Like the models of the previous four generations, the Michelin Alpin A5 passenger tire is a winter tire with a whole range of reservations associated exclusively with our ideas about winter. They differ significantly from the climatic conditions in which people live in Western and Central Europe from October to April. Even during this period, snow and ice are very rare on most European roads, and it's mostly dry and wet asphalt. Therefore, as a winter tire, this model can only be used by car enthusiasts in the southern Russian regions. For many of them, it can become an optimal choice.
More efficient drainage system
Compared to the previous model, the Alpin A5 tread pattern has changed significantly. According to representatives of the French manufacturer, it differs by a 17% increased void ratio. In Russian, this means an increase in the volume of drainage grooves, of which there are more, and each of them has an increased internal volume.
It is also worth noting the configuration and location of the drainage grooves. They are distinguished by a curved shape, variable cross-section, and location at a significant angle relative to the direction of movement. All these design features are aimed at maximizing the speed of water and snow slush removal from the contact patch. Thanks to this, the tire demonstrates excellent resistance to aquaplaning and slushplaning.
"Gear effect"
When talking about drainage grooves, it's impossible not to mention that they pass between numerous tread blocks of a arrow-shaped form, which converge in the center of the tread. During movement, each of them forms a very long edge of adhesion. In combination with their transverse arrangement, this allows for a significant improvement in longitudinal traction-adhesion properties, especially on wet asphalt and snow.
At the same time, it's impossible not to mention the arrangement of tread blocks relative to each other in a checkerboard pattern. This scheme provides the so-called "gear effect", thanks to which adhesion on a slippery road becomes even more reliable and stable.
Excellent directional stability and low rolling resistance
All tread blocks converge in the center of the tread, forming a longitudinal rib that gives rigidity to the entire structure. This design provides the Michelin Alpin A5 tire with a number of important advantages, especially against the background of the widespread passion of Europeans for environmental conservation. Of course, we are talking about fuel efficiency and durability. The V-shaped design of the symmetrical directional tread pattern with converging blocks applied in this model is characterized by low rolling resistance (fuel efficiency) and optimized distribution of external pressure over the contact patch (resistance to uneven wear).
Another significant advantage of the central part of the tread design of this tire is good directional stability, as well as lightning-fast and accurate response to steering wheel turns. All in all, it significantly simplifies the process of driving a car.
Short braking distance on snow and wet asphalt
Another distinction of this model from the tire of the previous generation is the increased efficiency when braking (+ 5% on wet asphalt, + 3% on snow). In addition to the rubber compound, which will be discussed below, the design of the shoulder areas is also noteworthy. The blocks located here are distinguished by more massive sizes and a location almost at a right angle relative to the direction of movement.
During movement, they form a large number of edges of adhesion perpendicular to the direction of movement, which are most effective when accelerating or decelerating on slippery surfaces, such as snow or wet asphalt. Another advantage of such a design of the shoulder areas of the tread is increased stability when cornering and maneuvering.
Thousands of small "claws"
Like the previous model, this tire is equipped with a tread with lamellas. However, unlike it, there are 16% more of these miniature tread elements. At the same time, the impact of each of them on manageability and adhesion on a slippery road has been significantly increased thanks to the StabiliGrip technology. Due to it, the lamellas have learned to "work together" since they got the opportunity to close between themselves. This feature allowed to significantly increase the size of the contact patch, as well as the longitudinal traction-adhesion properties on wet asphalt and snow.
Helio Compound 4 rubber compound and Innovative Tread Compound technology
For the new Alpin 5, French tire manufacturers have developed a Helio Compound 4 rubber compound, which significantly surpasses the previous model in its physical properties. It was created using the Innovative Tread Compound technology, thanks to which functional elastomers appeared in the composition. Their use is due solely to the increase in the proportion of silica in the rubber compound. They made it possible to improve its homogeneity, while increasing adhesion to the road surface at low temperatures, i.e. on snow and wet asphalt.
Another innovation in the composition of the rubber compound is sunflower oil. This component performs several functions at once. The main one is to ensure elasticity at low temperatures. In addition, sunflower oil has improved the resistance of the tread to cracking, which has had a positive impact on the durability and reliability of the tire.
Main features of the Michelin Alpin A5 winter tire
- a new tread pattern with a V-shaped design provides excellent adhesion properties on wet asphalt and snow;
- a large number of drainage grooves with an increased internal volume and an original curved shape provide excellent resistance to aquaplaning and slushplaning;
- excellent longitudinal traction-adhesion properties on snow and ice due to a large number of tread blocks forming a large number of transverse and very long edges of adhesion;
- a rigid longitudinal rib in the center of the tread improves directional stability, fuel efficiency, and handling;
- thousands of additional edges of adhesion formed by numerous lamellas allow you to confidently move on slippery roads from rain and snow;
- the Helio Compound 4 rubber compound with increased silica content, functional elastomers, and sunflower oil is characterized by optimal elasticity in a wide temperature range, as well as giving the tread high tear resistance.
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