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Driving Precision.
From its launch in 1965, the XAS remained the reference tyre until the end of the 70s.
The first tyre with an asymmetrical tread pattern, the inside and outside of the XAS work differently to give the car a good balance. |
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Asymmetrical ! just like a foot is !
MICHELIN made more progress by differentiating the many elements that form the tyre, leading to the creation of the XAS, the first tyre with an asymmetrical tread pattern. The XAS was constructed taking into account the different kinds of work done by the shoulders, sidewalls and different parts of the crown, depending on whether they are on the inside or outside relative to the car. Just like a person’s foot is asymmetrical, the inside and outside of a tyre work differently to give the car good balance and sure handling. | |  |
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Like running on rails
This major progress allows the XAS tyre to give:
- remarkable stability,
- exceptional road holding on bends,
- previously unknown levels of grip in all conditions.
The first production tyre designed to run at 210km/h, (131mph), its exceptional performance naturally led to the XAS being used in racing, in Formula France as from 1968, circuit racing, rallies and hill climbs. | |  |
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The tyre which gave the car its freedom
The XAS marked the beginning of cars which really were a pleasure to drive. The car was no longer just a means of transport, but also an invitation to pleasurable motoring on winding mountain roads as well as nice straight country roads. European roads became much more pleasant, wide and flat like a billiard table, with speed limits still used in built-up areas only.
- British roadsters were beefed up with the TR4 A-IRS (1966), then TR5 (1967) and TR6 (1968), MGB (1963), Lotus Elan (1962), Lotus Cortina (1964).
- The Italians gave even more spirit to their Alfa 1750 (1967), 2000 (1971) and Alfetta (1972), and Fiat 124 Spider and Abarth (1972).
- The Germans gave a more sporty feel to models which were already well established, like the 2002 Ti (1968), the “Pagoda” 230 SL (1963), 250SL (1966) and 280SL (1968) series, the Ford Capri (1969) and of course the famous Porsche 911 (1963).
- The French were not to be outdone with the DS 21 Pallas (1965), the 404 injection (1964) and the sporty Alpine A110 (1963).
- The Japanese also started to make an appearance in this field with the Datsun Fairlady (1966) followed by the 240 Z (1969).
For a privileged few, the pleasure of travelling on four wheels went hand in hand with the very comfortable Mercedes 600 Pullman (1963), Bentley S3 (1962) and, of course, the Rolls Royce Silver Shadow (1965)…
Apart from their performance, the XAS and the XVS suited the times perfectly with their rounded profile and jagged tread patterns. All these cars (and many others) can be fitted with the Michelin XAS or XVS tyres with their classic profile, but now manufactured using today ‘s techniques and materials. | |  |
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