Michelin X Incity Z

Reinforced urban sidewalls. A wraparound kerbing band and increased sidewall rubber gauge on the Michelin X Incity Z use a high-structure carbon black and cut-resistant elastomer blend to dissipate curb impact energy and resist abrasion in low-speed manoeuvres. Additional chafer reinforcement and optimised cord angles in the sidewall plies reduce strain concentrations at the bead turn-up, helping prevent ply cord fretting and air migration after repeated kerb contacts. The result is a sidewall architecture that maintains casing integrity under stop–start thermal cycles and frequent scuffing, lowering premature scrappage from kerbing damage and protecting the bead seat for reliable air retention and multiple retreads, which directly supports lower cost per kilometre in city bus duty.

All-position urban tread. An all-position, directionally neutral pattern with a robust central rib, interlocking 3D sipes and transverse notches gives the Michelin X Incity Z high lateral stiffness for precise steering while preserving edge effect for wet braking and traction at bus stop pull-aways. Wide longitudinal grooves evacuate water efficiently to stabilise the contact patch at typical urban speeds, while a cap/base dual-compound construction pairs a cool-running base to limit hysteresis in the crown with a tear-resistant cap to withstand high slip angles from roundabouts and lane changes. The geometry mitigates river wear and shoulder feathering in frequent braking cycles, delivering even wear and predictable handling through the full tread life in year-round New Zealand conditions.

Infinicoil crown reinforcement. A continuous 0-degree steel cable encircles the crown (Infinicoil) to stabilise the Michelin X Incity Z footprint under variable axle loads and high scrub angles, limiting belt growth and reducing shear at splice zones. By keeping the contact pressure distribution uniform, Infinicoil curbs irregular wear modes common in urban service, such as shoulder rippling and heel-and-toe, and lowers heat build-up at belt edges during repeated decelerations. The mechanically stiffer crown improves directional stability on steer axles, enhances resistance to shock from potholes and speed humps, and preserves casing geometry for retreadability, so fleets can plan multiple lives with reliable performance and predictable maintenance intervals.

Powercoil casing cords. High-tensile Powercoil steel cords in the carcass deliver superior fatigue resistance under high-frequency flexion typical of stop–start city routes, with enhanced rubber-to-metal adhesion to resist corrosion from moisture ingress after minor penetrations. The thinner-gauge, high-strength filaments contribute to a lighter, cooler-running casing without compromising load capacity, reducing hysteresis losses and supporting lower fuel consumption or extended e-range where buses are electrified. By controlling cord strain and bead-to-bead stiffness, the Michelin X Incity Z maintains stable footprint geometry across a wide inflation and load window, improving endurance, cut-chip resistance on scuffed surfaces, and casing value for high-quality retreads.

Embedded RFID identification. A moulded-in passive UHF RFID transponder gives each Michelin X Incity Z a unique digital identity that is readable through the sidewall, enabling seamless integration with tyre management systems for automated reception, fitting, rotation and retread tracking. The chip is designed to withstand curing and retread temperatures, requires no battery, and supports rapid scan workflows to associate pressure, tread depth and kilometre data to a specific casing and wheel position. For operators, this improves traceability, reduces manual data entry errors, and underpins condition-based maintenance and compliance reporting, helping maximise uptime and extract full value across first life and subsequent retreads.