11/03/2021

New top-class sports tyre” Bridgestone Potenza Sport named winner of AutoBild sportscars’ 2021 sports tyre test

Bridgestone’s new flagship sports tyre, Potenza Sport, has been named winner of AutoBild sportscars’ 2021 sports tyre test. Scoring ahead of tyres from eight other manufacturers, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport, tested on a Ford Mustang 5.0 in the size 265/35 ZR 20, was given the overall best score in the wet and top ratings on dry roads to be classed as “exemplary” by the German magazine.

Bridgestone’s ultra-high performance tyre, Potenza Sport, proved to have the shortest braking distance in the dry of all profiles and was deemed to be in the test’s top two performers for dry handling. In the wet, Bridgestone Potenza Sport again had the shortest braking distance, and was awarded overall best in wet handling and best wet weather performance on a circular track. The flagship sports tyre was also awarded a strong aquaplaning performance to contribute to what AutoBild sportscars described as “a completely new benchmark” for wet handling.

AutoBild sportscars’ 2021 sports tyre test was the tyre’s first test conducted by an independent car magazine, but not its first accolade. TÜV SÜD, one of Europe’s most respected independent automotive testing institutes, awarded Bridgestone Potenza Sport the best performance in both dry braking and cornering and straight line stability versus competitors in the premium segment upon the tyre’s launch.1 TÜV SÜD also deemed Bridgestone Potenza Sport, which has an EU label A-grade in wet grip across its full line-up, best performer in wet cornering and handling.1

Developed and manufactured in Europe, Bridgestone Potenza Sport is available in 96 sizes – from 17’’ to 22”, covering a wide range of passenger cars and on-road SUVs, ranging from premium sedans and SUVs to luxury and prestige cars.

“This is fantastic recognition for what we already knew to be market-leading performance from Bridgestone Potenza Sport,” said Daniel Giroud, Chief Sales Officer at Bridgestone EMIA. “To be named overall test winner by such a prestigious publication, in such a high quality field, is testament to the capabilities of our new flagship sports tyre. After recent landmark test results for our other premium tyre products, such as the Bridgestone Turanza T005 summer tyre and Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 winter tyre, our long-term ambition to pioneer premium high-value tyres that top the test magazine podiums is stronger than ever. With Potenza Sport, Bridgestone engineered an ultra-high performance tyre that keeps drivers in control while unlocking the performance of their vehicle. Potenza Sport is truly a new excellence in sports performance.”

*1 Tests carried out by TÜV SÜD on the request of Bridgestone in July-September 2020 at the facilities Bridgestone EUPG (Italy) for dry and wet tests with Audi S4 3.0 TFSI, on tyre size 245/40 R18. Potenza Sport compared to the performances of main competitors in the same segment: Continental PremiumContact6, Michelin Pilot Sport 4, Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5, Pirelli P Zero PZ4. Annex Report No. [713190691-PS].Straight stability, rating: Bridgestone Potenza Sport (9.33), Continental Premium Contact 6 (9.00), Michelin Pilot Sport 4(8.67), Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 (8.67), Pirelli P Zero PZ4 (8.56).Cornering stability, rating: Bridgestone Potenza Sport (9.21), Continental Premium Contact 6 (8.13), Michelin Pilot Sport 4 (8.67), Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 (8.33), Pirelli P Zero PZ4 (8.58).Dry braking distance (100 km/h to 0 km/h), metres : Bridgestone Potenza Sport (33.4), Continental Premium Contact 6 (35.4), Michelin Pilot Sport 4 (34.5), Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 (35.9), Pirelli P Zero PZ4 (34.8). Wet Cornering - Lateral wet grip (lateral acceleration) in meters/second2 : Bridgestone Potenza Sport (7.06), Continental Premium Contact 6 (6.42), Michelin Pilot Sport 4 (6.45), Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 (6.63), Pirelli P Zero PZ4 (7.03). Wet handling (subjective evaluation and average speed) average rating and in km/h: Bridgestone Potenza Sport (9.19; 90.87), Continental Premium Contact 6 (7.97; 87.32), Michelin Pilot Sport 4 (8.28; 87.84), Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 (8.25; 88.05), Pirelli P Zero PZ4 (8.72; 89.12).