What Car? Winners a Boost to Bridgestone

Bridgestone is celebrating after two top-selling cars shod with its run-flat tyres scooped back-to-back What Car? Car of the Year awards. The BMW 3 Series and BMW 5 Series, which are fitted exclusively with Bridgestone Potenza RE050A RFT tyres in a range of sizes, took the ‘Compact Executive’ and ‘Executive Car’ titles respectively in the awards – just as they did in 2006.

The What Car? judges praised the ride and refinement of both vehicles in naming them category champions, a decision Bridgestone, according to a company press release, believe was “aided by the impressive performance capabilities of the latest-generation run-flat rubber.”

“It’s always pleasing to see Bridgestone-shod cars scoop awards, but especially so when the cars in question are fitted with run-flats like the Potenza RE050A RFT as standard factory equipment,” said Andy Lane, marketing manager for Bridgestone UK.

“The reinforced sidewall technology that enables run-flats to function has previously been criticised for compromising the ride experience, but in winning the What Car? awards BMW has proven that is no longer the case.

“The company is one of several leading manufacturers that continue to show total faith in the technology, safe in the knowledge that our latest-generation RFT tyres deliver exceptional performance in all areas, coupled with the additional safety and space-saving benefits associated with tyres of this kind.”

Bridgestone tyres are fitted to more than 10 individual category winners in the What Car? 2007 Car of the Year awards. Other winning cars include the Volkswagen Passat, available on Turanza ER300 tyres, which took the Family Car of the Year title, and the new Audi TT, available on Potenza RE050A rubber, which came out on top in the Coupé of the Year category.