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Michelin Alpin 6 review

A well deserved second podium for the French producer, although the gap over the following three tyres is tiny. 

Michelin’s current mission is for tyres to be used down to the legal limit, and the Alpin 6 has grooves that widen and emerge as the tread wears. We tested in as-new condition, but it still proved most effective in the wet, as we saw last year in 17-inch form. It finished third, a step behind our top two here, but clearly ahead of the rest. It felt good, too, with a sharpness others lacked and good grip that lasted well as the lock increased. 

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That sharp, grippy front was matched by a well controlled rear. It was best in the shallower water tests, and was near the best in aquaplaning. The Alpin 6 combined that wet grip with good fuel economy – no mean feat when these are conflicting targets. It was at the head of the chasing pack behind the freakish Nokian. 

Dry performance was close to the best, but it was less assured on snow, where it was fifth across the tests. The slight lack of grip could be felt behind the wheel, although it was well balanced.

We say: Yet another good result for the Alpin 6, which is well suited to UK winters thanks to its good performance in the wet.

Blackcircles.Com says: A fairly new model to the market, having only been launched at the end of 2018. Early reviews have been impressive, though, with customers giving an overall score of 4.5/5.

Overall98.4% 
Snow braking95.20%3rd
Snow traction98.10%5th
Snow handling98.60%5th
Straight aquaplaning92.9%6th
Curved aquaplaning93.20%5th
Wet braking97.4%3rd
Wet handling99.2%3rd
Wet circle98.80%3rd
Dry braking96.20%Equal 4th
Rolling resistance87.60%Equal 3rd
Cabin noise98.90%6th
Price£97.76 
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Products editor

Kim has worked for Auto Express for more than three decades and all but a year of that time in the Products section. His current role as products editor involves managing the section’s content and team of testers plus doing some of the tests himself. 

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