Steve Fowler, Auto Express Editor in Chief said: “Topping the tables in all four of our wet and dry braking and handling tests, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport is our top summer tyre in 2022. It felt direct and secure in the wet and had a clear braking advantage, too. And with a sporty edge that can take punishment at speed, it's clear that Bridgestone has a tyre to beat the best.”

The ultra-high performance tyre came out on top over six rival products when tested in the 18in size in another significant triumph, having won the AutoBild sportscars’ sports tyre test in 2021.

Potenza Sport best performances in both dry braking and cornering and straight line stability versus competitors in the premium segment were also confirmed by tests carried out by TUV SUD, one of Europe’s most respected independent automotive testing institutes, upon the tyre’s launch last year.^[1]

Andrea Manenti, Vice President, Bridgestone North Region commented: “We are thrilled to win the Auto Express 2022 Summer Test Award, for the Bridgestone Potenza Sport and Bridgestone are extremely proud of the product and this accolade re-enforces the high performance of this tyre”.

Available in 96 sizes from 17’’ to 22”, the Potenza Sport combines Bridgestone’s pioneering spirit and expertise in high performance tyres with extensive market research to keep drivers in control while unlocking the performance of their vehicle. 

When initially developing the tyre, Bridgestone wanted to create a product that met the expectations drivers have in high performance tyres, while also addressing the everyday challenges they face. That is why comprehensive market research was undertaken to begin the Potenza Sport development: Bridgestone interviewed over 3,800 end-users across Europe and their input represented the foundations from which an ultra-high performance tyre was engineered to meet drivers’ needs and expectations of control and confidence. 

To achieve the Potenza Sport’s cutting-edge performance, Bridgestone applied various new, innovative technologies in tread pattern, compound and construction. The tyre’s tread design applies several new cutting-edge features, including innovative 3D sipes to increase shear stiffness, with benefits in braking and abrasion resistance; the compound, thanks to an optimized formula combined with innovative mixing technology, improves wet and dry performances.

Bridgestone also uses a new hybrid crown reinforcement to maximise the tyre’s stability performance at high speed. A sporty carcass package is also applied to increase stability performance and steering response, while optimising rolling resistance. 

Fundamental to the design and creation of the Potenza Sport is Bridgestone’s proprietary timesaving, environmentally friendly virtual tyre development technology. The technology enables Bridgestone to very accurately predict a tyre’s performance at development stage, without physically producing and driving it. Not only does this bring environmental benefits by saving resources, it also reduces the length of the development process and cuts the project’s time to market. 

Bridgestone’s Potenza Sport and its tyre technology as a whole aligns with the Bridgestone E8 Commitment that serves as the axis to drive management while earning the trust of future generations.   The Bridgestone E8 Commitment is a broad, global corporate commitment that clearly defines the value the company is promising to deliver to society, our customers and future generations in eight focus areas; Energy, Ecology, Efficiency, Extension, Economy, Emotion, Ease and Empowerment. These provide a compass to guide strategic priorities, decision making and actions throughout every area of the business.

The Potenza Sport aligns with ‘Emotion: Committed to inspiring excitement and spreading joy to the world of mobility.’

Bridgestone, a global leader in tyres and rubber providing solutions for safe and sustainable mobility, bagged recently the ‘Innovative Sustainable Tyre Technology Provider of the Year’ recognition at the premier 'Sustainability Innovation Awards 2022.’

The company won the award for contributing to safe and fuel-efficient travel through its wide range of innovative tyres. Bridgestone accepted the honour during the awarding ceremony held at Sofitel Dubai The Palm Resort and Spa.

Stefano Sanchini, Regional Managing Director, Bridgestone Middle East and Africa, said: “The latest achievement proves that our efforts to help build a sustainable mobility future have been making a huge difference in our industry. This further inspires us to intensify our initiatives by deploying the right technologies and embracing other innovations that will propel our shared sustainability agenda. Our efforts will remain guided by our mission focusing on ‘Serving Society with Superior Quality’ and Bridgestone Group’s worldwide ‘Our Way to Serve’ Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) commitment.”

“We would like to thank the organisers and judges for recognising our contribution towards innovation and excellence. With sustainability as our focus, we will further strengthen our commitment to research and development in the coming years. Congratulations to the entire Bridgestone family on yet another milestone this year,” he added.     

The Sustainability Innovation Awards 2022 is one of the leading events that honours the sustainability initiatives and projects of all sectors in the Middle East. The Awards recognises individual excellence, corporate strengths, and project success.

Bridgestone has been active in linking its business model to circular economy and carbon neutrality across the value chain. This has led to the implementation of its numerous sustainability programs such as its carbon footprint reduction initiatives.

Reducing its carbon emissions forms part of the tyre company’s long-term environmental goals, which include contributing to Milestone 2030 and fulfilling the initiatives under its   E8 Commitment.

The E8 Commitment is a powerful expression of Bridgestone’s corporate commitment towards 2030. It provides a framework for the company’s continued evolution as Bridgestone 3.0 and the transformation of its business model.

Aiming to become a leader in sustainable mobility and advanced mobility solutions, Bridgestone remains committed to pushing the boundaries of what is possible in engineering to deliver new cutting-edge and sustainable products.

The event was held to honour and reward the champions of the truck and fleet sectors for their outstanding performance. Bridgestone secured the award in recognition of the organization’s contribution towards innovation and excellence, as demonstrated by their wide range of technologically advanced products and services. These innovative technologies have been aimed at fulfilling the pressing demands on the tyre industry to deliver products that aid safe and fuel-efficient travel. The award further highlights Bridgestone’s calibre in producing innovations and state-of-the-art technology that help make cities smarter and safer.

Stefano Sanchini, Regional Managing Director, Bridgestone Middle East and Africa said, “Bridgestone is delighted to have earned this award in recognition of our innovative capabilities. Technology constitutes the foundation of our vision for the future as we continue to transform into a mobility solutions provider. We are striving to embed the most advanced solutions that will promote safety, efficiency, and sustainability. This award is especially dedicated to the valuable employees at Bridgestone, who put in a tremendous amount of hard work to embody our mission statement- ‘Serving society with superior quality.’”

Bridgestone has always been the champion for encouraging innovations in the tyre industry. Their smart tyres are focused on enhancing driver experience by utilizing exciting future technology that provides real-time road surface condition information and evaluation to the driver through a sensor located inside the tire tread. The sensor wirelessly sends the information to the vehicle's analytical equipment, and this information is then transmitted directly to the driver through an in-car display.

Some other advancements have been Bridgestone’s iTrack solutions, a new monitoring system for detecting tyre damage issues in real-time, TPMS for mining and off-the-road tyres, and Webfleet Solutions- whose applications range from transport management systems and on-board cameras to mileage and HGV specific navigation.

Bridgestone has always set a high benchmark as a leader in tyre innovation. By securing this award, the company has further underlined its commitment to create more innovative and sustainable technologies while also supporting global communities.

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