new michelin energy saver tire not coming to US

[konakahuna]

here's a piece of unfortunate news:

after michelin introduced their next-gen "energy saver" LRR tire at the frankfurt auto show last year, i felt confident that they would be coming to the US to replace the discontinued MXV4. with a 15-20% lowering of rolling resistance, it would provide an extra 3-4 MPG over their last gen tires.

unfortunately, it seems like i was wrong. i called michelin this week to ask when they'd be available and was told they there are no plans to bring these tires to america. what's the point of developing a revolutionary new tire if you don't plan to sell it in the country that drives the most?

if anyone has heard anything different, i'd love to hear it. this is a real bummer. i guess i'll have to find a different set of shoes for my '05.

[patsparks]

Do you get the MXV4+ there?

[konakahuna]

my understanding is that they've been discontinued in our sizes....

that was my first choice of tire.

[jdenenberg]

Originally Posted by konakahuna

my understanding is that they've been discontinued in our sizes.... that was my first choice of tire.

The MXV4+ tires on my 2004 Prius did get slightly better MPG (by about 1/2 MPG) than the OE GY Integrity tires. The Nokian WRs that I now have are doing even better (at about 7,000 miles of use). If you don't need the superior snow/ice traction of the WRs, get the WRg2 which still has the WR aggressive tread on one edge and a touring-style tread on the other edge.

You can get the Nokians at a reasonable cost (~$100 each for 185/65HR15s) via:

Nokian Tires - Winter Tires, Snow Tires and much more from the Tire Factory

JeffD

[konakahuna]

jeffD,
thanks for the link. the nokian tires look really interesting. a few questions for you....

1) what's your MPG now and what difference are you noticing over stock?
2) how is the ride comfort?
3) how do the nokians rate in terms of tire noise?

thanks again. i think now it's between the nokian WRg2 and the continental contipremiere.


david r

[krousdb]

According to the Seattle PI
"Michelin is offering drivers a new tire that's designed to improve fuel economy and safety. The company announced recently at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit that the Michelin Energy Saver All-Season tire will go on sale this summer."

Michelin rolls out new gas saver tire

[jdenenberg]

Originally Posted by konakahuna

jeffD,
thanks for the link. the nokian tires look really interesting. a few questions for you....

1) what's your MPG now and what difference are you noticing over stock?
2) how is the ride comfort?
3) how do the nokians rate in terms of tire noise?

thanks again. i think now it's between the nokian WRg2 and the continental contipremiere.


david r

Dave,

The Nokian WRs are getting about 4% better MPG than the Goodyear Integrity tires that came with my Prius. My MXV4+ managed about 1% more MPG than the GYs.

Since my first car was a Triumph TR4, I'm obviously immune to a harsh ride . The Nokians (and the MXV4+) have stiffer sidewalls than the GYs (that's why they handle better) so at the same PSI (I run mine at 42/40) they will ride a bit stiffer.

The WRs are a bit noisy, the WRg2 should be a bit quieter, but have a little less snow traction (my WRs are amazing on snow/ice, even after 39.5k miles) due to the less aggressive tread on one edge.

Attached is a detailed spreadsheet of my 139.5k miles of experience with the three tires discussed above.

JeffD

[PA Prius]

Originally Posted by krousdb

According to the Seattle PI
"Michelin is offering drivers a new tire that's designed to improve fuel economy and safety. The company announced recently at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit that the Michelin Energy Saver All-Season tire will go on sale this summer."

Michelin rolls out new gas saver tire

I've been trying to get some info out of Michelin. I'm told some sizes of the Energy Saver will be available here in the US in June and additional sizes added later in the year. I'm curious why they will be marketing this tire to those who drive 10k/year or less.

I'm also trying to learn more about the new generation of HydroEdge ("with Energy Saver technology") due out this year.

I'll post if and when I learn more.

PA Prius

[ualdriver]

Michelin Enhances Mobility With the Introduction of the Energy Saver All-Season Passenger Car Tire - Jan 12, 2009

Michelin Enhances Mobility With the Introduction of the Energy Saver All-Season Passenger Car Tire
PRNewswire
DETROIT
DETROIT, Jan. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- A tire designed for exceptional levels of fuel-efficiency while inspiring a confident driving experience all-year round, the MICHELIN® Energy Saver All-Season tire is set to deliver consumers an environmentally friendly performance package that is unprecedented in the industry. The tire will be unveiled at the 2009 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in January and consumers will be able to purchase the tire this summer.

[PA Prius]

I got this response from Michelin this morning--

"According to our latest information the sizes that will be launched in the
Energy Saver A/S in June will include 185/65r15. This tire is expected to
deliver accepted mileage but will not carry a mileage warranty as the
Hydroedge does. This will the lowest rolling resistance tire Michelin
builds. The Hydroedge would be the next in line."

By "accepted" do they mean "acceptional," or is that my wishful thinking? I've responded to them again, asking for the third time when the new generation of HydroEdge will be on the market. Again, I'll let you know when I know more.

PA P