Potenza S001 Run-Flat to be Displayed at the Geneva Motor Show
Tokyo (March 1, 2011) – Bridgestone Corporation announced today that the Potenza S001 RFT will be displayed at the Geneva Motor Show, held from March 1 (Tuesday) to March 13 (Sunday), 2011, in Geneva, Switzerland.
The Potenza S001 RFT, which hit the market in 2010, combines superior performance in both dry and wet conditions with the safety and environmental friendliness characteristics of Bridgestone's Run-Flat tire technology*1 . The Potenza S001utilizes Bridgestone's third-generation Run-Flat tire technology,*2 delivering ride quality and comfort comparable to the Potenza S001.
Launched in 2010, the Potenza S001 high performance tire is currently standard fitment on the Ferrari 458 Italia, Aston Martin Rapide, and Lexus LFA.The Potenza S001 RFT on display at the Geneva Motor Show will be available in four sizes, and will be launched in the European replacement market in August 2011, followed by the global market.
* Although the most effective measure to improve ride quality of a sidewall-reinforced Run-Flat tire is to make the sidewalls thinner and softer, such a structure generates more heat when the tire is operating at low or zero pressure since the flexing action at the sidewalls becomes more intense. Overcoming this heat generation issue was the major challenge in our efforts to improve ride quality while maintaining/enhancing Run-Flat durability.
The Potenza S001 RFT, which hit the market in 2010, combines superior performance in both dry and wet conditions with the safety and environmental friendliness characteristics of Bridgestone's Run-Flat tire technology*1 . The Potenza S001utilizes Bridgestone's third-generation Run-Flat tire technology,*2 delivering ride quality and comfort comparable to the Potenza S001.
1. New sidewall-reinforced rubber construction reduces heat generation
Through the use of NanoPro-Tech™ technology, Bridgestone has developed a new sidewall-reinforced rubber construction with improved carbon dispersion. The new sidewall construction reduces the friction that occurs between carbon molecules when the tire is loaded, thus reducing heat generation. Compared with the second-generation sidewall-reinforced rubber, the new sidewall construction can reduce heat generation by half due to deformation of tire sidewalls when driving on tires that have lost air pressure.
2. Cooling Fin Technology cools the tire sidewall
Bridgestone's COOLING FIN technology helps cool the tire sidewall through the use of protrusions or fins molded into the sidewall that direct airflow toward the center of the wheel. The airflow generated by this design helps to cool the heat generated in tire sidewall when driving on tires that have lost air pressure.
Launched in 2010, the Potenza S001 high performance tire is currently standard fitment on the Ferrari 458 Italia, Aston Martin Rapide, and Lexus LFA.The Potenza S001 RFT on display at the Geneva Motor Show will be available in four sizes, and will be launched in the European replacement market in August 2011, followed by the global market.
* 1 Run-Flat tires are tires that can be driven on with zero inflation pressure for limited distances at reduced speeds.
Under normal driving conditions at 0kPa inflation pressure, they can be driven for up to 80km at 80km/h (ISO technical standard). The run-flat (when inflation pressure is 0kPa) distance drivable of 80km is the distance drivable under test conditions based on ISO technical standard for technology. Actual driving distance may vary based on load, ambient temperature, etc.
Under normal driving conditions at 0kPa inflation pressure, they can be driven for up to 80km at 80km/h (ISO technical standard). The run-flat (when inflation pressure is 0kPa) distance drivable of 80km is the distance drivable under test conditions based on ISO technical standard for technology. Actual driving distance may vary based on load, ambient temperature, etc.
* 2 Third Generation Run-Flat Tires
Bridgestone's mainstay run-flat tires are those with reinforced rubber in their sidewalls. When Bridgestone began mass production of Run-Flat tires in 1987, the ride was considered by some drivers to be hard compared to conventional tires due to the thickness and stiffness of the sidewall design. In 2005, Run-Flat tires advanced to the second generation, featuring enhanced ride quality through the improvement of sidewall-reinforced rubber. With the adoption of “heat controlling technologies,” * third generation Run-Flat tires could be constructed with thinner and softer sidewalls. This construction enabled a level of ride comfort comparable to that of conventional tires. Third generation Run-Flat tires are also lighter than previous Run-Flat designs. These “heat controlling technologies” also enable the development of Run-Flat tires in a wider range of sizes.
Bridgestone's mainstay run-flat tires are those with reinforced rubber in their sidewalls. When Bridgestone began mass production of Run-Flat tires in 1987, the ride was considered by some drivers to be hard compared to conventional tires due to the thickness and stiffness of the sidewall design. In 2005, Run-Flat tires advanced to the second generation, featuring enhanced ride quality through the improvement of sidewall-reinforced rubber. With the adoption of “heat controlling technologies,” * third generation Run-Flat tires could be constructed with thinner and softer sidewalls. This construction enabled a level of ride comfort comparable to that of conventional tires. Third generation Run-Flat tires are also lighter than previous Run-Flat designs. These “heat controlling technologies” also enable the development of Run-Flat tires in a wider range of sizes.
* Although the most effective measure to improve ride quality of a sidewall-reinforced Run-Flat tire is to make the sidewalls thinner and softer, such a structure generates more heat when the tire is operating at low or zero pressure since the flexing action at the sidewalls becomes more intense. Overcoming this heat generation issue was the major challenge in our efforts to improve ride quality while maintaining/enhancing Run-Flat durability.
About Bridgestone Corporation:
Bridgestone Corporation, headquartered in Tokyo, is the world's largest tire and rubber company. In addition to tires for use in a wide variety of applications, it also manufactures a broad range of diversified products, which include industrial rubber and chemical products and sporting goods. Its products are sold in over 150 nations and territories around the world.
Bridgestone Corporation, headquartered in Tokyo, is the world's largest tire and rubber company. In addition to tires for use in a wide variety of applications, it also manufactures a broad range of diversified products, which include industrial rubber and chemical products and sporting goods. Its products are sold in over 150 nations and territories around the world.
