Bridgestone introduces the new Potenza Sport EVO, now based on its ENLITEN technology

The Potenza Sport range from Bridgestone has always been characterised as a sporty yet versatile tyre. In fact, it is a tyre that has received several awards and that, for our part, we were able to test in 2021 on cars of different types, leaving us with very good impressions, especially in wet conditions, which is where the characteristics of a sports tyre can falter.

Now Bridgestone has taken its Potenza Sport to the next level with the new EVO version, created using its own technology called ENLITEN. The new Potenza Sport EVO remain tyres aimed at high-performance vehicles and are also suitable for use on electric cars, with high performance at high speeds but also through corners. Furthermore, as one would expect, they perform well on wet surfaces, which has earned them the A rating from the European Union. To put this in perspective, compared with the previous generation of Potenza Sport, the new EVO achieve a braking distance 5% shorter on wet roads and 2% shorter on dry roads.

Overall, the new Bridgestone Potenza Sport EVO remain a sports tyre but have improved their durability. In fact, they deliver 15% more mileage compared with their predecessor, which translates into about 6,000 additional kilometres. Obviously, these figures cannot be taken literally, as they depend on each driver’s style as well as environmental and road conditions, although they remain a good indication of what this tyre is capable of. Bridgestone has also managed to give the Potenza Sport EVO a reduction of up to 6% in rolling resistance, thereby improving fuel efficiency or the range of electric vehicles.

Understanding how to improve the tyre to achieve the above-described results is something Bridgestone has accomplished thanks to the integration of the ENLITEN technology used by its engineers, which has led to advances in compound technology and design. In this regard, the Potenza Sport EVO features a high-rigidity compound to improve stability in corners and during high-speed manoeuvres. Together with a specific construction with hybrid reinforcement in the crown, a rigid carcass, and a sporty profile with an asymmetric shoulder angle, this allows the tyre to offer excellent control at high speeds.

This new customised compound has optimised inorganic fillers, which are combined with the precisely calculated design of the grooves and tread spaces, resulting in excellent wet grip. An optimised polymer has also been used, with better interaction between the polymer itself and the filler, improving abrasion resistance and durability.

The new Bridgestone Potenza Sport EVO will be available in 139 sizes from 17 to 23 inches, 40 more sizes than its predecessor, thus covering 92% of market demand in the sports segment. Bridgestone has confirmed that they will be available from next January in 92 sizes, while the remaining sizes will be launched in 2027.