Apollo Tyres – Even driving enthusiasts want a comfortable replacement tyre

A new survey commissioned by Apollo Tyres suggests that driving enthusiasts now value ride comfort almost as much as performance when buying replacement tyres. When asked which characteristics they would prioritise when buying a replacement tyre, 34 per cent of respondents who claim to “love” or “like” driving cite ‘high-performance grip and traction’ as priority, while 23 per cent mention ‘ride refinement and low noise’.

In addition, almost twice as many enthusiast drivers would favour ‘a smaller wheel with a larger-profile tyre that gives enhanced comfort’, with 45 per cent choosing this option over ‘a larger wheel and a low-profile tyre that looks great on the vehicle’, a configuration preferred by 21 per cent.

For Apollo Tyres, the findings from the OnePoll survey of 1,000 respondents highlight the “importance of comfort to those who are most likely to purchase high-performance road tyres.” This is at odds with the fact that these products traditionally provide comparatively low levels of ride refinement, a direct consequence of the more rigid structure and very stiff sidewalls that manufacturers use to maximise dynamic capabilities.

The survey also found that, among all motorists, the most important criteria when selecting replacement tyres is ‘price / affordability’, identified as a priority by 65 per cent, followed by ‘safety – short stopping distances’, highlighted by 44 per cent, and ‘year-round grip and traction’, noted by 41 per cent.

Delivering the best of both worlds

Earlier this year, Apollo Tyres launched the all-new Vredestein Ultrac Pro, an ultra-ultra-high-performance (UUHP) summer tyre engineered to offer the best of both worlds: advanced handling capabilities coupled with superior driving comfort. The Ultrac Pro’s unique balance of attributes is possible due to its advanced new tread compound and a highly innovative structure that includes a completely rethought bead area and a larger ‘flex-zone’ in the sidewall.

The new Ultrac Pro was recently the focus of a comprehensive tyre assessment conducted by independent Spanish testing and engineering company Applus+ IDIADA. The testers compared the Ultrac Pro with three UUHP tyres that are strongest in terms of performance capabilities, and a further three that lead on comfort. The flagship Vredestein tyre outperformed all but one of the performance-focused UUHP tyres in the ‘Limit Handling’ assessment, with a difference of less than 1 km/h in entry and exit speed compared to the first-placed tyre, while also beating the more comfort-centric UUHP tyres in the overall ‘Ride Comfort’ tests.

“Our survey highlights that performance-car drivers seek greater versatility from their tyres,” comments Yves Pouliquen, group head of sales and marketing at Apollo Tyres. “Many will commute in the same car that they take on track or use for a spirited weekend drive. The Ultrac Pro is the first tyre to meet this broad range of requirements so effectively.”