SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Apollo Tyres Ltd.'s Vredestein Quatrac Pro was ranked as the top grand touring all-season tire in a test conducted recently by Tire Rack Inc.
The Vredestein Quatric Pro compiled 7.91 points in the test, ahead of Continental Tire The Americas L.L.C.'s PureContact LS (7.72), Group Michelin's Primacy Tour A/S (7.56) and the Bridgestone Americas Inc.'s Turanza QuietTrack (7.38).
According to Tire Rack, the test was conducted in mid-July on various roadways — expressway, state highway and county roads — to include a variety of speeds and road conditions. The tires also were tested on a track in wet and dry conditions, on a 2020 BMW F36 430i Gran Coupe.
"This tire could signify a paradigm shift in the Grand Touring All-Season landscape," Tire Rack concluded.
"The new Vredestein Quatrac Pro looks like a game-changer with its excellent performance in our test during warm everyday driving conditions," Woody Rogers, Product Information Specialist at Tire Rack, said in a statement. "We're keen to see its snow and ice capability, once winter weather arrives."
All of the tires tested "scored very highly with our team, with the Turanza QuietTrack and the Quatrac Pro tied at the top," Tire Rack wrote.
The Turanza QuietTrack edged the competition in ride and noise comfort, while the Quatrac Pro held a close second in both categories and scored highest in handling.
Conti's PureContact LS stood out on the dry track, edging the competition in all four categories.
"Sharp turn-in and precise response to inputs made it easy to turn down to the apex, and the impressive ability to handle steering and acceleration at the same time allowed the driver to pick up the throttle quickly and confidently," Tire Rack wrote.
It was on the wet track that the Veredestein Quatrac Pro stood out from the crowd, Tire Rack said, easily getting the highest ratings for cornering, steering, braking and handling.
"The Vredestein Quatrac Pro is an all-around impressive tire," Tire Rack wrote in its review. "The ride and noise comfort are some of the best we have tested, along with light handling that is ideal for a Grand Touring All-Season tire's mission. Combine the excellent on-road performance with wet traction that is significantly superior to its competitors and competent dry track capability, and the result is a winner."
Tire Rack described the PureContact as "very good wet traction, surprising capability on the dry track and on-road manners suitable for miles of comfort make a well-rounded, talented tire that should satisfy any driver," and called the Primacy Tour A/S "an all-around, balanced performer. A firm ride and some mild tread growl, particularly over coarse surfaces, are the only minor quibbles with the characteristics on the road ...."
It said the Turanza QuietTrack "has strengths and weaknesses that make it somewhat less balanced in its performance."
"While (the Quatrac Pro) was remarkable in all aspects, what stood out most was the ability to put the power to the pavement," Tire Rack said, "allowing the driver to use full throttle sooner and in sections of the track where it was not possible with the other tires."
All four tires will be tested on snow and ice in winter.
The Vredestein Quatrac Pro is the seventh generation of the Quatrac line with improved sipes, silica-infused material composition and dedicated inner and outer climate zones. It's available in 158 OEM and aftermarket sizes.