Michelin Primacy 3 ST tyre launched in Malaysia
Michelin Malaysia Sdn Bhd has introduced its new Primacy 3 ST tyre, which will gradually supersede the Primacy LC, as a high-end refinement-oriented tyre. Developed from data accumulated from 10 years of studying tyres that traveled over 1.3 million kilometres combined, the 3 ST was designed for the extreme road and weather conditions native to countries throughout the Asia Pacific region.
The tyre incorporates a number of nifty innovations which Michelin claim to extend longevity of the tyre by 25% over the Primacy LC, deliver a seemingly quieter ride, enhanced comfort, and crucially in the name of safety, shorter braking distances. Assuming these claims to be valid, this makes the Primacy 3 ST to be a very well-balanced all-rounder tyre. In terms of positioning, the 3 ST is said to be an upgrade from the LC, but still slotting below the Primacy HP and Pilot Sport 3.
Four key technologies incorporated in the Primacy 3 ST were highlighted as key features that contribute to its claimed well-rounded set of abilities. First of them is EvenPeak technology which reduces road noise levels by 8% over leading competitors. Realizing that it is impossible to lower the actual noise generated by a tyre in motion, Michelin’s approach to tackling road noise was to line the tyre with differently-sized tread blocks, thus spreading the generated noise over a wider frequency range.
Because the generated noise is spread over a wide range of frequencies and not concentrated in peaks, our ears do not perceive them as strongly, and the result is a tyre that sounds quieter than competitors despite actually generating the same amount of noise energy.
CushionGuard technology, meanwhile, combines flexible tread compounds, shock absorbent sidewalls and noise-filtering rubber to cushion vibrations caused by uneven road surfaces to give a smoother ride. Also, compared to most other tyres, the 3 ST has a more rounded cross section which facilitates better absorption of surface harshness.
Zooming deeper into the tread patterns, we have FlexMax and StabiliGrip technologies, which Michelin claims to improve overall grip of the tyres and help shorten braking distances by as much as 1.6m compared to the LC – 1.6m in an emergency situation is the difference between stopping in time or hitting someone.
FlexMax technology features the use of a highly flexible tread compound moulded into a chamfered tread blocks. These two design features enable the tread block to better adapt its shape to the surface of the road and thus enhance the overall contact patch substantially. StabiliGrip, meanwhile, uses self-locking bands inside the grooves between tread blocks to minimize tread block deformation when cornering or braking.
Michelin is pricing the new Primacy 3 ST at the same level as the Primacy LC, with the cheapest being RM480 per piece and increasing with size. Available range of sizes for the Malaysian market range from 16″ to 19″, and depending on size, the tyres are imported from either Thailand or China.
