The CrossClimate tyres combine summer and winter tyre technologies to bring the same levels of grip, road holding, energy efficiency and durability expected of a Michelin summer tyre, while maintaining winter performance comparable to a Michelin winter tyre.
At the blue light fleet event, held at the MIRA proving ground in Warwickshire, attendees tested the tyres in dry, wet and simulated ice conditions, using a special ceramic-tiled road surface.
After testing CrossClimate tyres back-to-back with a premium competitor’s summer tyres on various MIRA handling circuits, John Heussi, head of fleet services at cheshire police, said: “The difference in grip between CrossClimate tyres and the competitor’s summer tyres was much greater than I thought it would be; the CrossClimate’s ability to perform in all weather conditions is of huge interest.
“Combining year-round mobility in a product where the total cost of ownership is good, and tyre life is increased, is the perfect position for us.”
Scott Roberts, fleet manager at Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, added: “Performing back-to-back comparisons between the CrossClimate tyres and a competitor’s summer fitments was eye-opening.
“Fitting CrossClimate tyres could enable us to run a single tread pattern on our light vehicles year-round, meaning an end to swapping between summer and winter tyres. In some of our far reaching rural locations we have to bring vehicles in from up to 100 miles away just to change the tyres. There would be a significant cost saving in the logistics alone, and that’s before we look at the CrossClimate’s increased longevity.”
CrossClimate tyres are available in 23 sizes ranging from 15 to 17 inches, covering approximately 70% of cars and car-derived vans sold in Europe. Additional sizes spanning the 15 to 17 inch spectrum, plus new sizes at 14 and 18 inches, are expected in 2016. Michelin is also planning the first SUV product in the CrossClimate range.
