New Audi Q7 to Sport Bridgestone Tyres

The wait is nearly over for one of the most eagerly anticipated new car models of the year, as Audi prepares to deliver the first UK specification versions of its Q7 sport utility vehicle (SUV) next month. The striking newcomer is the company’s first-ever large off-road vehicle, and will be the first car on UK roads to be fitted with Bridgestone’s new Dueler H/P Sport tyres.

The tough, seven-seat all-terrain vehicle with luxury saloon refinement launches with a choice of two engines – a 4.2-litre V8 with FSI petrol direct injection, producing 350PS, and a refined 3.0-litre TDI V6, delivering 233PS. Both engines will transmit their power via six-speed automatic transmission.

The car’s powerful performance and excellent handling capabilities are complemented by its Dueler H/P Sport tyres – Bridgestone’s first 4×4 tyre derived from Formula One technology.

Designed to give precision and comfort to drivers, the Dueler H/P Sport helps provide the new generation of high-performance SUVs with the same driving characteristics enjoyed by powerful sports saloons: excellent on-road wet and dry handling, sharp steering precision, and maximum in-car comfort.

The tyre’s tread pattern design is fully symmetrical up to 18 inch rim sizes, while the 19 inch and 20 inch sizes are designed with an asymmetrical pattern, providing the extra performance required by higher-powered models. Block stiffness is increased on the outside shoulder and by the tie-bar centre ribs on the larger sizes, to achieve the impressive handling capabilities.

Andy Lane, marketing manager at Bridgestone UK, said: “Our high-performance Potenza range has been providing a wide range of powerful saloon cars with excellent grip and control for many years, and with the increasing number of SUVs now capable of speeds of more than 140mph it was vital we integrated this technology into our Dueler 4×4 range.

“We expect the Audi Q7 to be tremendously popular in the UK – and therefore on tyre depot forecourts too. And with more high-profile original equipment fitments in the pipeline, the Dueler H/P Sport is set to be equally popular in the tyre replacement market,” added Lane.

The Dueler H/P Sport is now available in 11 sizes, from 50 to 65 series, with a further 20 sizes to follow by August 2006.