Michelin CrossClimate – a summer tyre with Winter rating

The Michelin CrossClimate tyre has been revealed as a summer tyre that is also certified for winter use, even where winter tyres are compulsory.

Winter tyres are the norm – and often a legal requirement – in European countries with harsh winters, but it’s only been in recent years that UK drivers have started to consider different tyres for winter. But that looks set to be a thing of the past, thanks to the new Michelin CrossClimate tyre.

Michelin claim the CrossClimate brakes in short distances on dry ground, has the top ‘A’ rating for wet braking and is fully approved for winter use, with the Three Peak Mountain Snow Flake (3PMSF) certification meaning it can be used in winter even in countries with a legal requirement for winter tyres.

The CrossClimate has a tread area that is extremely supple for better grip in all conditions, with a new material below the tread that reduces heat generation, there’s a new ‘V’ tread pattern with 3D interlocking sipes for better grip on snow and self-blocking 3D sipes that create a claw effect for additional grip.

Michelin say the CrossClimate improves stability  when braking and accelerating – and lateral force when cornering – so general dry weather performance is much improved, as well as winter grip.

The Michelin CrossClimate – which launches in May 2015 – sounds like the perfect tyre for most motorists (depending on price) and will initially be available in 23 different sizes from 15″-17″, with further sizes arriving in 2016.