As we headed out to Complexe ICAR outdoors of Montreal, Canada, it was -5 levels. I felt just like the Keep Puft Marshmallow Man in my fur-lined pants and puffy parka, however nothing was going to face in my approach of driving Alfa Romeos on ice. Even when it meant my eyelashes would freeze collectively when stepping outdoors the automobile.
Ice Driving: Alfa Romeo and Blizzak
Why we have been there
The Alfa Romeo Tonale will get some design adjustments for the 2026 mannequin 12 months, and Bridgestone is introducing the Blizzak IcePeak, an all-new winter tire. Then, for giggles, we acquired to drive the Stelvio and Giulia outfitted in Blizzak 6 winter tires, getting a peek at what makes each tires so good.
What’s new on the Tonale
Maybe the largest change you’ll see on the 2026 Alfa Romeo Tonale is to the nostril. The entrance fascia has been restyled, and there’s a new concave “scudetto” grille. Structural adjustments embrace a barely wider observe and shortened entrance overhang. Different adjustments embrace a purple leather-based inside possibility in addition to three new colours: Rosso Brera, Verde Monza, and Giallo Ocra.
The plug-in hybrid has been dropped for 2026, so the one powertrain is the turbocharged 2.0-liter, inline four-cylinder engine that delivers 268 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. All-wheel drive is normal.
We solely had time with the brand new Tonale in short spurts and on ice, however the normal sense is that it stays a cushty automobile, and the inside appears a bit quieter.
What’s the take care of Blizzak IcePeak winter tires?
Whereas Alfa Romeo wished to offer us a sneak peek on the new Tonale, the second a part of the drive was to introduce us to the brand new Bridgestone Blizzak IcePeak tire. This turns into the brand new flagship winter tire for the model, and it options Enliten know-how in addition to 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake and Ice Grip certifications. Translated into plain English, these tires get extra grip for higher stopping skill, stay pliable in sub-freezing temperatures, and last more.
The IcePeak will change the Blizzak WS90 and Blizzak DM-V2 tires, and they are often fitted on sedans, minivans, CUVs, SUVs and vehicles (a.okay.a. all of the issues).
As Bridgestone factors out in its press launch, the important thing advantages of the Blizzak IcePeak tires are:
- Enhanced stopping energy on ice due to MultiCell know-how and interlocking sipes.
- Higher skill to claw by means of snow, which minimizes tire spin.
- Lengthy-lasting put on, which suggests you may get an additional season out of them.
- Ice Grip Certification, which suggests this tire carried out at the least 18% higher than a regular tire in an ice-braking check.
Do you really want winter tires?
We’ve had quite a few friends on the Automotive Stuff Podcast speaking about winter tires, and after we ask this query, the reply is all the time: Sure, in case you dwell in a local weather that has winter. Winter tires have completely different compounds in them that permit them to remain pliable and grippy in chilly temperatures. So, in case you dwell within the Northeast or Midwest, the place temperatures frequently dip beneath 40 levels from December by means of March and April, winter tires are price it.
In locations like Quebec, which is the province the place Montreal is situated, it’s required by regulation to place winter tires in your automobile beginning December 1.
Whereas some will make the argument that they’re too costly, we’ll concede that the unique outlay for 2 units of tires is so much . However when you think about it’s a must to purchase new tires each 4 years or so, in case you add winter tires into the combination, you’ll solely want new tires each eight to 10 years.
So, how’d the Blizzaks do?
My first a number of laps on the ice at ICAR have been performed within the Blizzak 6 tires, first on the Stelvio after which within the Giulia. These tires are bred for snow efficiency. You’ve acquired high-density sipes for winter traction in addition to a directional tread sample for a good contact footprint. Each of these issues helped the Stelvio and Giulia get higher grip on the ice but in addition allowed for a bit of drifting into the corners. Each automobiles are outfitted with a 280-horsepower inline four-cylinder turbocharged engine, and the fashions we have been testing each had all-wheel drive, which is normal on Stelvio and out there on Giulia.
General, I discovered the Blizzak 6 tires to be pliable on the ice in order that they might grip when grip could possibly be discovered. However they have been additionally slippy sufficient to have a bit of enjoyable within the corners. Acceleration, so long as I didn’t put my foot instantly and utterly to the ground, was easy and fast. Effectively, as fast as you could be on stable ice.
Once I converted to the Tonale with the Blizzak IcePeak tires, I used to be shocked. In a great way. The grip was exponentially higher, and I discovered that regardless that the Tonale was the least powered automobile on the ice, it ended up being the quickest–-off the road, by means of the corners, out of the corners, and so forth. It additionally had the most effective stopping skill. In actual fact, I had a tough time getting the Tonale to float into the corners as a result of the tires have been that good. In a second of frustration, I added extra juice with a harsher flip of the wheel, and I ended up doing a superbly choreographed 360 in the midst of the ice. When the automobile was performed with its tight circle, I used to be pointed within the right course of journey and continued on with solely a slight pause. It was genuinely spectacular.
Our take
Whereas we weren’t testing the Blizzak tires towards every other manufacturers, I’ve examined different tires on snow and ice earlier than, so I really feel assured in saying these are good winter tires. You’ll be able to’t go flawed with the Blizzak 6 or IcePeak choices, and it actually depends upon the way you drive and what you’re searching for in a winter tire.
For my cash, nevertheless, if I have been placing winter tires on our automotive, which I’ve been making an attempt to speak my husband into for years, I’d go for the IcePeaks for the sheer security and total maneuverability facet. Folks drive foolish in snow, and I would like to have the ability to get out of their approach as rapidly and easily as attainable. I believe IcePeaks would try this.
The Blizzak 6 tires (beginning at $240.99 per tire) are already on sale, and the IcePeaks (pricing not but out there) will probably be out there beginning in Could 2026.
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