Q a new relatively new entrant into the tyre business has come up with a new tyre offering – Celsius, the first truly all weather tyre with retractable studs. The Celsius technology enables studs to be extended from the tyre surface in snow and ice, yet remain below the tyre tread when not required.
The studs are deployed when air pressure from the main chamber of the tyre expands a secondary chamber / air bladder. When the studs are no longer required the air pressure in the secondary chamber is released causing the studs to retract. This process can be carried out about 50times before the tyre needs to be refilled.
The US states of Montana, Washington, Idaho and Oregon are expected to pass legislation allowing Q-Tyres to be used all year round. Q expects to have these tyres ready by 2007 winter.