Michelin Alpin 6 vs Michelin Alpin 7: After years of anticipation, the Michelin Alpin 7 has finally arrived, ready to take on the Alpin 6 in the Middle European winter tire segment. Despite its strong reputation, the Alpin 6 has struggled in independent press tests, securing only two wins out of thirty over the years. Now, the Alpin 7 brings key improvements—better snow braking, enhanced grip, and reduced rolling resistance—all designed to tackle winter roads more effectively. With its fresh innovations, can the Alpin 7 finally deliver the winter performance Michelin has been striving for? Let’s find out!
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Results: Michelin Alpin 6 vs Michelin Alpin 7
Results below were taken from the Michelin’s Alpin 7 press release with a total of 2 tires tested. In the test data provided below, the Michelin’s Alpin 6 tire was set as a reference hence at the 100% mark.
It’s important to note that since the test results come directly from the manufacturer, they should be taken with a pinch of salt while we wait for independent tire tests. The tire size of interest is a 205/55 R16 which is a common tire size for Volvo V40. You can check out our latest tire size table for more information. The testing vehicle of choice is a VW Golf 8.
Snow
The Michelin Alpin 7 brings noticeable improvements over its predecessor, the Alpin 6, in key winter performance areas. In the tests, the Alpin 7 delivers 7% better snow braking and 2% better snow acceleration compared to the Alpin 6. These gains translate to shorter stopping distances and improved traction in challenging winter conditions. With these refinements, Michelin aims to set a new benchmark in the Middle European winter tire segment.
Alpin 7 :
- +7% for snow braking
- +2% for snow acceleration
Rolling Resistance
The Michelin Alpin 7 not only improves winter grip but also brings a notable reduction in rolling resistance. Compared to the Alpin 6, the Alpin 7 achieves an 11% improvement, lowering rolling resistance from 8.24 N/kN to 7.44 N/kN. This means improved fuel efficiency for combustion and hybrid vehicles, as well as extended range for EVs.
Alpin 7 :
- +11% for rolling resistance
EU Label
The Michelin Alpin 7 brings some unexpected changes to its EU label rating compared to the Alpin 6, revealing a couple of interesting insights.
- Rolling Resistance Rating Mystery – Despite achieving a 7.44 N/kN rolling resistance coefficient, which technically qualifies for a B rating, Michelin has opted to keep the C rating instead. This raises questions—was this a strategic decision, or did other factors like wear or compound durability influence the choice?
- Increased Noise Levels – The Alpin 7 sees a +2 dB increase in external noise, moving from 69 dB (A) to 71 dB (B) on the EU label. This could indicate changes in the tread pattern or sipe design, possibly prioritizing snow and wet performance at the cost of slightly higher road noise.
With these trade-offs, has Michelin found the perfect balance, or does the Alpin 7 come with compromises? Let’s wait for more independent test results for verification.
EU label for 205/55R16 :
| Brand | Tireline | RR | Wet | Noise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michelin | Alpin 6 | C | B | A (69dB) |
| Michelin | Alpin 7 | C | B | B (71dB) |
Price
Expect no price changes as the Alpin 7 seamlessly replaces the Alpin 6, maintaining Michelin’s positioning in the market.
Conclusion
As a tire expert, I can confidently say the Michelin Alpin 7 delivers meaningful improvements—better snow braking, improved acceleration, and lower rolling resistance—making it a solid upgrade over the Alpin 6. However, the +2 dB increase in noise raises some concerns about potential trade-offs in comfort, and Michelin’s decision to stick with a C rating for rolling resistance despite achieving B-worthy results is puzzling.
Dr Edwin Pang