Vredestein Arctrac SUV

The Spiked SUV tire from Vredestein

Arctrac SUV is based on the strengths of Arctrac with an extra wide tread, improved handling and greater stability without sacrificing comfort. The intelligent profile design keeps spike losses to a minimum. The Arctrac SUV is also equipped with a double layer frame and a sturdy belt, allowing greater payload and makes it the ideal tire for heavier SUVs. Even in extreme cold, the Arctrac SUV ensures excellent handling, a short braking distance and great acceleration.

Vredestein Arctrac SUV Features

Double carcass layer and an extra sturdy belt construction

Sophisticated Spike Algoritm® (intelligent spike distribution in footprint) and smart tread construction

Tapered diagonal grooves

Angular 3D contour with stepped inner groove surface

Optimised tire contour (per size)

Centre Shift System®: Ingenious shifting of right and left tread parts in relation to the centre of the tire

Vredestein Arctrac SUV Benefits

High load capacity
Superior stability and control

Excellent grip on snow and ice
Minimal loss of spikes

Good self-cleaning of snow and slush

Additional diagonal grip and stability in winter conditions

Equal distribution of pressure on the spikes improves grip

Low noise production in compliance with all European regulations

Vredestein Arctrac SUV Sizes

225/70 R 16 103 T
225/70 R 16 103 T
265/70 R 16 112 T

225/65 R 17 102 T
235/65 R 17 108 T XL
265/65 R 17 112 T

255/55 R 18 109 T XL

235/60 R 18 107 T XL

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Vredestein Snowtrac 3

At Vredestein, safety is priority, this is illustrated in the new Snowtrac 3. Intelligent and innovative tread,  stepped circumferential groove enhances the diagonal grip on wet and snowy surfaces. Tapered diagonal grooves optimise the self-cleaning performance of the tyre. With the introduction of a new tread compound, the performance in wet, dry and wintry conditions, has further improved, compared to the earlier, highly successful Snowtracs. 

 

Vredestein Snowtrac 3 Features

 Intelligent tread with innovative, stepped circumferential groove

Tapered diagonal grooves

Groove in groove to separate shoulder blocks

Optimum Silica & Polymer Processing (OS&PP) tread compound

Round footprint

Variable groove depth ensures perfect pressure distribution across the footprint  

Centre Shift System; ingenious shifting of right and left tread parts in relation to the centre of the tyre 

Vredestein Snowtrac 3 Benefits

Full tyre width used for premium grip in winter conditions

Excellent self-cleaning of snow and slush

Balanced wear pattern results in consistent performance

Excellent winter performance and maximum grip on wet and dry roads

Maximum water dispersal

Excellent handling

Low noise production in compliance with all European regulations

Vredestein Snowtrac 3 Sizes

155/65 R 13 73 T
165/65 R 13 77
175/65 R 13 80

145/70 R 13 71 T
155/70 R 13 75 T
165/70 R 13 79 S
165/70 R 13 83 T XL
175/70 R 13 82 T

185/55 R 14 80 T

165/60 R 14 79 T XL
185/60 R 14 82 H
185/60 R 14 82 T

155/65 R 14 75 T
165/65 R 14 79
175/65 R 14 82 T
175/65 R 14 86 T XL
175/65 R 14 90 T
185/65 R 14 86 T
195/65 R 14 89 T

165/70 R 14 82 T
165/70 R 14 85 T XL
165/70 R 14 89 T
175/70 R 14 84 T
175/70 R 14 88 T XL
175/70 R 14 95 T
185/70 R 14 88 T
195/70 R 14 91 T

185/55 R 15 82 H
185/55 R 15 82
185/55 R 15 86 H XL
195/55 R 15 85 H

185/60 R 15 88 T XL
195/60 R 15 88 T
195/60 R 15 88 H
205/60 R 15 91 H
205/60 R 15 91 T

165/65 R 15 81 T
175/65 R 15 84 T
185/65 R 15 88 T
185/65 R 15 88 H
195/65 R 15 91 H
195/65 R 15 91 T
195/65 R 15 95 T XL
205/65 R 15 94 T
205/65 R 15 94 H

195/70 R 15 97 T XL
205/70 R 15 96 T

195/55 R 16 87 H
205/55 R 16 91 H

205/60 R 16 92 H

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Vredestein Snowtrac 2

The Snowtrac 2 is the absolute all-round winter tire thanks to the application of Silica Nova 7°C in the tread mixture. This gives the tire good winter properties as well as an optimal grip on wet and slippery road surfaces. A hard ‘base’ mixture is used for the foundation layer, considerably improving handling on dry and wet road and offering a reduced rolling resistance. The zigzag sipes also play a key role in the way this tire performs in snowy and icy conditions. Taken as a whole, the Snowtrac 2 effortlessly combines top performance on snow and ice with the capacity to reach speeds as high as 118 mph (190 km/h) (T) and 130 mph (210 km/h) (H) (where this is possible and permissible).

 

Vredestein Snowtrac 2Features

Unique tread compound: • Silica Nova 7°C for contact with the road • Hard ‘base’ compound for the foundation layer

Large number of zigzag-shaped sipes

A directional tread with two circumferential grooves and a contour that reflects the very latest technology

Vredestein Snowtrac 2 Benefits

Excellent winter properties at temperatures below 7°C Perfect grip on wet road surfaces Excellent handling on dry and wet road surfaces Lower rolling resistance

Extra grip for a shorter braking distance and better acceleration in wintry conditions Optimum disposal of mud and snow

Improved resistance to aquaplaning Better road performance during wintry conditions Ultra-low noise production Modern and sporty appearance

Vredestein Snowtrac 2 Sizes

165/65 R 13 77 T

175/65 R 13 80 T

185/55 R 14 80 T

165/60 R 14 79 T XL

185/60 R 14 82 H
185/60 R 14 82 T
195/60 R 14 86 T

155/65 R 14 75 T

165/65 R 14 79 T
175/65 R 14 82 T
175/65 R 14 86 T XL
185/65 R 14 86 T

165/70 R 14 81 T

165/70 R 14 85 T XL

195/50 R 15 82 H

185/55 R 15 82 H

185/55 R 15 86 H XL
195/55 R 15 85 H

185/60 R 15 88 T XL

195/60 R 15 88 H
195/60 R 15 88 T
205/60 R 15 91 T
205/60 R 15 91 H

165/65 R 15 81 T

185/65 R 15 88 H
185/65 R 15 88 T
195/65 R 15 91 T
195/65 R 15 91 H
195/65 R 15 95 T XL
205/65 R 15 94 T
205/65 R 15 94 H
205/65 R 15 99 T XL

195/55 R 16 87 H

205/55 R 16 91 T
205/55 R 16 91 H

195/60 R 16 89 H
195/60 R 16 C 99 T
205/60 R 16 92 H

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Vredestein Snowtrac

Thanks to its high levels of Silica Solution II, the Snowtrac gets a firm grip on all wet, snowy and icy roads. In addition, this genuine winter tyre (capable of speeds up to 118 mph/190 km/h) has a special directional tread pattern. A striking feature here is the angled lateral tread blocks. These easily shake off clinging snow, thus ensuring a snowfree tread. The many wafer-thin grooves in the tread profile, the so-called sipes, have been extended due to their wave form. This provides excellent stability when accelerating and braking.

 

Features:

Silica Solution II in the tread • Rubber is more elastic and flexible at lower temperatures

Directional tread pattern with angled lateral tread blocks  

Tread Control System - wave form sipes

Robust design and modern sidewall markings 

Benefits:

Improved grip on wet, snowy and icy road surfaces: 12% more grip; 10% reduction in braking distance Longer life-span

The tyre removes snow more easily Efficient and fast water disposal

The tyre bites into snowy or icy road surfaces (saw-tooth effect) when accelerating and braking

A modern, sporty winter tyre

Sizes:

13"

145/70 R 13 71 S

155/70 R 13 75 S
165/70 R 13 79 S
165/70 R 13 83 R RF
175/70 R 13 82 T

135/80 R 13 70 S

145/80 R 13 75 S
155/80 R 13 79 S
165/80 R 13 83 S 

14"

195/65 R 14 89 T 

165/70 R 14 89 R

175/70 R 14 84 T
175/70 R 14 88 T XL
175/70 R 14 95 T
185/70 R 14 88 T
195/70 R 14 91 T 

165 R 14 84 Q (snow+ )

175/80 R 14 88 T
185/80 R 14 95 T RF

15"

175/65 R 15 84 T

195/70 R 15 97 T RF

205/70 R 15 96 T 

155 R 15 82 Q (snow+)

165 R 15 86 Q (snow+)

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Vredestein Wintrac 4 Xtreme

The WINTRAC 4 XTREME is the first high performance SUV winter tyre to carry the signature of a top designer. Giugiaro’s innovative design and sleek lines give the W-shaped tread a powerful appearance. The tyre reflects the latest developments, offering you the very best in design, safety and comfort. The WINTRAC 4 XTREME has excellent on-road properties, but also features a number of important all-terrain characteristics. For instance, the tread has good self-cleaning properties, resulting in an excellent performance on wintry and unpaved roads.

 Features:

Design by Giugiaro

Excellent self-cleaning properties due to sophisticated W-shaped tread

Optimum Silica Processing™ (OSP™) in the tread compound

Refined tread compound Rigid sidewall Special belt construction

Equal distribution of pressure in the tread with blocks that vary in size

Benefits:

Powerful appearance due to aggressive, taut lines

Good driving performance on snowy and unpaved roads

Good grip on wet roads Outstanding aquaplaning stability

Precise steering at high speeds

Comfortably low noise levels throughout the lifespan of the tyre

Sizes:

16"

255/65 R 16 109 H                                

215/70 R 16 100 H
225/70 R 16 103 H
235/70 R 16 106 H
245/70 R 16 107 H
265/70 R 16 112 H

17"

225/55 R 17 97 H
235/55 R 17 99 H

215/60 R 17 96 H
225/60 R 17 103 H XL
235/60 R 17 102 H
255/60 R 17 106 H

225/65 R 17 102 H
235/65 R 17 108 H XL
245/65 R 17 107 H
255/65 R 17 110 H
265/65 R 17 112 H

235/70 R 17 111 H XL

18"

235/50 R 18 97 H

225/55 R 18 98 V
235/55 R 18 100 H
255/55 R 18 109 V XL

235/60 R 18 107 H XL
255/60 R 18 112 H XL
265/60 R 18 114 H XL

235/65 R 18 110 H XL

19"

255/45 R 19 104 V XL
275/45 R 19 108 V XL
285/45 R 19 111 V XL

255/50 R 19 107 V XL

235/55 R 19 105 V XL
255/55 R 19 111 V XL
265/55 R 19 109 H

20"

275/40 R 20 106 V XL

275/45 R 20 110 V XL

255/50 R 20 109 V XL

Vredestein Wintrac 4 Xtreme Review

Dry Grip  85%
Wet Grip 90%
Comfort  84%

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Pirelli SOTTOZERO Serie II

Winter SOTTOZERO™ Serie II is designed to provide drivers with the versatility and safety needed to navigate in harsh fall and winter weather driving conditions. It represents a versatile and safe solution for drivers who encounter fall and winter weather conditions, be they dry, wet or snowy. Pirelli’s SOTTOZERO™ Serie II actively reacts in the presence of wet asphalt and low external temperatures (under 45°F), greatly reducing the possibility of aquaplaning and guarantees the best performance on all surfaces.

 

The innovative asymmetric tread design of the Sottozero Serie II and its openly sporty character can be sub-divided into two distinct areas comprised of differentiated compositions due to the exclusive and patented bi-composition (present on W270). The internal module of the tire adopts a rigid composition that reacts to a more humid climate and helps manages the stability and control of the vehicle at high speeds on wet and dry surfaces, giving the Sottozero Serie II serious advantages in traction.

The internal module is characterized by:

• Wide molded grooves, in order to effectively expel the water.
  
• Special water containment basins (HST - Hydro Static Tank). Patented by Pirelli, HST guarantees a better containment of water in the grooves that reduces the phenomenon of aquaplaning.
  

The external module characterized by more rigid wedges and greater distanced privileges the winter performance on snow due to the support of a softer compound optimised for this purpose with the method TDC - Temperature Dynamic Compound (also on W210/W240).

The external module is characterized by rigid wedges allowing for more confidence inspiring winter performance on snow with Pirelli's TDC - Temperature Dynamic Compound, a softer compound that was created specifically for snow duty (also on W210/W240).

The primary characteristics of those sections are:

• A double band of wedges that guarantees stability and adherence during acceleration and braking in any condition.
  
• Three-deep longitudinal canals that improve the fluid dynamics of the design - thus reducing the occurrence of aquaplaning.
  
• A thick lamination "like brickwork" (IBS - Interactive Brickwork Siping), that remarkably improves the traction capacity of the snow and the grip of dry surfaces.

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Yokohama Advan Neova AD08

The Advan Neova Ad08 is an Extreme Performance Summer tire developed for the drivers of sport cars, performance sedans, sport coupes and any car that can be considered sport or performance.

The tire provides good driving control on dry and wet roads, responsive handling, and high levels of traction.

Features:

- Micro Silica Compound 2 controls heat and feels soft on a micro level, to grip the road, and hard on a macro level to resist deformation, heat and wear.
- Racing tread pattern with continuous tread to increase rigidity.
- Steel sidewall inserts to increase casing rigidity.
- Show to out perform similar extreme sports tyres in cornering, braking and on dry track conditions.
- 8mm tread depth (Unlike a R-spec tyre's 4.5 - 5 mm) and a 180 UTQG Treadwar rating so you can expect resonable tread life.
- World Touring Car Championship tyre technology.

A great video about the tire

The commercial

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Creepiest thing I've ever seen: Fire Tornado

I have to say that this has nothing to do with tires :), but I was shocked when I saw this. Imagine a burning and devastating tornado, a fire whirl..........................................................a Fire Devil.

Fire Tornado is a rare phenomen  in which a fire, under certain conditions (depending on air temperature and currents), acquires a vertical vorticity and forms a whirl, or a tornado-like vertically oriented rotating column of air. Fire whirls may be whirlwinds separated from the flames, either within the burn area or outside it, or a vortex of flame, itself. 

The most extreme one was in 1923 in Tokyo, where a Fire Devil killed 38,000 people in just 15 minutes.

Last one was seen in Brazil.

And one in Hawaii

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Next on the expensive list: Goodyear

After Bridgestone announced the increasing of the off-road tire prices, now Goodyear want's to hike the prices up to 6%.

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. will raise its consumer tire prices up to 6% on Oct. 1. This will encompass all of Goodyear's consumer tire brands, including Goodyear, Dunlop and Kelly.

The reason? A response to to escalating raw material costs.

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David Smith, the new Chairman of the BTMA

The British Tyre Manufacturers Association (BTMA) has elected David Smith as its new chairman with immediate effect. Smith has been the managing director of Continental Tyres since 2007, and as such has a wealth of tyre industry experience. “I am honoured to have been elected to this key role within the tyre industry,” he comments.

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