- Ultrac secures first place overall, building on a third-place finish in 2023
- The Vredestein summer tyre is praised in particular for its “impressive wet weather performance, great economy and superb refinement”
- Significant improvements in rolling resistance demonstrate the success of ongoing
in-house development
The Vredestein Ultrac has secured first place in the latest group test of summer tyres conducted by leading UK motoring publication Auto Express. Manufactured by Apollo Tyres, the Ultrac outperformed seven leading competitors from major brands including Pirelli, Continental, Michelin and Goodyear, with the testers saying the tyre “combines impressive wet weather performance with great economy and superb refinement. A worthy winner.”
The tyres were subjected to 10 separate tests, with the Ultrac performing particularly well in the wet handling and braking assessments, and for its low cabin noise and low rolling resistance. It was also the second most affordable tyre in the lineup, helping it secure ‘Best Buy’ status.
Auto Express evaluated eight of the top-selling summer tyres in Europe, focusing on the popular 225/45 R17 size. All tyres were tested on a Volkswagen Golf at a state-of-the-art proving ground in Montpellier, France. To ensure precision, each test was conducted multiple times, with scores averaged for accuracy.
“Refined, economical and very able” Vredestein Ultrac triumphs in Auto Express summer tyre test
The Ultrac claimed the top spot for cabin noise and refinement, excelling in the newly enhanced Auto Express ‘noise and refinement’ test, which now includes evaluation of noise levels and bump absorption across varied surfaces. The Vredestein tyre was placed second for braking performance in the wet, nearly matching the top-performing tyre when stopping from 50 mph. It also achieved the second fastest lap time in the wet-cornering test, navigating a 35m circle with 1mm of water; and secured second place in the wet handling test on a specially designed one-mile circuit with 8mm of water.
One of the Ultrac’s most notable advancements since last year’s Auto Express group test was in its rolling resistance, where it climbed to second place and delivered far greater fuel efficiency.
Auto Express testers highlighted the Ultrac’s ongoing development, stating: “the Ultrac has added low rolling resistance to its skill set and emerges victorious from an excellent top three, thanks to its blend of wet weather performance, refinement and new-found economy.”
Yves Pouliquen, VP Commercial at Apollo Tyres, commented: “This is a highly respected independent test, and the Ultrac’s exceptional performance is a direct consequence of the ongoing efforts made by our European R&D team to stay at the forefront of a highly competitive summer tyre market.”
The Ultrac sets the standard for performance in both wet and dry conditions, making it the ideal choice for a summer tyre. Engineered by the Apollo Tyres global R&D centre in Enschede, Netherlands, the Ultrac range offers exceptional comfort, precise handling, and confident cornering, even at high speeds.
15 August 2024
Anicecommunication, media relations Apollo Tyres – Vredestein Italy
