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Michelin in-wheel drive near ready


It has just signed an agreement with CITIC Guoan Mengguli Corp in China to build the wheels for Chinese carmakers and anyone else who wants it.

First revealed exclusively in Carsguide last year, the company's head of research, Philippe Denimal says the wheel could revolutionise the car industry.

Michelin previewed the system 12 months ago at the Challenge Bibendum in Beijing.

The Michelin active wheel uses two electric motors, one for power and braking and another for an integrated active suspension system.

Each sits inside the wheel hub, allowing the car's drivetrain to fit neatly inside the wheel.

Michelin believes the innovative design will help revolutionise how a car is built, allowing a diverse range of designs and chassis combinations.

The French tyre-specialist believes it could be applied to virtually any type of car.

The active wheel's lithium-ion battery development will be done in China where test-mules equipped with lithium-powered wheels are already running around city streets.

Michelin executives believe a production ready system could be available by the end of the year.

Engineers from both companies have been working hard to reduce the wheel's weight and deliver similar damping characteristics available with conventional suspension systems.

Each wheel tips the scales at 42kg.

Earlier this year Michelin and CITIC Guoan Mengguli, known as MGL, signed an agreement to develop electric powertrain systems for electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids.

The system will integrate the active wheel technology with MGL's lithium-ion batteries.

The active wheel is Michelin's proprietary design aimed at electric and fuel cell-powered vehicles.

MGL executives say the system should be available to carmakers in China by the end of the year but most of the demand is expected from export markets.

MGL was the exclusive battery supplier for 50 electric buses used in the Olympic villages during the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

Michelin and MGL have already developed a pure electric car based on the Lifan 520 that has been fitted with the in-wheel system.

The Lifan 520 electric car has a maximum speed of 150km/h and can travel up to 180km when fully charged.