Vredestein Ultrac Cento
Sole directional tread on test put in a strong performance
Only Vredestein has stuck with the once popular directional tread pattern as rivals have moved to asymmetric designs. But the Cento still features solid, wide central ribs – this allows for big tread blocks on the outside, for steering stability and response, with water-shifting channels on the inner section.
Wet road grip was always the strong point of a directional pattern, and the tyre thrived in the aquaplaning tests and on the handling track. This was supported by the cornering result, but it struggled in wet braking, needing close to four metres more to stop than the winner. So overall in the wet, it was a close second to the Pirelli.
In the dry, it suffered more than the P Zero, finishing ninth on the handling circuit, where it lacked grip and balance. It also disappointed in dry braking, finishing eighth – more than a metre off the winning Continental – and trailed in the noise test. Still, Vredestein has made big steps in reducing rolling resistance in recent years.
Our verdict
Proof that an asymmetric tread is not essential for good performance.
| On test… | Score | Ranking |
| Wet braking | 86.7% | 7th |
| Wet handling | 98.9 | 2nd |
| Wet cornering | 99.2% | 2nd |
| Straight aquaplaning | 100% | 1st |
| Curved aquaplaning | 87.5% | 2nd |
| Dry braking | 93.7% | 8th |
| Dry handling | 98.5% | 9th |
| Rolling resistance | 95.7% | 3rd |
| Cabin noise | 98.6% | =7th |
| Overall | 99.2% | 4th |
Contact
Vredestein: http://www.vredestein.co.uk/
