Bridgestone's Blizzak DM-V2 - Tire Review

Next Generation Blizzak

A popular skiing destination, Steamboat Springs, Colo., is known for its ideal wintry weather. In fact, the city has a registered trademark for the phrase “Ski Town, U.S.A.”

But wintry was not in the weather forecast for Bridgestone’s Blizzak DM-V2 launch, which would’ve occurred at Bridgestone’s Winter Driving School in Steamboat Springs had the unseasonably warm weather not melted Bridgestone’s well-groomed winter driving course.Blizzak-DM-V2

The driving experience may have been cancelled, but Bridgestone’s Anant Gandhi was still able to give Tire Review a first look into what’s new with DM-V2, and how the company is “setting the benchmark for the industry as a whole.”

Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 is designed specifically for CUVs, SUVs and pickup trucks. The newest Blizzak winter tire replaces DM-V1 and will be available for dealers to order in the first quarter of this year, with deliveries starting July 1.

For this next generation studless winter tire, Bridgestone engineers focused on improvements in multiple aspects of winter driving: braking and handling on ice, wet handling, snow and slush handling, and dry handling. Bridgestone’s Gandhi said that the Bridgestone team was especially focused on improving ice braking and handling.

“DM-V2 features Blizzak’s latest multi-cell tread compound, meaning that at a microscopic level the tread is porous,” said Gandhi. “Those pores act like a sponge and pull the thin level of water on top of the ice,” increasing traction on ice.

Gandhi noted that Bridgestone also incorporated a hydrophilic coating – originally introduced on the Blizzak WS80 – which acts like a magnet to pull more water into the cells and away from the contact patch. These two features last the first 55% of the tire’s tread life, he noted.

The tire’s tread pattern also features 15% more biting edges than its predecessor, increasing its snow-shearing force.

Another feature incorporated on the Blizzak DM-V2 is a micro texture pattern. “With previous generation winter or multi-cell type tires, the tires required a break-in period before they reached a peak level of performance,” said Gandhi. This micro texture pattern provides drivers with immediate high-level winter performance. The micro texture pattern will wear away, according to Gandhi, but when it does, the tire relies on the above-mentioned features for continuing performance.

The Blizzak DM-V2 tire, which is produced in Japan, will be priced comparably to its predecessor. The winter tire has earned the Three Peak Mountain Snowflake symbol. Bridgestone expects to have 50 sizes – from 15- to 22-inch wheel diameters, T and H speed ratings – available to consumers by fall.

You May Also Like

NRS Brakes Releases Brake Pads for Tesla 3

NRS Brakes says its galvanized backing plates ensure no rust or corrosion occurs from lack of use due to regen braking.

NRS-Tesla-Brake-Pads

NRS Brakes has designed galvanized brake pads for the Tesla Model 3 specifically for electric/hybrid vehicle technology.

The company says (ADAS) vehicles demand a higher quality of all parts, especially safety items such as brakes.

As moisture creeps through the porous nature of the friction material, it is compromising the untreated backing plat, NRS Brakes says. Usually, moisture in the friction material is dissipated as heat is created through normal braking routines.

Clore Automotive Has New Model of Light-N-Carry Torch Light

The company says the Light-N-Carry LNC375 delivers a high-intensity beam from its LED light engine and features a zoomable torch setting that allows the user to choose a broader or more focused area of illumination.

Charging-Light-n-Carry
Gaither Tool Develops ‘World’s Safest Jack’

The Moore-Safe uses interchangeable heads to cradle undercar components to reduce the chance of slippage due to misplacement or a shifting load.

Moore-Safe-Gaither-Tool
Raybestos Adds European Coverage to Element3, R-Line

Raybestos will supersede all Specialty European part numbers into Element3 and will discontinue the Specialty European brake pad line.

Raybestos-Line
Clore Automotive Releases New Light-N-Carry Work Light

Clore Automotive’s new torch lights feature a zoomable torch setting that allows the user to choose a broader or more focused area of illumination.

Light-n-carry-clore-automotive

Other Posts

ATE Original Brake Pads Released for European Makes, Models

ATE Original Brake Pads are engineered for low heat transmission to prevent pedal failure and are also equipped with underlayers and noise damping sheets to minimize noise and provide a smooth operation.

ATE-Original-Brake-Pads
Hunter Engineering Debuts HunterNet Trend Reports

HunterNet Trend Reports offers in-depth performance reports for shop managers and owners to see shop performance over time.

PushReport-Hunter
Petlas Releases New Forklift Tire

Petlas says the Solid ST has a four-layer structure, helping the tire demonstrate great wear behavior and resistance to cuts, chips and wear.

Petlas-Solid-ST-Forklift-Tire
KYB Releases New Part Numbers Covering 21M Vehicles

KYB’s new products include 14 new truck-plus numbers; one performance truck assembly; and 13 assemblies with leveling kits.

KYB-Leveling-Kit