Airless Tires

Imagine a tire that never goes flat! That’s the idea behind the non-pneumatic tire (NPT) being developed by a Korean manufacturer. And after several iterations, it looks like they finally have a winner.

Known as iFlex, the new tire is made from eco-friendly recycled, material. On the outside, it looks much like a traditional tire with a similar sidewall height, but inside it consists of a compressible web that delivers the same shock absorption and handling characteristics as air-filled counterparts. Unlike earlier NPT designs, which integrated the tire with the wheel (commonly referred to as a “tweel”), iFlex is designed to be mounted to a standard wheel, which also reduces cost.

Ride and handling tests – including durability, stability, hardness and slalom (zig-zag-ability) – at speeds of up to 80 miles per hour (130 kilometers per hour) indicate that iFlex prototypes match the performance characteristics of pressurized tires. The company has not yet disclosed when the puncture-proof tires will be available for purchase.