As a cold weather front prepares to sweep across the UK and Ireland, Which? has undertaken its annual test of winter tyres and the Michelin Alpin A4 has again been highlighted as a ‘Best Buy’ in both the 14 and 16 inch sizes tested.

The 165/70 R 14 Alpin A4 was described by Which? testers as: ‘The highest-scoring 14in winter tyre in our test. Best for handling and stability on dry roads and stopped in the shortest distance when braking on ice. Good fuel economy and a projected lifespan of 47,000 miles makes it easily the most hard-wearing tyre on test.’

Which? testers’ comments on the 205/60 R 16 Alpin A4 included: ‘Very good grip on all surfaces – dry, wet, snow and ice – and best overall on dry roads. The most hard-wearing 16in tyre tested with a projected lifespan of 33,000 miles.’

Malcolm Scovell, Commercial Director at Michelin, said: “The publication of this test, just ahead of the introduction of tyre labelling on 1 November, will hopefully help continue to raise awareness of the safety and mobility benefits of fitting cold weather tyres during the winter months.

“There has been increasing interest from consumers in cold weather tyres over the past few years but the market here is still very reactive – waiting until there is snow on the ground before rushing out to try and find tyres. Unfortunately, this is in sharp contrast to motorists on the Continent who routinely change their tyres at this time of year.”

Michelin recommends that drivers fit cold weather tyres in the UK and Ireland during the winter months from October to March. In many European countries it is a legal requirement to change to cold weather tyres during this period, so it’s worth ordering them early to avoid getting stuck if the weather takes a turn for the worst.

Scovell added: “An interesting point highlighted by the Which? test is the total performance levels offered by our tyres. They provide high levels of safety and peace of mind in winter driving conditions while excelling in environmental areas like tyre life and fuel economy.”

Michelin offers a range of cold weather tyres to suit all types of vehicles. The Michelin Alpin A4 is for city cars, MPVs and family cars, the Michelin Pilot Alpin is for high performance cars and sports vehicles, the Michelin Latitude Alpin is available for SUVs and 4X4s, and the Michelin Agilis Alpin for vans.

For more information about Michelin’s full range of tyres please go to: http://www.michelin.co.uk/tyres/