Vredestein Tyres made me sick

Vredestein Tyres made me sick

Vredestein Tyres made me sick
Vredestein Tyres made me sick

Vredestein Tyres made me sick

Driving too fast-Vredestein Tyres made me sick?

I really mean physically sick; let me explain. It was back in 2006; Vredestein Tyres was going to launch a brand new product. The new tyre would fit the new popularity of SUV vehicles that were hitting the car market.
The 4X4 and SUV market was starting to become more popular amongst Europeans in most countries and was a growing favourite amongst women drivers. The extra height in the

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Vredestein tyres are on test in the Austrian mountains

vehicles gave the drivers a better driving position, especially for the usually smaller female drivers, which, in my opinion, was one of the popular points of these cars.
The test vehicles came from the more up-market brands. Of course, such as BMW and Mercedes. Quickly, followed by a new Porsche SUV and a completely new type of Land Rover Discovery. Hence, with a much more streamlined and sexy shape, they were becoming popular with business-owner types of customers.

Vredestein Tyres could see the market gap

Vredestein Tyres was already established as a leader in the winter tyre market and could see that this growing class of vehicles was going to need winter tyres, especially in the countries that have to fit them by law, including Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. These cars were primarily made from original equipment shod with summer tyres.


The summer tyres were developed by the tyre manufacturers to provide these top-class cars with comfort and strength when cornering. Because of the large sizes of tyres that these vehicles were coming out in, some are now even larger with 23-inch wheels fitted. If the makeup and compound of the tyres were not right, then these tyres would be a very hard ride and uncomfortable on most vehicles, so the correct makeup of the tyres was very important.

Vredestein Tyres announces a new type of tyre

Vredestein Tyres had seen this problem arising and had developed a new type of tyre specifically for the SUV and 4X4 winter tyre market; the tyre would be the “Wintrac 4 Xtreme.”. The tyre was to be available in 16 different sizes and included some of the more exotic tyre sizes that fitted the more up-market models, including the new Porsche Cayenne.

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Vredestein Wintrac 4 Xtreme tyres on test

Vredestein tyres was in those days a mid-range tyre manufacturer, but they always produced quality tyre products, and they were very excited about their new tyre.

The plan was to have a European-wide tyre dealer launch, and this was to be presented at a lakeside resort in Austria with extensive tyre testing in the mountains of Austria.

The whole adventure was kept secret to the last few days, and all the European tyre dealers were given different dates to attend the new tyre launched.

Countries were kept apart, and we would be in the United Kingdom to travel from Manchester to Saltsburg airport in Austria.
The whole thing had been kept a secret, partly because we knew it must have been something about tyres, and I must admit that we were a bit excited about what was coming.

Then, coaches took us to a nearby lakeside resort. Of course, they were known as the Schloss Fuschl Resort & Spa, Fuschlsee-Salzburg, and were told to meet at seven in the evening for drinks and a presentation.
Vredestein had certainly gone to town with all the preparations, and I was most impressed with the whole experience.

After checking into our room

We refreshed ourselves and were told to meet at a certain bar for pre-presentation drinks.

I guess there were probably a hundred dealers there from all over the UK and Ireland, and after drinks, we were funnelled into a conference hall to be seated for the presentation of what was to be the “Wintrac 4 Xtreme,” especially designed for the new generation of SUV and 4X4 vehicles.


Following an evening meal and a male soul singer from Holland, the presentation was in keeping with the rest of the excellent hospitality.

We were briefed that the following day we would all be taken in groups of four in different brand new vehicles that were kitted out with the new Wintrac tyres. This was to prove to us, the dealers, how good the product was.
The following day, we packed our bags and assembled outside the Hotel frontage, where we were given the number of the vehicle that we would be driving in. Professional drivers with experience driving in snow and mountains were operating all of the vehicles, which bore Vredestein logos.

My car was to be a brand new Land rover Discovery

the first one I had ever seen. We waited until all the cars were filled with tyre dealers, and the cars all set off in a convoy.
I must admit to feeling slightly nervous, not knowing what to expect. The vehicles split up into small groups, and we were climbing higher and higher until we reached the snow line.

We continued to go higher and higher, but now we were driving at speed on very narrow single roads with deep drops at one side.

I was now out of my comfort zone, as I am a poor passenger at the best of times . We eventually reached the summit, which I was told was a glazier.


After doing several wheelies on the glazier, I started to feel uncomfortable

But I was assured by the drive that we were perfectly safe, and he had been using these tyres for practice over the past 6 months. We then started to descend down the mountains, but we never lost the car once. I was most impressed with the tyres performance.

After reaching the forest line going down the mountain, the driver decided to demonstrate how good the tyres were on a mountain gravel track and started hurtling the Landover downhill at great speed before slamming on the brakes.

That was the straw that broke the camel’s back.

I could feel my stomach hurtling up to my mouth and threw up all over the brand new Land Rover, just missing my fellow passengers.
I did feel a little better after that, and the journey became more tranquil as we wound down the small roads of the foothills back towards our waiting coaches and then onto the airport for our return flight home.

It was, on the whole, a really well-planned new product launch by Vredestein tyres and it proved to be successful for Vredestein and future sales, but the one thing I learned is that I will never be a rally car driver?

Q&A Session on Vredestein Wintrac 4 Xtreme Tyres


Q: So, what is the story behind Vredestein Wintrac 4 Xtreme tyres?

A: All right, let’s plunge in! The Wintrac 4 Xtreme tyres are like the tyre equivalent of Sherlock Holmes: they’re smart, dependable, and ideal for the unpredictable British weather. They are specifically intended for winter circumstances, although they are also suitable for all-year use.

Q: Winter tyres, you say? Are they just for snowy days?

A: Not only for the snow! While they excel on icy roads, they also perform admirably in wet and dry conditions. Ideal for icy mornings in Halifax or a wet trip through the Lake District.

Q: How do these tyres differ from ordinary winter tyres?

A: It is all about design and technology. The Wintrac 4 Xtreme tyres have a distinctive tread pattern and a silica-based substance. This combination delivers great grip and handling, especially in the coldest weather. It’s like having the grip of a Yorkshire terrier on a lead—powerful and steady!

Q: Do they suit any cars?

A: Vredestein has done an excellent job catering to a wide variety of automobiles. Whether you have a little hatchback or a large SUV, a Wintrac 4 Xtreme tyre would most likely fit.

Q: How do they function in heavy rain and puddles?

A: Imagine driving through Manchester on a wet day; these tyres handle it well. They are meant to quickly disperse water, lowering the risk of aquaplaning. So you can drive with confidence even when the skies open up.

Q: Are these tyres suitable for environmentally conscious drivers?

A: They certainly are. The Wintrac 4 Xtreme tyres are designed to be fuel-efficient, so you’ll not only save money at the pump but also help the environment. It’s a win-win!

Q: What’s the lifespan of these tyres?

A: These tyres are long-lasting, much like a good cup of Yorkshire tea. They’re designed to last, so you won’t need to replace them every winter. It’s a good investment for your automobile.

Q: Finally, why should I choose these tyres for my next winter purchase?

A: If you want a durable, adaptable, and safe tyre for the British winter (and beyond), the Wintrac 4 Xtreme is an excellent choice. It’s like enveloping your automobile in a warm, protective coat, ready for whatever the elements hurl at it!

Pellon Tyres is now a member of Tyresafe.org



Eric