What do all cars, trucks, and SUVs have in common? Not enough wheels. At least, that's what the engineers of this company thought in 1972.
What do all cars, trucks, and SUVs have in common? Not enough wheels. At least, it seems that was the thought when the company Michelin conceived this ridiculous ten-wheeled station wagon, the Michelin PLR 1972. This resulted in the unique ten-wheeled station wagon Michelin PLR. But in fact, it even had 11 wheels! The car was 7.3 meters long, and two engines were hidden under the hood.
Although this model never went into production, it was created not just for show — it had a very practical purpose.
Based on the Citroën DS Break wagon, Michelin significantly revamped it. Instead of the standard engine, two V8s from the Corvette C3 were installed. According to various sources, their total output was between 500 and 700 hp, though Michelin's official website states a more modest 250 hp per engine at 4800 rpm.
To avoid overheating, engineers equipped the PLR with two radiators (17 liters each) and eight fans. The body design provided effective cooling even under high loads.
The fuel tank held 105 liters, but given the 10-ton weight, the range was unlikely to be impressive. However, Michelin did not plan to use the PLR for long journeys.
Despite the name "ten-wheeled", the Michelin PLR had one additional wheel — hidden inside. Opening the side panel reveals a large truck tire. It unveils the true purpose of the vehicle: testing tires for heavy trucks at high speeds.
The first engine was responsible for movement, transferring power to the three rear axles, while the second rotated the test tire. This design allowed safe tire testing: if the tire failed, the car still had 10 wheels for stability. An additional wing protected the body from damage in case of a blowout.
Over time, the company abandoned this testing method in favor of lab tests. The unique Michelin PLR is now displayed at the Michelin Museum in Clermont-Ferrand. Modern technologies are certainly more effective, but they do not look as impressive as this unusual concept.