Vredestein Tyres Review | Ultrac, Ultrac Vorti, Centauro ST & Centauro NS — How Good Are They?

Tyres are probably the most important and yet sometimes the most ignored component on a vehicle. They don't require much care or maintenance except in case of a puncture and this leads to most vehicle owners ignoring them for the most part.

Vredestein Ultrac, Ultrac Vorti, Centauro ST & Centauro NS Review: Grip Levels, Sizes, Compounds, Specs & Details

It is at this point that we must say, it doesn't matter how advanced or sophisticated your vehicle is if the tyres you are using are not up to the mark. Tyres are the sole point of contact between your vehicle and the road and hence it pays to have premium tyres on your car or motorcycle. This is where premium tyre brands like Vredestein come into the picture.

Vredestein Ultrac, Ultrac Vorti, Centauro ST & Centauro NS Review: Grip Levels, Sizes, Compounds, Specs & Details

Vredestein is a Dutch tyre brand with a lot of history and heritage and it recently launched a few of its tyres in the Indian market. We were invited to the Buddh International Circuit to check out these tyres and we were quite impressed. Read on to find out why!

Vredestein Ultrac, Ultrac Vorti, Centauro ST & Centauro NS Review: Grip Levels, Sizes, Compounds, Specs & Details

Vredestein Tyres - The Heritage Story

One can't really talk about Vredestein without talking about its history. The brand is more than 110 years old and has manufactured millions of tyres over time. Every big brand has humble beginnings, and so it is with Vredestein too.

It was in 1909 that the name Vredestein first appeared, a year after its founder Emile Louis Constant Schiff acquired the Guttapercha Company in the Netherlands. Shortly after, in 1910, the first Vredestein tyre was manufactured, albeit for bicycles. The bicycling scene is massive in the Netherlands, and Vredestein catered to this market.

Vredestein Ultrac, Ultrac Vorti, Centauro ST & Centauro NS Review: Grip Levels, Sizes, Compounds, Specs & Details

Just two years later, in 1912, the brand started producing tyres for passenger vehicles. Over several decades, Vredestein achieved several feats like manufacturing tyres for service in World War II, becoming one of the first to make tubless tyres, manufacturing the world cycling championship-winning tyre, producing the world's first steel-belted tyre, etc.

Quite simply then, Vredestein is a brand that knows its way around tyres and now we in INdia have access to their premium range of tyres.

Vredestein Ultrac, Ultrac Vorti, Centauro ST & Centauro NS Review: Grip Levels, Sizes, Compounds, Specs & Details

Vredestein India

In 2009, Gurugram-based Global tyre manufacturing giant Apollo took over Vredestein tyres and it was immediately speculated that Vredestein would soon make its Indian debut. However, it does seem like Apollo Tyres took their own sweet time to launch the Vredestein brand in the Indian market.

Vredestein Ultrac, Ultrac Vorti, Centauro ST & Centauro NS Review: Grip Levels, Sizes, Compounds, Specs & Details

In 2013, Vredestein tyres were introduced for a brief period. However, consumer response and wasn't satisfactory enough, and launch plans were postponed. FInally, earlier this year, Vredestein Tyres was launched in around 18 Indian cities.

Vredestein Ultrac, Ultrac Vorti, Centauro ST & Centauro NS Review: Grip Levels, Sizes, Compounds, Specs & Details

In December 2021, announced its expansion to 30 Indian cities and also officially launched the Ultrac brand of tyres for mid-sized sedans and premium hatchbacks.

Vredestein Ultrac, Ultrac Vorti, Centauro ST & Centauro NS Review: Grip Levels, Sizes, Compounds, Specs & Details

Vredestein Tyres In India

Vredestein currently sells four tyre brands in the Indian market, targeted at different segments.

Vredestein Ultrac

Ultrac is the entry-level tyre from Vredestein and is targeted at premium hatchbacks like the Maruti Suzuki Baleno, Hyundai i20, Volkswagen Polo, and mid-sized sedans like the Honda City, Maruti Suzuki CIaz, Hyundai Verna, etc. This tyre is available in sizes starting from 15 inches and going up to 18 inches.

Vredestein Ultrac, Ultrac Vorti, Centauro ST & Centauro NS Review: Grip Levels, Sizes, Compounds, Specs & Details

Vredestein Ultrac Vorti

Ultrac Vorti is the tyre brand being targeted at the premium car space. With sizes going up to 20 inches, these tyres are designed to fit several cars from brands like BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, etc.

Vredestein Ultrac, Ultrac Vorti, Centauro ST & Centauro NS Review: Grip Levels, Sizes, Compounds, Specs & Details

Vredestein Centauro ST

The Centauro ST is currently the entry-level tyre from Vredestein. It is targeted at sports bikes where the rider requires good grip levels along with durability and toughness. The Vredestein Centauro ST is available in several sizes, allowing it to be fitted to motorcycles from 400cc, going all the way up to 1,000cc.

Vredestein Ultrac, Ultrac Vorti, Centauro ST & Centauro NS Review: Grip Levels, Sizes, Compounds, Specs & Details

Vredestein Centauro NS

The Centauro NS is a proper sports tyre that is perfectly designed for the usage requirements of a supersport motorcycle. This tyre too is available in a variety of sizes, allowing for fitment on motorcycles ranging from 400cc, and going all the way up to the 1,300cc motorcycles.

Vredestein Ultrac, Ultrac Vorti, Centauro ST & Centauro NS Review: Grip Levels, Sizes, Compounds, Specs & Details

Vredestein Tyres Performance & Drive/Ride Experience

A track like the Buddh International Circuit is the perfect place to test the grip levels and durability of a tyre. While it doesn't actually give you an idea of how the tyre would perform in the real world, it does help in pushing the tyre to its limits in a safe and controlled environment.

Vredestein Ultrac, Ultrac Vorti, Centauro ST & Centauro NS Review: Grip Levels, Sizes, Compounds, Specs & Details

We were taken out on some fast laps, behind the wheel of a BMW 520d. Now, we weren't here to test the car, but to test the tyres. So, as soon as we exited the pit lane, it was pedal to the metal.

Vredestein Ultrac, Ultrac Vorti, Centauro ST & Centauro NS Review: Grip Levels, Sizes, Compounds, Specs & Details

It didn't take long for us to hit the first corner and realise that these tyres offer phenomenal grip levels. The 18-inch wheels were shod with Vredestein Ultrac Vorti tyres in the 245/45-R18 size. Over the next few laps, it seemed like our goal was to make the tyres lose grip, but it did seem like the tyre was winning

Vredestein Ultrac, Ultrac Vorti, Centauro ST & Centauro NS Review: Grip Levels, Sizes, Compounds, Specs & Details

We then turned off traction control and hit the corners as fast and as violently as the BMW allowed us to. This time, we managed to make the tyres squeal and screech. However, it was still quite difficult to make the rear end of the car slide out as the tyres just wouldn't let go.

Vredestein Ultrac, Ultrac Vorti, Centauro ST & Centauro NS Review: Grip Levels, Sizes, Compounds, Specs & Details

After several more minutes of pushing the tyres to their limits, we returned to the pit lane. Upon returning, we stepped back and took a look at the tyres for a few minutes. Yes, the repeated hot laps with multiple drivers trying to push the tyres to their limits had resulted in a slightly scrubbed upper end of the sidewall.

Vredestein Ultrac, Ultrac Vorti, Centauro ST & Centauro NS Review: Grip Levels, Sizes, Compounds, Specs & Details

However, the design on the tyres was still intact. And this gave us a chance to check out the work of Guigaro. Vredestein Tyres has been working with Guigaro Design for ten years now and Guigaro makes their tyres look good. Guigaro Design was founded by Giorgetto Guigaro, who had in 1999 been named the designer of the Century.

Vredestein Ultrac, Ultrac Vorti, Centauro ST & Centauro NS Review: Grip Levels, Sizes, Compounds, Specs & Details

The sidewall of the tyres feature some sharp, angular patterns and the design on the tyre tread is also pretty attractive.It has two large grooves at the centre for water chanelling and there are smaller grooves and cuts on the side to bring in the additional grip. On track then, the Vredestein Ultrac Vorti turned out to be a brilliant tyre.

Vredestein Ultrac, Ultrac Vorti, Centauro ST & Centauro NS Review: Grip Levels, Sizes, Compounds, Specs & Details

While we didn't get to try out the Vredestein Ultrac on track, we did take a closer look at it on the display cars. These tyres look good and the rubber did feel good as well. However, this being an entry-level brand, the Guigaro Design isn't available, but we are quite looking forward to try these tyres sometime soon.

Vredestein Ultrac, Ultrac Vorti, Centauro ST & Centauro NS Review: Grip Levels, Sizes, Compounds, Specs & Details

However, we did get a brief experience with the Vredestein motorcycle tyres. We must say, Vredestein had lined up quite a delectable assortment of motorcycles including a Yamaha YZF-R1, Ducati Multistrada, Aprilia Tuono V4, Aprilia Dorsoduro, Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R, Kawasaki Ninja 1000, etc.

Vredestein Ultrac, Ultrac Vorti, Centauro ST & Centauro NS Review: Grip Levels, Sizes, Compounds, Specs & Details

All of these were shod with a set of either the Vredestein Centauro ST or Centauro NS tyres. One look at the tyres and it is easy to tell the ST and NS apart. While the ST is more focused towards sport touring and durability, the NS is more hardcore and perfectly suited for spirited riding and track days.

Vredestein Ultrac, Ultrac Vorti, Centauro ST & Centauro NS Review: Grip Levels, Sizes, Compounds, Specs & Details

The Centauro ST has more grooves for water channeling while the NS has lesser grooves for additional grip levels on the track. Also, when it comes to the compound used, the Vredestein Centauro ST and Vredestein Centauro NS are quite different. The ST is more hard-wearing with lots of grip, while the NS is a lot softer and you do get the feeling that the NS won't really last long.

Vredestein Ultrac, Ultrac Vorti, Centauro ST & Centauro NS Review: Grip Levels, Sizes, Compounds, Specs & Details

Vredestein Tyres Track Experience Verdict

It is really hard to give out a verdict on these tyres after just a track session. The behaviour of a tyre will be vastly different on the road than on the track. However, first impressions of all four Vredestein tyres suggest that they are certainly on the right track and these tyres might just be brilliant for Indian roads. We will be looking forward to getting a set of Vredestein tyres, to put it to the test on Indian roads.

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Read more on: #tyres #car modifications
Article Published On: Sunday, December 19, 2021, 10:00 [IST]
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