Michelin Japan to sequentially launch new studless tire "MICHELIN X-ICE SNOW+" from X-ICE series starting August
Michelin Japan will sequentially launch "MICHELIN X-ICE SNOW+", a new studless tire that combines high grip performance on ice and snow with stable and comfortable driving on dry and wet roads, starting August 1. It achieves a 7.3% improvement in wet braking performance, a 25% improvement in wear resistance, and a 5.6% reduction in rolling resistance, enhancing both environmental performance and safety.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 12, 2026 at 23:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 12, 2026 at 14:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 12, 2026 at 15:05 (33 min after Collected)
Michelin Japan, a Japanese subsidiary of Michelin whose corporate vision is "all sustainable," (Headquarters: Ota City, Gunma Prefecture; Representative Director and President: Gen Sudo) will sequentially launch the studless tire "MICHELIN X-ICE SNOW+" (Michelin X-Ice Snow Plus), which boasts the best environmental performance in X-ICE history, offering long-lasting peace of mind on all winter roads, including ice and snow. The tire will be available in 97 sizes, ranging from 16 to 22 inches, starting August 1. The price is open.
"MICHELIN X-ICE SNOW+" is a studless tire that maintains high grip performance on icy and snowy roads while also considering driving stability and comfort on dry and wet road surfaces, which has traditionally been difficult to achieve simultaneously. In particular, wet braking performance has significantly improved by approximately 7.3% (Note 1) compared to the previous model, providing drivers with stable peace of mind in various winter road conditions. Furthermore, wear resistance has improved by approximately 25% (Note 2), and rolling resistance has been reduced by approximately 5.6% (Note 3). In addition to fuel efficiency, its design ensures that performance does not degrade significantly even after wear, allowing for safe use from initial installation to the wear limit.
"MICHELIN X-ICE SNOW+" is compatible with a wide range of vehicles, including gasoline cars, hybrid cars, and EVs. It offers a lineup of sizes suitable for various vehicle types such as minivans and SUVs.
Note (1) [Test Conditions] 〇Tire size 205/60 R16 96H XL (X-ICE SNOW+), 205/60 R16 96H XL (X-ICE SNOW) 〇Test air pressure 240kPa 〇Test load 1 person + measuring equipment 〇Test rim width 6.5J 〇Test vehicle name Toyota Noah Front-wheel drive 〇Test site GKN Driveline Proving Ground 〇Test method Braking distance from 80km/h to complete stop measured 〇Braking distance MICHELIN X-ICE SNOW+ 40.8m, MICHELIN X-ICE SNOW 44.0m, 〇Detailed test conditions and results have been submitted to the Japan Fair Trade Council for Tires. Test results are test values only and are not universal.
Note (2) [Test Conditions] 〇Tire size 205/55R16 94H XL (X-ICE SNOW+), 205/55R16 94H XL (X-ICE SNOW) 〇Test air pressure 220kPa 〇Test load 1585 kg (vehicle) 〇Test rim width 7.0J 〇Test vehicle name Toyota Corolla Front-wheel drive 〇Test site CATARC Tire Wear Test Route (public road) 〇Test method Parallel running by two test vehicles 〇Driving distance 21,284km 〇Detailed test conditions and results have been submitted to the Japan Fair Trade Council for Tires. Test results are test values only and are not universal.
Note (3) [Test Conditions] 〇Tire size 205/60R16 96H XL 〇Test air pressure 250kPa 〇Test load 568 kgf 〇Test rim width 6.0J 〇Test speed 80 km/h 〇Test method Force method 〇Test location Our in-house testing machine (Ota City, Gunma Prefecture) 〇Test results X-ICE SNOW+ : 7.65N/kN, X-ICE SNOW : 8.11 N/kN 〇Detailed test conditions and results have been submitted to the Japan Fair Trade Council for Tires. Test results are test values only and are not universal.
[Product Features]
Wet performance improved by approximately 7.3% while maintaining ice and snow performance.
Achieves approximately 25% longer wear resistance.
Rolling resistance reduced by approximately 5.6%. Contributes to CO2 emission reduction and improved fuel efficiency and cruising range.
[Product Performance Comparison Image]
*Image is for illustration purposes.
[Adopted Technologies]
"Flex-Ice 3.0 Tread Compound Technology"
■Improved wet and fuel efficiency performance while maintaining winter safety.
*Image is for illustration purposes.
This innovative compound maintains flexibility even at extremely low temperatures, providing firm grip on icy and snowy roads.
It also significantly improves grip on dry and wet roads, which conventional studless tires struggle with.
Furthermore, it reduces rolling resistance, contributing to fuel efficiency.
Its flexibility lasts for a longer season, delivering peace of mind from the first kilometer to the last.
"Maxtouch Construction"
■Usable for a longer season.
*Image is for illustration purposes.
Optimization of the internal structure achieves a more uniform contact pressure distribution on the tread surface.
This stabilizes the contact patch during acceleration, braking, and cornering, suppressing uneven wear. High long-life performance.
"MICHELIN X-ICE SNOW+" is a studless tire that maintains high grip performance on icy and snowy roads while also considering driving stability and comfort on dry and wet road surfaces, which has traditionally been difficult to achieve simultaneously. In particular, wet braking performance has significantly improved by approximately 7.3% (Note 1) compared to the previous model, providing drivers with stable peace of mind in various winter road conditions. Furthermore, wear resistance has improved by approximately 25% (Note 2), and rolling resistance has been reduced by approximately 5.6% (Note 3). In addition to fuel efficiency, its design ensures that performance does not degrade significantly even after wear, allowing for safe use from initial installation to the wear limit.
"MICHELIN X-ICE SNOW+" is compatible with a wide range of vehicles, including gasoline cars, hybrid cars, and EVs. It offers a lineup of sizes suitable for various vehicle types such as minivans and SUVs.
Note (1) [Test Conditions] 〇Tire size 205/60 R16 96H XL (X-ICE SNOW+), 205/60 R16 96H XL (X-ICE SNOW) 〇Test air pressure 240kPa 〇Test load 1 person + measuring equipment 〇Test rim width 6.5J 〇Test vehicle name Toyota Noah Front-wheel drive 〇Test site GKN Driveline Proving Ground 〇Test method Braking distance from 80km/h to complete stop measured 〇Braking distance MICHELIN X-ICE SNOW+ 40.8m, MICHELIN X-ICE SNOW 44.0m, 〇Detailed test conditions and results have been submitted to the Japan Fair Trade Council for Tires. Test results are test values only and are not universal.
Note (2) [Test Conditions] 〇Tire size 205/55R16 94H XL (X-ICE SNOW+), 205/55R16 94H XL (X-ICE SNOW) 〇Test air pressure 220kPa 〇Test load 1585 kg (vehicle) 〇Test rim width 7.0J 〇Test vehicle name Toyota Corolla Front-wheel drive 〇Test site CATARC Tire Wear Test Route (public road) 〇Test method Parallel running by two test vehicles 〇Driving distance 21,284km 〇Detailed test conditions and results have been submitted to the Japan Fair Trade Council for Tires. Test results are test values only and are not universal.
Note (3) [Test Conditions] 〇Tire size 205/60R16 96H XL 〇Test air pressure 250kPa 〇Test load 568 kgf 〇Test rim width 6.0J 〇Test speed 80 km/h 〇Test method Force method 〇Test location Our in-house testing machine (Ota City, Gunma Prefecture) 〇Test results X-ICE SNOW+ : 7.65N/kN, X-ICE SNOW : 8.11 N/kN 〇Detailed test conditions and results have been submitted to the Japan Fair Trade Council for Tires. Test results are test values only and are not universal.
[Product Features]
Wet performance improved by approximately 7.3% while maintaining ice and snow performance.
Achieves approximately 25% longer wear resistance.
Rolling resistance reduced by approximately 5.6%. Contributes to CO2 emission reduction and improved fuel efficiency and cruising range.
[Product Performance Comparison Image]
*Image is for illustration purposes.
[Adopted Technologies]
"Flex-Ice 3.0 Tread Compound Technology"
■Improved wet and fuel efficiency performance while maintaining winter safety.
*Image is for illustration purposes.
This innovative compound maintains flexibility even at extremely low temperatures, providing firm grip on icy and snowy roads.
It also significantly improves grip on dry and wet roads, which conventional studless tires struggle with.
Furthermore, it reduces rolling resistance, contributing to fuel efficiency.
Its flexibility lasts for a longer season, delivering peace of mind from the first kilometer to the last.
"Maxtouch Construction"
■Usable for a longer season.
*Image is for illustration purposes.
Optimization of the internal structure achieves a more uniform contact pressure distribution on the tread surface.
This stabilizes the contact patch during acceleration, braking, and cornering, suppressing uneven wear. High long-life performance.