TheMichelin PLR, internal nameCitroën DS PLR Break,PoidsLourdRapide [Break] means "fast heavyweight" [Station wagon], nicknamed asMille Pattes, theFrench word forcentipede, is a tire evaluation test car. The single-item based on aCitroën DS Break., built in 1972 by French tire manufacturerMichelin, when Michelin was a shareholder ofcar manufacturerCitroën. The PLR was used on the Test Track Ladoux, inClermont-Ferrand. Michelin no longer uses the vehicle for evaluation, but instead as promotional vehicle at fairs and exhibitions. Most of the time, it is parked in theMichelin Museum in Clermont-Ferrand.[1]
The ten-wheeler uses thehydropneumatic suspension design, based on the Citroën DS platform. Thesteering controls all the four front wheels.[2] Tyres to wheel hubs are parts of theCitroën H Van.[3]
Two350 Chevrolet Small-Block engines are installed in the tail of the PLR, one for driving the vehicle, the other driving the sample tyre, located in the middle of the PLR. Air intake for cooling the engines are located both sides of the PLR, windows had been replaced by grids.
The PLR is 2.45 meters (8.0 ft) wide and 7.2 meters (24 ft) long. Installed lead raised the weight to 9.5 metric tons (21,000 lb).[4] In the center part of the stretched vehicle, the sample tyre unit is installed. Controlled by hydraulics, the sample can be lowered and aligned in various positions. Evaluating tyres for commercial vehicles was feasible. The PLR reaches up to 180 kilometers per hour (110 mph) top speed. Two fuel tanks are installed, 90 liters (24 U.S. gal) each.[5]
