Michelin declares war on winter

Scores of consumers insist on getting the best snow tire in the world, especially when the first snows begin to fall and the roads become covered in ice. To meet that desire, Michelin has released its X-Ice Xi2, which replaces the X-Ice. To test its new model, Michelin invited journalists to the Mcaglisse Test Track, located in Notre-Dame-de-la-Merci in the Laurentian Mountains, where the X-Ice Xi2 was pitted against Bridgestone, Goodyear and Nokian Hakkapeliitta models.

What do buyers want? Maximum grip, for starters. Less spinning and sliding, plus short and effortless braking, are also high on the wish list of clients surveyed by Michelin. Most of them would also like a tire that lasts longer and that keeps its qualities for at least two winters.

Normand Latrmouille, specialist of the winter segment at Michelin North America (Canada), states the X-Ice Xi2 will keep its promises. “The first X-Ice had already established high standards in terms of confidence and safety, be it on ice, on snow or in the slush, or on a dry or wet pavement in winter, but the Xi2 sets the standards even higher,” he says. “The X-Ice Xi2 also lasts 75 per cent longer than its leading competitor.”

How did Michelin achieve all of that? First is using blocks of tread that are flexible enough to break the water film while at the same time sucking the water up and storing it in micro-pumps which allows the tire’s sipes to work on a dry surface. Moreover, the silica-based compound used in the treads offers improved performance under braking.

The X-Ice Xi2 was put to the test on the Notre-Dame-de-la-Merci circuit. I must say that I am a devoted fan of Hakkapeliitta tires from Nokia and I thought that Michelin was quite bold in comparing its new model to Hakkapeliitta. But after the few tests I made on that day, I couldn’t tell which brand of tire was which.

It should be noted that the road testers were given ‘fully equipped’ test cars, including ABS and T/C, which made it impossible to spin or slide for any length. Thus, it was fairly hard to practice risky maneuvers which could have revealed a few things about tire behaviour. One thing is for sure, there now are two kinds of snow tires: those of yesterday and those which have been recently developed by major brands. In short, the newer technologies offer real improvements over older designs, and the small logo with the snow flake caught in a mountain is no longer sufficient to separate the real winter tires from the ‘also-rans’ of yesteryear. To sum it up, on hard snow as well as on ice, on acceleration as well as in slides, the X-Ice Xi-2 is a highly commendable tire.

Michelin will offer the X-Ice Xi2 in 42 sizes within the T speed range. They will fit 13-inch to 18-inch rims, which is enough to accommodate more than 90 per cent of the Canadian market of cars and mini-vans.