The new Vredestein Quatrac Pro EV, an EV-specific flagship, has been developed using the Apollo Tires virtual simulation and prototyping platform. The growing use of computer simulation allows the company to apply rapid and iterative design to optimize critical performance characteristics such as rolling resistance, grip, comfort and rolling noise.
The R&D team, based in Enschede, Belgium, used simulation technology to optimize the shape and design of the tread, thereby reducing rolling resistance and thereby increasing vehicle traction, a critical point in electric cars. The result is a product that works well throughout the year and on a variety of surfaces.
Apollo Tires technology also helped reduce the emissions of the Quatrac Pro EV during its development. In addition to requiring fewer physical test kilometers to evaluate the tire before launch, the increased use of computer simulation allows to reduce the amount of raw material used for the evaluation of test compounds and the production of test sums.
Compared to previous development processes, the Apollo Tires virtual prototyping software increases the effectiveness of tire testing through advanced digital simulation. In the case of the Quatrac Pro EV, the approach also allowed the company to reduce the total CO2 emissions generated during the development and pre-production phase of tire testing. In addition, the platform allows Apollo Tires to implement new efficiencies in its R&D processes, which keep the company competitively priced for end users.
Electric vehicle tires
The simulation allowed Apollo Tires to achieve new performance levels throughout the year. The Vredestein Quatrac Pro EV all-season graphic bears the snow symbol surrounded by a three-pronged mountain on its side, confirming its suitability in winter conditions. Due to the high silica content in the tread, the blocks are harder and the “bridges” in the sides are connected to each other, it has a high breaking capacity on dry and wet surfaces. In this case, it is 4% higher than the equivalent Vredestein all-time tire for non-electric vehicles.
In addition, the Quatrac Pro EV offers a 6% improvement in handling, 5% less noise and a 15% reduction in rolling resistance compared to the non-EV specific part. All thanks to an optimized mixture of fourth generation polymers and “pain” silica for the composite grinding, heads and casing.
The Quatrac Pro EV received the HL certification, which means that it is ready for “high loads” (255/40 R 20 first variant), supporting 10% more weight than the “extra load” tire (XL). at the same pressure. Compared to normal all-season tires, the Quatrac Pro EV has a 17% lower environmental impact (co2 measured as global warming potential), helping to reduce its life cycle carbon footprint.
