Short stopping distance

The tread compound is a key performance factor of the new Carat Progresso with its strengths on wet roads. Carat Progresso is equipped with a special high hysteresis contact compound, providing high levels of grip on wet roads.   

The tread pattern features a high-density of radial grooves and blades, which provide 'biting edges' for effective water drainage and paddle effect: The more radial grooves, the more paddle movements will occur per  second.     

The new tread compound in combination with this high number of special radial grooves shortens significantly the stopping distance while driving in rain on wet and slippery roads – the major concern of European drivers.

High aquaplaning resistance

Carat Progresso's directional tread design with wide circumferential grooves evacuates the water on wet roads more efficiently than other patterns. The driver will feel the safety benefit immediately while driving in heavy rain: Carat Progresso reduces the risk of aquaplaning significantly.      

"Our engineers have clearly focused their development and testing efforts on the two most critical situations while driving in rainy and wet weather conditions: braking and aquaplaning. The new Fulda Carat Progresso improves significantly the driver's safety. Our tests have shown that a car, driving 80km/h and equipped with the new Fulda Carat Progresso stops in average more than four meters earlier than a car equipped with competitive tyres. This distance is more than the length of a car – an advantage that can save lives", explained Koos Nooi, Fulda brand director, Europe, Middle East and Africa.      

Less noise

Another key-benefit is the tyre's reduced noise level, which clearly improves the driver's comfort. The Fulda Progresso is equipped with DualShift technology that leads to the noise reduction.   

One characteristic of the DualShift technology is different block sizes: Each time a block hits the road, it generates noise with a certain frequency. The frequency is defined by how many blocks hit the road surface per second. If all blocks had the same size, each circumferential row of blocks would generate the same frequency. This would lead to a higher overall noise level. By using different block sizes in the shoulder and in the centre area, different noise frequencies are generated, leading to an overall lower noise level.     

Also part of the DualShift Technology is the special position of the different tread sections to each other. The variation of this position causes different frequencies from the shoulder and centre area and reduces the overall noise generation.     

"Wet braking, aquaplaning and noise – these are the main areas consumers expect the best from their tyres. But we have also focused on other benefits: Carat Progresso provides safe handling capabilities and increased kilometres." said Nooi.

Excellent handling

Thanks to solid shoulder blocks and a stable centre area with continuous centre ribs the tyre convinces with an excellent handling performance, also at more elevated speeds.   

The centre area of the tyre transmits the first steering input. Carat Progresso's stable centre area with continuous centre rib allows a precise transmission of the initial steering input – the driver doesn't have to correct his steering input continuously.     

Under cornering the outside part of the tyre is carrying much of   the car's load on its shoulder. Solid shoulder blocks don't start moving and stay stable and provide the driver with sure-footed cornering behaviour. 

High mileage

The high performance wet-grip compound has another advantage: Less heat generation in the tyre tread means less wear – the tyre will last more kilometres. The Fulda engineers also optimized the pressure distribution in the tyre, which leads to a more regular wear and therefore to more kilometres, too. 

The Fulda Carat Progresso will be available in the following 44 sizes and speed ratings:

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