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{{Short description|Radial car tire introduced in 1975}}
The '''Michelin TRX, '''(and the related TDX), is a [[Radial tire|radial]] [[tire]] introduced by the [[Michelin]] Group in 1975. It is one of the first volume-produced low-profile tires. Although technologically advanced, and reasonably successful, the tire's requirement for a non-standard [[Rim (wheel)|rim]] ultimately condemned it to a relatively short commercial life. It has thus been called the "[[Betamax]] of the tire industry.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |url=http://jpowell.tripod.com/saab-wheels/trx/ |title=SAAB TRX Wheels|last1= |first1= |last2= |first2= |date= |website= |publisher= |accessdate=27 February 2014 |archiveurl=httphttps://web.archive.org/web/20060530035844/http://jpowell.tripod.com/saab-wheels/trx/ |archivedate=2006-05-30}} </ref>"
 
==Background and development==
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The "TR" was for "tension répartie", since tire stresses were better balanced in the new design, whilst the "X" was a reference to previous Michelin products such as the famous "X" radial.
 
TRX tires thus require the use of wheels that were specially designed for them; standard tires do not fit TRX wheels and vice- versa.
 
To avoid potentially dangerous confusion, Michelin used metric sizes for TRX roadwheels instead of the standard imperial wheel size (normally stated in inches).
 
==Usage==
[[File:Alpine A 310 V6, Bj. 1982 (2015-09-12 3736 b).JPG|thumb|Renault [[Alpine A310]] V6 with TRX tires]]
TRX tires were available either as standard or optional equipment on certain models of European makes such as [[BMW]], [[Audi]], [[Mercedes-Benz]], [[Citroen]], [[Peugeot]], [[Ford]], [[Ferrari]], [[Alfa Romeo]], [[Renault]], and [[Saab Automobile|SAAB]]. They were also available on certain models of the Ford Mustang and [[Mercury Capri]] during the 1980s.▼
[[File:1995 BMW 525i Sport, UK (rear) (22286662269).jpg|thumb|1995 BMW 525i Sport with TRX tires]]
▲TRX tires were available either as standard or optional equipment on certain models of European makes such as [[BMW]], [[Audi]], [[Mercedes-Benz]], [[CitroenCitroën]], [[Peugeot]], [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]], [[Ferrari]], [[Alfa Romeo]], [[Renault]], and [[Saab Automobile|SAAB]]. They were also available on certain models of the [[Ford Mustang]], andFord Thunderbird, [[Mercury Capri]], Mercury Cougar, and [[Mercury Lynx]] during the 1980s.
 
Although most TRX tires were produced by Michelin, a few sizes were made by Avon, Continental, Goodyear (mainly for the American market<ref name=reinventing>{{cite web |url=http://www.curbsideclassic.com/automotive-histories/automotive-history-michelins-trx-tire-reinventing-the-radial-tire-didnt-work-as-well-as-inventing-it/ |title=Automotive History: Michelin’sMichelin's TRX Tire–Reinventing The Radial Tire Didn’tDidn't Work Quite As Well As Inventing It |last1= |first1= |last2= |first2= |date= |website= |publisher= |accessdate=27 February 2014 |archiveurl=httphttps://web.archive.org/web/20131018232542/http://www.curbsideclassic.com/automotive-histories/automotive-history-michelins-trx-tire-reinventing-the-radial-tire-didnt-work-as-well-as-inventing-it/ |archivedate=2013-10-18}}</ref>) and Dunlop. Dunlop fitted their version of the trxTRX tire as standard equipment on austinAustin montego'sMontegos and austinAustin miniMini metro'sMetros.
 
==TRX sizes==
TRX wheels existed in diameters from {{convert|315|mm}} to {{convert|415|mm}}<ref name=sizes>< /ref>
 
Some common TRX sizes and vehicles:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.forum-auto.com/automobiles-mythiques-exception/section5/sujet141356-35.htm |title=List found on this forum |last1accessdate=27 |first1=February 2014|last2url-status= dead|first2archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20131013124051/http://www.forum-auto.com/automobiles-mythiques-exception/section5/sujet141356-35.htm|datearchivedate=13 |website=October |publisher= |accessdate=27 February 20142013}}</ref>
 
<nowiki> Size Application </nowiki>
* 160/65 R 315 TRX [[Innocenti Mini#Minitre|Innocenti Turbo De Tomaso (1984-1989)]], [[Austin Metro]]
* 160/65 SR 340 TRX [[Citroën Visa|Citroën Visa GT]]
* 165/70 R 365 TRX Ford Escort GT, EXP, Mercury Lynx RS
* 170/65 R 365 TRX [[Citroën BX]], [[Peugeot 305]]
* 185180/65 HR 390 TRX [[Saab 900|SAAB 900 S]] and [[Saab 900|Turbo]] (1980/81)<ref name=":0" />
* 190/65 HR 390 TRX [[Citroën CX]], [[Ford Granada (Europe)|Ford Granada]], Mercedes 200, 220, 240, [[Peugeot 504|Peugeot 504 Coupé]], [[Renault 20/30|Renault 30TX]]
* 190/55 VR 340 TRX [[Renault Alpine|Alpine A310 V6]] (AV), [[Renault 5 Turbo]] (AV), [[Alfa Romeo Alfasud|Alfasud Ti]]
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* 200/60 VR 390 TRX BMW 518, 520, 525, 528, 728, Mercedes 200, 220, 240, 300
* 210/55 VR 390 TRX [[Citroën CX|Citroën CX 25 GTI Turbo]]
* 220/55 VR 390 TRX BMW 525, 528, 728, 535, M535I 635 Csi, 735i. [[Ford Fairlane (Australia)#ZK / FD (1982–1984)|Ford LTD]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boostedfalcon.net/falconfacts/fairlaneltd/zkfd.html|title=Falcon Facts: ZK Fairlane / FD LTD|accessdate=29 August 2018|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160806223659/http://www.boostedfalcon.net/falconfacts/fairlaneltd/zkfd.html|archivedate=6 August 2016}}</ref> Ford Mustang, Thunderbird. Mercury Capri, Cougar. Ferrari 208, 308, [[Ferrari Mondial|Mondial 3, 2]] (AV)
* 240/55 VR 390 TRX [[Ferrari Mondial|Ferrari Mondial 8]] & [[Ferrari Mondial|Cabriolet]], [[Ferrari Mondial|Mondial 3, 2]] (AR)
* 240/55 VR 415 TRX [[Ferrari 400|Ferrari 400 Gtii]], 512 B, [[Ferrari 400|412 Gtii]]
* 240/45 ZR 415 TRX [[BMW 635CSiM635CSi|BMW 635M635 CSi]], Ferrari 512 BB (AV), [[Ferrari Testarossa|Testarossa]] (AV)
* 280/45 VR 415 TRX Ferrari 512 BB (AR), [[Ferrari Testarossa|Testarossa]] (AR)
 
Note: AV='front', AR='rear'. Does not include North American vehicles.
 
Other sizes were available, for instance 160/65 R 315, in TDX version.<ref name=sizes>{{cite web |url=http://www.drtheo.nl/CX/TRX-history.htm |title=Michelin TRX-radials tubeless |last1= |first1= |last2= |first2= |date= |website= |publisher= |accessdate=27 February 2014 |archiveurl=httphttps://web.archive.org/web/20120615102011/http://www.drtheo.nl/CX/TRX-history.htm |archivedate=2012-06-15}}</ref>
 
==Decline==
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Rival manufacturers, such as Dunlop, thus produced replacement wheels and tires for popular cars, specifically for high-performance or winter conditions.
 
In due course advances in tire technology caught up with the TRX line, enabling similar performance and greater convenience at lower cost. TRX tires are now produced only as special-order replacements for vehicles which were originally fitted with them. As of 2024, Michelin Classic stillis hasproducing these tires in its catalogue.<ref>{{cite web |url=httphttps://wwwclassic.michelinclassicmichelin.com/en/Classic-Tyre-range/TRX |title=TRX {{!}} Michelin Classic |last1website= |first1=Michelin |last2= |first2= |date= |website= |publisher=Classic |accessdate=274 February 2014 |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20140227115451/http://www.michelinclassic.com/en/Classic-Tyre-range/TRX |archivedate=2014-02-272022}}</ref>
Also, [[Coker Tire]] purchased the molds<ref name=reinventing></ref> and currently (February 2014) produces 14 sizes of TRX tires.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cokertire.com/searchbyattributes/?tire_size_new=0&sidewall_style=0&tire_type=10435 |title=Coker Tire TRX catalogue |last1= |first1= |last2= |first2= |date= |website= |publisher= |accessdate=27 February 2014 |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20140227115749/http://www.cokertire.com/searchbyattributes/?tire_size_new=0&sidewall_style=0&tire_type=10435 |archivedate=2014-02-27}}</ref>
 
==References==
'''Citations'''
{{reflist|references=34em}}
 
'''Notes'''
{{notelist|notes=}}
 
==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070430085728/http://www.michelin-passion.com/passion/front/templates/affich.jsp?codeRubrique=43&lang=EN TRX page from Michelin Group website].
* [http://www.curbsideclassic.com/automotive-histories/automotive-history-michelins-trx-tire-reinventing-the-radial-tire-didnt-work-as-well-as-inventing-it/ IndependantIndependent history and review of the TRX tire.]
* [http://jpowell.tripod.com/saab-wheels/trx/ Article on TRX tires for SAAB automobiles.]
{{Michelin Corporation|state=autocollapse}}
 
{{primary sources|date=June 2007}}
 
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