The Michelin Centipede: High-Speed Tire Innovation
from Classics in Motion-A Deep Dive Hosted by Kristo Cairns
In the 1970s, Michelin developed a highly specialized vehicle known as the PLR, or "Centipede," to safely test truck tires at sustained high speeds. Built on a heavily modified Citroen DS chassis, this ten-wheeled mobile laboratory utilized a unique hydropneumatic suspension to maintain stability and simulate heavy cargo loads. The massive vehicle featured dual Chevrolet V8 engines, with one dedicated to driving the car and the other powering a hidden eleventh wheel used for testing in the center of the chassis. This internal configuration protected the driver from catastrophic tire failures while allowing engineers to gather precise data in real-world conditions. Although modern indoor technology eventually rendered the project obsolete, the Michelin PLR remains a legendary piece of automotive history currently preserved in a French museum.
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