Michelin X FORCE ZL

Reinforced radial casing. The Michelin X FORCE ZL uses a high-tensile steel-belted radial carcass with reinforced sidewalls, a robust bead apex and heavy-gauge chafer to manage extreme loads, impacts and repeated deflection cycles. This construction stabilises the contact patch, lowers heat build-up under sustained duty, and resists ply fatigue, which directly improves durability, casing integrity and retreadability. The result is consistent footprint pressure distribution on- and off-road, reduced irregular wear, and lower total operating cost for fleets operating in harsh mixed-terrain environments.

Self-cleaning open tread. A deep, open-lug pattern with generous void ratio and stepped shoulders promotes rapid mud, clay and gravel ejection at low wheel speeds, preserving edge engagement and braking efficiency in soft or loose substrates. Inter-block tie-bars and optimised block geometry control tread squirm on sealed roads to maintain steering precision and limit heat generation. Stone ejectors mitigate drilling, while the tread’s non-directional layout provides reliable traction and lateral stability across sand, rock, forestry tracks and coarse chipseal, ensuring predictable handling and shorter stopping distances.

Cut and chip resistant compound. A premium NR/BR blend with high-abrasion carbon black and anti-reversion chemistry delivers exceptional tear resistance and cut/chip robustness on sharp aggregate, riverbeds and quarry floors. The compound’s controlled hysteresis lowers heat build-up under high torque and heavy load, delaying thermo-oxidative degradation and protecting belt edges. This maximises tread life in mixed-service use, reduces chunking on rocky terrain, and extends service intervals—translating into fewer changeouts, better casing condition for retread, and improved whole-of-life value.

CTIS-ready bead profile. Engineered bead geometry with a multi-wire bead bundle and reinforced apex maintains bead seat integrity and air seal across a wide pressure window, making the tyre well-suited to vehicles equipped with Central Tyre Inflation Systems. The inner liner’s low-permeability formulation helps retain pressure, decreasing compressor duty cycles, while the bead design resists unseating and slip at very low pressures for enhanced soft-ground flotation. Operators can safely adapt footprint and ground pressure on the fly to optimise mobility, traction and ride across sand, mud and hardpack without compromising rim retention.

Extended mobility capability. Designed to work with Michelin run-flat inserts and beadlock systems, the Michelin X FORCE ZL provides controlled mobility at zero or very low pressure after ballistic perforation or severe puncture, subject to load, speed and terrain. Reinforced sidewalls and heat-managed carcass architecture support transient loads while limiting temperature rise, enabling continued egress over significant distances at reduced speed under representative military test conditions. This safeguards mission continuity, reduces recovery risk, and keeps vehicles and crews moving when it matters most.