One of the best known features of the Vredestein brand is the unique designs. Although its products have a rich history in terms of quality and functionality, Vredestein also places great store by aesthetics. This is one of the reasons why the company can celebrate ten years of successful cooperation with leading designers Giugiaro Design. Over the past decade, the Italian style gurus at Giugiaro have more than left their mark on the tread designs of high performance tyres manufactured by the Dutch tyre brand.

To commemorate this decade of successful collaboration Giugiaro's VAH.HO concept car is being shown as the centrepiece on the Vredestein stand. For the dramatic VAH.HO concept, which is propelled by BMW Hydrogen Power and seats its occupants in line astern, it marks a return to the halls of the Geneva Palexpo exactly two years after it was premièred at the 77th edition of the Swiss motor show.

At the time this exclusive partnership was established ten years ago, the market was not quite sure what to expect. Since then, this pioneering co-branding approach has reaped huge benefits for both parties. Giugiaro designed an entire series of successful tyres for Vredestein, including the Ultrac Sessanta, Sportrac 3 and Wintrac xTreme. These jointly developed tyres modernised the market with regard to design and won numerous awards for their excellent performance in all major tyre tests. Vredestein’s pay-off ‘Designed to protect’ has proven genuinely appropriate.

Vredestein celebrated its centenary last year. Over the course of the past 100 years the company has manufactured a wide range of rubber products, giving it unparalleled knowledge of rubber applications, manufacturing techniques and logistics. Vredestein made its name as a tyre manufacturer by investing in technology, innovation and brand image. The cooperation with Giugiaro, named as car designer of the twentieth century added a crucial extra dimension.

By concentrating on the highest echelons of the (replacement) market, Vredestein became a leading global player and premium tyre brand. In line with Vredestein’s celebrations, Giugiaro Design also commemorated its 40th anniversary last year. Spanning four decades of craftsmanship, the company’s creative research and design activities have resulted in no less than 120 manufactured car models. More than half of the past 40 years have been focussed on product development within the automobile industry and the production of experimental and progressive prototypes.

Vredestein presents the Ultrac Cento: A new chapter in the partnership with top designer Giugiaro

The introduction of the Ultrac Cento summer tyre sees Vredestein once again set new standards in premium quality. As always, the company has focused on the tyre’s safety aspects in combination with environmental issues. The tread and sidewall have again come from the boards of Italian designers Giugiaro Design, adding aesthetics to the Ultrac Cento’s technological attractions. With an –SW mark on the side of the tyre, the Ultrac Cento meets the most stringent European noise and wet grip requirements. Comfort and a low sound generation were focal points in the development of this outstanding new Vredestein tyre.

The tread design benefits from a ‘less is more’ philosophy, with a minimalist, stylish and primarily functional tread. The shading in the two central circumferential grooves underlines the streamlined design, while the Y-rating indicates that the tyre can be used for speeds up to 300 km/h. In short, the Ultrac Cento is the ideal tyre for comfortable, smart, high-performance cars that drive many kilometres.

Subject to exhaustive testing, the sound levels of the Ultrac Cento (maximum 71 decibels) already meet the European standards due to be implemented in 2012. The Ultrac Cento tread compound is a unique ‘High Silica’ mix that is free of PCA and comprises a total of ten different rubbers. The new tyre was driven the equivalent of millions of kilometres in laboratories and field tests during its development phase before the Vredestein engineers gave the green light for the actual production. This meticulous testing regime means that the Ultrac Cento offers a superior combination of safety and performance.

The Ultrac Cento has a low rolling resistance, which makes it quiet as well as efficient. This low resistance can be partly attributed to the intelligent tread compound that guarantees a low heat production. The tyre contour and groove depth were developed with the aim of reducing rolling resistance. Its shoulders are shallower and thus firmer, which improves performance, decreases rolling resistance and lessens wear.  Compared to other tyres in the same category, the Ultrac Cento is exceptionally lightweight. Vredestein’s efficient use of (raw) materials has resulted in a tyre that is a genuine pleasure to drive on.

The composition of the tread compound is so sophisticated that heat production is very low, while sipes in the circumferential grooves provide good cooling even at high speeds. The wear pattern is very consistent, ensuring a long lifespan. Furthermore, the wear that occurs in normal use has no negative effects on the noise production of the tyre and a firm construction guarantees that the Ultrac Cento retains its shape at very high speeds. The tyre remains comfortable and quiet throughout its entire lifespan with a smooth roll. And a sturdy rim edge protector ensures that light-metal rims cannot be damaged.

Wet/dry performance: the unique compound of the tread compound guarantees stable road-holding and short braking distances; the round contours of the Ultrac Cento were developed for ultimate comfort; the firm central groove provides additional steering precision; the tread compound ensures excellent braking on wet and dry surfaces; the Ultrac Cento excels on wet surfaces in terms of both grip and acceleration: a proven and renowned quality of all Vredestein tyres; and the four circumferential grooves provide fast and constant water removal, minimising the risk of aquaplaning. In essence the tyre simply ‘slices’ through water.