Bridgestone Launches Four New Tires for 2013

At its 2013 Drive and Learn product introduction in Las Vegas last week, Bridgestone Americas rolled out four new tires to dealers and media.
Event participants put the new Dueler H/P Sport AS to the test at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Introduced – and put to the test on the Las Vegas Motor Speedway – were the Dueler H/P Sport AS and Potenza RE97AS, while two more tires – the new Potenza RE-11A and Blizzak LM-32 – were unveiled but not tested.

The all-season Dueler H/P Sport AS, designed for a wide variety of pickups, SUVs and CUVs, “combines traction and toughness while also providing superior driving performance, comfort and reliability,” the tiremaker said. The new Dueler features a high silica compound for wet traction; high angle slots and circumferential grooves for water evacuation; and a high stiffness closed shoulder for cornering and handling.

The tire is available in 10 H, V and W speed-rated sizes ranging from 17- to 20-inch wheel diameters, and features a 40,000-mile limited treadwear warranty.

The all-season Potenza RE97AS offers quick and responsive handling combined with a smooth, refined ride, according to the tiremaker. The tire also offers high silica content and circumferential grooves, in addition to a finely-tuned tread pattern for upgraded steering feel and responsiveness; stiffened shoulder blocks for improved cornering; and an optimized footprint that promotes even contact pressure for enhanced wear.

The tire, available in 25 sizes ranging from 16- to 19-inch wheel diameters, carries a 55,000-mile limited treadwear warranty for V-rated sizes and a 45,000-mile limited treadwear warranty for W-rated sizes.

Both the Dueler H/P Sport AS and Potenza RE97AS carry Bridgestone’s “Eco-Product Designation,” which signifies the tires offer improved rolling resistance and reduced tire weight, in addition to using “environmentally-conscious” materials, such as non-aromatic oils.

The Blizzak LM-32, designed for luxury sedans and performance vehicles originally fitted with all-season or summer tires, will be available in July in 33 V and W speed-rated sizes ranging from 16- to 20-inch wheel diameters. Bridgestone said the tire features specially designed polymers and tread pattern elements to help provide the extra grip and control needed on any winter road.

The new Potenza RE-11A, the tiremaker added, maintains the tread design of the current Potenza RE-11 while providing “an enhanced tread compound designed to provide faster lap times, higher speeds on the track and improved braking and cornering, while maintaining durability.” The tire is available in 10 V and W speed-rated sizes ranging from 15- to 18-inch wheel diameters – sizes that focus on sports-compact cars that are recognized favorites among autocross enthusiasts, Bridgestone said.