PHOENIX—Bridgestone Americas has unveiled next-generation versions of its ultra-high-performance Potenza and fuel-efficient Ecopia lines.
The Potenza RE-71R is an improvement over the Potenza RE11A performance tire, according to company officials, who called the tire “the most extreme ultra-high-performance street tire to date.”
Tuned for maximum handling on the track and engineered to deliver faster lap times, the Potenza RE-71R tire is designed to fit sports cars, coupes and sedans popular with today's enthusiast drivers, the company said during a recent ride-and-drive event for journalists in Phoenix.
The Potenza RE-71R tire features a newly developed tread compound that increases contact with the road surface, giving more grip when cornering and braking, the company said.
The tire also features a wide center rib for responsive performance; shoulder stiffness for constant rubber-to-road contact in sharp turns; and wide circumferential grooves and an angled directional pattern to provide drainage in wet conditions.
The Potenza is available in 29 sizes in 15- to 19-inch rim diameters, 55 to 35 series, and speed ratings of V and W. An additional four sizes are expected this summer, and Bridgestone said there are plans to expand the Potenza RE-71R tire line-up further in 2016.
The tire is targeted to owners of Honda S2000, Mazda Miata and BMW 3 Series, among others. The tire launch is being supported with ads in trade magazines and promotions at racing events and car club events.
The Ecopia EP422 Plus provides 23-percent better rolling resistance than its EP422 predecessor, according to the Nashville, Tenn.-based tire maker, which is targeting the tire for fitment on Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima, and Ford Fusion, among other vehicle models.
The fuel savings offered by the Ecopia EP422 Plus tire contribute to the company's global goal to improve tire rolling resistance by 25 percent by 2020, Bridgestone said.
The all-season tire also provides improved ride comfort, according to Bridgestone, and carries a 70,000-mile treadwear warranty. The tire is available in 43 sizes, ranging from 15- to 18-inch rim diameters in H, T and V speed ratings.
The Ecopia EP422 Plus will be supported with in-store and digital ad materials, as well as a TV commercial featuring comedian Kim Jeong.
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