.
Additionally, with an 8,000kg front axle rating, they are also well suited for the additional unladen front axle weights imposed by most Euro 6 engined vehicles.
“It’s the little things that add up to make the big difference when it comes to fuel efficiency,” muses Bishop.
“This latest generation of Michelin X Line Energy tyres are well suited to both long-distance motorway driving, in terms of fuel efficiency, and in durability and traction when dealing with the UK’s many roundabouts and A-roads.”