Vredestein launches Sportrac 5 in Budapest

Apollo Vredestein is in Budapest this week, as it launches two new UHP tyres under the Vredestein brand. The Sportrac 5 is the successor to the successful Sportrac 3, which won the ADAC 2011 summer tyre test. The Sportrac 5 is marketed on its quietness, stability and sportiness, offering excellent handling on both wet and dry surfaces. Its size range is designed to provide fitments on upper medium cars. The company notes that the name Sportrac 4 has not been used in order to prevent confusion with Vredestein’s all-season tyres.

In contrast to the Sportrac 3, the Sportrac 5 has an asymmetrical tread pattern instead of directional. The tyre also has designer hinge points on its central grooves, giving the flexibility required for a low rolling resistance and a good footprint with an improved surface pressure distribution. This in turn helps to promote even wear and handling on dry and wet surfaces.

Like its predecessor, the Sportrac 5 benefits from the Handling Tuned Sidewall principle: together with the firm outer shoulders and robust construction this offers a sporty driving performance and superior handling. The tyre has four wide circumferential grooves for better water discharge and increased aquaplaning reserves. The distribution of the tyre’s shoulder blocks provides better braking on wet surfaces, while also contributing to the low noise levels (interior and exterior) of the tyre. The company claims it is the most sporty summer tyre in the current V segment market.

The Sportrac 5 was developed in cooperation with Italian design company Giugiaro, like previous Vredestein models, the Ultrac Cento and Ultrac Sessanta. Giugiaro developed the tread and sidewall design of the Sportrac 5, giving the tyre shading at the base of all four grooves to emphasise its asymmetry and increasing the tyre’s sporty appearance. The side engraving is also sleek, while the shoulder of the Sportrac 5 has the Vredestein logo near the tread wear indicator.

The Vredestein Sportrac 5 is available in the following sizes:

185 / 55 R15 82V   
195 / 65 R15 91V   
195 / 60 R15 88V   
195 / 55 R15 85V   
205 / 60 R15 91V   
195 / 55 R16 87V   
195 / 50 R16 88V XL
195 / 45 R16 84V XL
205 / 60 R16 92V   
205 / 55 R16 91V   
205 / 55 R16 94V XL
205 / 50 R16 87V   
215 / 55 R16 97V XL
205 / 50 R17 89V

Related news:

• Vredestein launches UHP tyres in Budapest “takeover”
• Sportrac3 Rated a ‘Winning Tyre’ in Auto Express Product Honours
• Vredestein Sportrac 2 Tops Auto Express Test