From its launch in 1965, the XAS remained the reference tyre until the end of the 70s.

The first tyre with an asymmetrical tread pattern, the inside and outside of the XAS work differently to give the car a good balance. Asymmetrical, just like a foot is.

Michelin made more progress by differentiating the many elements that form the tyre, leading to the creation of the XAS, the first tyre with an asymmetrical tread pattern. The XAS was constructed taking into account the different kinds of work done by the shoulders, sidewalls and different parts of the crown, depending on whether they are on the inside or outside relative to the car. Just like a person’s foot
is asymmetrical, the inside and outside of a tyre work differently to give the car good balance and sure handling.
Like running on rails

This major progress allows the XAS tyre to give :

• remarkable stability,
• exceptional road holding on bends,
• previously unknown levels of grip in all conditions.

The first production tyre designed to run at 210km/h, (131mph), its exceptional performance naturally led to the XAS being used in racing, in Formula France as from 1968, circuit racing, rallies and hill climbs.