Vredestein Ultrac review
The Vredestein Ultrac takes third with great scores across almost every category
Dutch tyre maker Vredestein has been busy during the pandemic launching a series of new designs, and the Ultrac arrived early this year. It’s arrival also marked Vredestein’s return to our summer tyre test, after an absence of some years.
This result shows that its R&D centre hasn’t been wasting its time, with the tyre showing improvements both in the wet and dry over its predecessor. The performance is pretty well balanced between the two surfaces, with a great win in wet handling.
The Ultrac and the Hankook were a step ahead of the competition around the handling track, and from behind the wheel it was no surprise that the Vredestein took the win, because it gripped where others just skated across the soaked surface. Front grip was impressive, and was matched by a stable rear that gave the car a great balance through turns. The result was carried across to cornering and braking, plus it earned decent results in the deep-water aquaplaning tests. In the wet it was third best overall behind our top two.
The Ultrac didn’t feel quite so alert in the dry, but still had a precise steering response and limited understeer when accelerating. The only real downside to the Ultrac’s performance is fuel economy.
We say...
An impressive debut for the new Ultrac. This former winner is making a comeback after some indifferent results in recent tests.
Blackcircles.com says…
This isn’t a big-seller, but customers who do buy are happy with the tyre. They have left reviews that highlight the Vredestein’s longevity.
Figures
Vredestein Ultrac | ||
Overall: | 99.40% | |
Price: | £78.41 | 3rd |
Wet handling: | 100% | 1st |
Wet braking: | 89.60% | 4th |
Wet cornering: | 97.60% | 5th |
Straight aquaplaning: | 96.90% | 4th |
Curved aquaplaning: | 97.00% | 4th |
Dry handling: | 99.80% | 3rd |
Dry braking: | 97.70% | 3rd |
Rolling resistance: | 67.80% | 8th |
Cabin noise: | 99.20% | 4th |