Michelin Alpin 6 vs Continental WinterContact TS 870 P: With the launch of the Michelin Alpin 7 in 2024, this marks the final press test battle for the Alpin 6, a tire that has held its ground since 2018. Facing off against the formidable Continental WinterContact TS 870 P, a consistent top performer in the middle European winter segment, this showdown promises to be a clash of titans in winter tire excellence.
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Results: Michelin Alpin 6 vs Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
Results below were taken from Auto Zeitung’s 2024 Winter Tire Test. A total of 10 tires were tested this time around with a mixture of middle European winter tires & all season tires. The graph below shows the comparison between Michelin Alpin 6 vs Continental WinterContact TS 870 P based on the relevant performance category. The Michelin Alpin 6 was set as a reference hence at the 100% mark.
The handling criteria’s are evaluated by lap times rather than the average lap time speed or subjective evaluation. The tire size of interest is a 215/55 R17 which is a common tire size for Hyundai Kona Electric & Honda HR-V. You can check out our latest tire size table for more information. The testing vehicle of choice is a Volkswagen Passat.
Wet
In wet braking, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P stops just 0.3 meters shorter than the Michelin Alpin 6, showcasing a marginal advantage. For wet handling, the TS 870 P completes the lap 1.9 seconds faster, highlighting its superior grip and agility. However, in straight aquaplaning, the Michelin Alpin 6 lags slightly, with a critical aquaplaning speed of 78.1 km/h compared to the TS 870 P’s 78.3 km/h, a minimal difference.
WinterContact TS 870 P :
- +1% in wet braking
- +2% in wet handling (lap time)
- ~0% in straight aquaplaning
Snow
In snow braking, the Michelin Alpin 6 stops 0.1 meters shorter than the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P, offering a slight edge. For snow traction, the Alpin 6 generates 3217 N of pulling force, outperforming the TS 870 P by 58 N, demonstrating better grip. In snow handling, the Alpin 6 is also faster, completing the course 1.6 seconds quicker than the TS 870 P, solidifying its advantage in snowy conditions.
WinterContact TS 870 P :
- ~0% in snow braking
- -2% in snow handling (lap time)
- -2% in snow traction
Dry
In dry braking, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P stops 1.7 meters shorter than the Michelin Alpin 6, showing a clear advantage. For dry handling, the TS 870 P completes the lap 1.2 seconds faster than the Alpin 6, demonstrating superior performance and control on dry surfaces.
WinterContact TS 870 P :
- +4% in dry braking
- +2% in dry handling (lap time)
Noise
The Continental WinterContact TS 870 P produces 0.7 dB less exterior noise than the Michelin Alpin 6, offering a quieter driving experience.
WinterContact TS 870 P :
- +1% in exterior noise (-0.7 dB)
Rolling Resistance
The Continental WinterContact TS 870 P has a significantly lower rolling resistance of 7.26 N/kN compared to the Michelin Alpin 6, which measures 8.14 N/kN, making the TS 870 P more efficient in fuel consumption.
WinterContact TS 870 P :
- +12% in Rolling Resistance.
Price
The Continental WinterContact TS 870 P is priced at €170, making it 6% cheaper than the Michelin Alpin 6, which costs €180 for the same 215/55 R17 size.
Tire size: 215/55 R17
- Alpin 6 : € 180
- WinterContact TS 870 P : € 170
Difference: -6% more cheaper for WinterContact TS 870 P
Summary
As a tire expert, it’s clear to me that the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P outperforms the Michelin Alpin 6 in most key metrics. While the two tires are evenly matched in snow braking, the TS 870 P loses slightly in snow traction and snow handling. However, its superior performance in wet and dry handling, rolling resistance, and quieter operation makes it the overall standout choice in this comparison.
Dr Edwin Pang