Since the 20th century,
Michelin has stood as a premier manufacturer of tyres, continually dedicating itself to tyre innovation and advancement.
Michelin has developed some of the best seasonal tyres on the market, from reliable
all-season tyres to high-performance
summer tyres.
One seasonal tyre type that Michelin has also specialised in is winter tyres, which is highlighted through their Alpin tyre series.
The most recent Alpin tyre model is the
Alpin 6, a premium winter tyre released globally by Michelin back in 2018. However, a brand new Alpin model, the Michelin Alpin 7, has just been released in 2024.
With the release of the all-new
Alpin 7, we feel it’s necessary to compare the Alpin 7 to its successful predecessor, the Alpin 7.
Today, we will cover the key features of both models and how they stack up against each other.
Michelin Alpin 6 vs Alpin 7: What's the difference?
The biggest difference between the Michelin Alpin 6 and Michelin Alpin 7 is that the Alpin 7 builds on the strengths of its predecessor with improvements in snow braking, winter traction and energy efficiency.
The Michelin Alpin 6 established itself as one of Michelin's leading premium winter tyres, offering dependable grip, confident braking and excellent longevity in cold, wet and snowy conditions.
The Michelin Alpin 7 is the latest generation of Michelin's winter tyre range. It introduces a new directional tread pattern, an updated winter compound and progressive sipes that continue to appear as the tyre wears, helping maintain performance throughout the tyre's lifespan.
Michelin also states the Alpin 7 improves snow braking by up to 6% while reducing rolling resistance by around 9% compared with the Alpin 6.
In simple terms:
Choose the Alpin 6 if you're replacing an existing set or maintaining the original fitment on your vehicle.
Choose the Alpin 7 if you want Michelin's latest winter tyre technology.
Alpin 6 Overview
The Michelin Alpin 6 is an industry leading winter tyre manufactured by Michelin.
Since the Alpin 6 is a winter tyre, it is developed to be at its most optimal level of performance when driving through wet, snowy, and/or icy weather conditions.
The capabilities of this tyre are underscored by its inclusion of the Three Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) tyre marking. This EU-approved label signifies that the tyre model has undergone and passed standardized, supervised, and stringent tests assessing its suitability for winter conditions.
Industry leading technologies have been applied to the Alpin 6 to further optimise the performance levels in winter conditions – Michelin’s WinterEverGrip technology ensures continued braking and traction on snow.
Additionally, the Alpin 6 is equipped with Michelin’s MaxTouch technology to confirm that tyre pressure is evenly distributed, further bettering the tyre’s longevity.
The Alpin 6 outperforms its predecessor, the Alpin 5, by over 6% on wet surfaces and over 8% in snow.
The Michelin Alpin 7 is a winter tyre set to be released by Michelin in 2024.
Like its predecessor that we just spoke about, the Alpin 6, the Alpin 7 is a winter tyre that offers great levels of performance throughout winter driving conditions.
The Michelin winter tyre features cutting-edge Michelin technology, including a newly formulated compound optimized for low temperatures.
A sophisticated compound delivers strong traction on the road, improving driver control during acceleration, braking, and cornering during winter driving conditions.
Furthermore, the Michelin Alpin 7 is engineered with distinctive grooves that become visible as the tyre wears. This smart tread pattern maintains consistent performance over the tyre's life, especially in snowy conditions.
Scheduled for a 2024 release, the Alpin 7 will succeed the Alpin 6.
Tyre label ratings are an EU regulated ranking system that rates a tyre model on key performance categories.
The following categories are ranked as follows:
Fuel Efficiency – Ranked A to E
Wet Grip – Ranked A to E
Tyre Noise – Ranked with numbers and A to C/Decibels (dB)
Alpin 6 Label Ratings
In the available tyre sizes on the Michelin website, the Michelin Alpin 6 has fuel efficiency ratings of C or D.
The wet grip ratings for the Alpin 6 is B across all available tyre sizes.
External tyre noise ratings are also consistent across tyre sizes with 69 dB.
Alpin 7 Label Ratings
The Michelin Alpin 7 boasts fuel efficiency ratings from B to D.
The wet grip ratings for this Michelin winter tyre, same as the Alpin 6, are consistently rated B across all tyre sizes.
Noise levels for the Alpin 7 range between 69B and 71B.
Alpin 6 Awards
The Michelin Alpin 6 has gathered various awards and recognitions from industry experts since its release in 2018.
In 2021, the Alpin 6 was named 2nd amongst the ‘Best 15 Winter Tyres’ list constructed by WhatTyre, only just missing out to the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005.
A year later, the 2022 Tyre Seeker saw the Alpin 6 be ‘recommended’ as a top winter tyre, only behind the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 and Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 that were the winner and ‘highly recommended’ respectively.
Furthermore, the Michelin winter tyre model was labelled with a ‘Good’ rating by ADACC in a comparative test of 16 225/45 R17 winter tyres and 16 205/60 R16 winter tyres.
Overall, the Alpin 6’s success in both tyre tests and receiving awards is reflective of the quality and reliability of the winter tyre model.
Alpin 7 Awards
As the Alpin 7 has just been released, the brand new winter tyre model has not received any comparative test success or awards.
However, due to the sheer innovation and quality the tyre promises, we are sure many will be heading the Alpin 7’s way in the coming years.
Alpin 6 Customer Reviews
Our customer reviews system is powered by DriverReviews, where customers are given the opportunity to review their previously purchased tyre model.
Customers are given 4 categories to review their tyre from.
customers have reviewed the Alpin 6 as follows:
Alpin 7 Customer Reviews
customers have reviewed the Alpin 7 as follows:
Which vehicles are the Michelin Alpin 7 and Alpin 6 designed for?
Both tyres have been developed for passenger cars that regularly encounter cold temperatures, wet roads and snowy winter conditions.
Michelin develops its tyres to deliver dependable performance throughout their usable life, not just when they are new. Advanced tread compounds, evolving tread patterns and innovative construction technologies help maintain grip, braking performance and handling as the tyre wears.
This philosophy of long-lasting safety is applied across Michelin's tyre range, including its winter tyres, helping drivers remain confident throughout multiple winter seasons.
Price Difference Between Michelin Alpin 6 vs Alpin 7
Fully fitted prices for the Michelin Alpin 6 range from £
to £
.
Fully fitted prices for the Michelin Alpin 7 range from £
to £
.
Should you buy the Michelin Alpin 6 or Alpin 7?
Both tyres are excellent premium winter tyres, but the Michelin Alpin 7 is the recommended choice for most drivers.
Building on the success of the Alpin 6, the latest generation introduces improvements in snow braking, traction and energy efficiency while maintaining the excellent longevity and winter confidence that have made the Alpin range so popular. Michelin also designed the Alpin 7 to suit petrol, hybrid and electric vehicles, making it a versatile option for modern drivers.
The Michelin Alpin 6 remains an excellent choice if you're replacing an existing set or maintaining the original equipment specification.
However, if both tyres are available in your required size, the Alpin 7 represents Michelin's latest winter tyre technology and is the stronger overall choice.
Where can I buy Michelin Alpin 7 or Alpin 6?
You can buy both the Michelin Alpin 7 and Michelin Alpin 6 directly from Blackcircles.com. Simply enter your vehicle registration or tyre size to compare available options, view fully fitted prices and book fitting at one of thousands of trusted local garages across the UK.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I replace Michelin Alpin 6 tyres with Alpin 7?
Yes. In most cases, the Michelin Alpin 7 is the natural replacement for the Alpin 6, provided it is available in the correct size, load index and speed rating for your vehicle. Upgrading allows drivers to benefit from Michelin's latest developments in winter grip, snow braking and energy efficiency while maintaining the dependable performance expected from the Alpin range.
What improvements does the Michelin Alpin 7 offer over the Alpin 6?
The Michelin Alpin 7 introduces a new tread design, an updated winter compound and progressive sipes that help maintain grip as the tyre wears. Michelin states it delivers improved braking on snow and lower rolling resistance compared with the Alpin 6, making it its most advanced touring winter tyre to date.
Is the Michelin Alpin 7 suitable for electric vehicles?
Yes. Michelin developed the Alpin 7 for petrol, hybrid and electric vehicles. Its reduced rolling resistance helps improve efficiency while maintaining the strong winter traction and braking performance required for cold-weather driving.
Are Michelin Alpin tyres suitable for UK winters?
Yes. Michelin Alpin tyres are well suited to drivers who regularly experience cold temperatures, frost, snow or icy roads during winter. They use winter-specific rubber compounds that remain flexible in low temperatures, helping maintain grip and braking performance when summer tyres become less effective.
Can I replace only two winter tyres instead of all four?
In many cases you can replace two winter tyres rather than all four, provided the remaining tyres are in good condition and meet the legal tread depth requirements. Replacement tyres should normally be fitted as matching pairs on the same axle to maintain balanced handling and braking performance.
Are Michelin winter tyres fitted as original equipment?
Yes. Michelin supplies winter tyres to a number of premium vehicle manufacturers across Europe. These partnerships reflect Michelin's reputation for winter safety, engineering quality and consistent cold-weather performance.
How long do Michelin Alpin tyres typically last?
Tyre lifespan depends on driving style, winter conditions, mileage and maintenance. Michelin designs the Alpin range to provide long-lasting performance throughout multiple winter seasons while maintaining dependable grip and braking as the tyres wear.
Are Michelin Alpin tyres good in wet winter weather?
Yes. In addition to their snow performance, Michelin Alpin tyres are designed to provide excellent grip and braking on cold, wet roads. Their directional tread patterns and winter compounds help disperse water efficiently while maintaining control in challenging weather.
Are Michelin winter tyres worth the higher purchase price?
Many drivers consider Michelin winter tyres to offer excellent long-term value thanks to their combination of winter safety, durability and consistent performance. Their premium engineering and long tread life can help offset the higher initial purchase cost over several winter seasons.
Should I upgrade from Michelin Alpin 6 to Alpin 7?
If your vehicle is compatible, upgrading to the Michelin Alpin 7 is worthwhile. It builds on the Alpin 6 with improved snow braking, enhanced winter traction and greater efficiency, making it Michelin's most advanced touring winter tyre for drivers who regularly encounter cold, wet and snowy conditions.
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