GET SET FOR COLD SNAP WITH NEW WINTER TYRE
ALTHOUGH Britain and much of Europe have been sweltering through a blazing hot summer, Dutch brand Vredestein is getting us ready for the cold months of the year with its new Wintrac Pro ultrahigh-performance (UHP) winter tyre.
The company, owned by Indian firm Apollo, has focused on improved grip in the snow and wet with this latest product. Compared with the outgoing Wintrac xtreme S, which has been around since 2013, the Pro promises 15 per cent better snow handling and a 10 per cent step up in wet braking.
Many of the sizes are also available with a Y speed rating, making them good for up to 186mph. This is key, because the new 35-strong range covers 17 to 21-inch rims and profiles as low as 35. In the crucial EU tyre labels, the tyre achieves ratings of B for wet grip (A is the best), and a mix of C and E for fuel economy.
While there is a new construction for the Pro, Vredestein says the biggest innovation has been in the compound, with ‘unique’ use of resins with silica to improve grip in the snow and wet. In the tread, central grooves and shoulder sipes maximise snow handling. Central horizontal sipes enhance braking and traction. A long, oval footprint assists water evacuation from under the tyre, to give good wet-steering response.
This initial line-up is tailored to suit popular models in the UHP sector, like the BMW 5 Series, Mercedes C-class and Audi A6, but the range will grow to 100 sizes.
“Tyre’s ‘unique’ use of resins with silica helps improve snow and wet grip”