Potenza S001 OE for Audi A1

Bridgestone has confirmed its Potenza S001 is being supplied for original equipment fitment on Audi’s A1. Deliveries of the tyre in size 225/35 R18 87W began last September, the fourth OE supply deal for the Potenza S001 since its launch in February 2010. The Bridgestone tyre is also supplied to the Audi RS5, Aston Martin Rapide and Ferrari 458 Italia. Continental also supplies original equipment tyres for the Audi A1; in February 2011 it reported supply of its ContiSportContact 3 and the ContiPremiumContact 2 tyres in 15, 16 and 18-inch sizes.

“Bridgestone is proud to have met the demanding performance targets set by Audi” said Didier Schneider, vice president Original Equipment, Bridgestone Europe. “The sharp response and precision of the Potenza S001 complements the sporty characteristics of the Audi A1.”

In addition to OE fitments, the Potenza has drawn favourable attention from several European motoring publications since its release just over a year ago; Germany’s Sport Auto magazine declared the S001 “test winner” and the new “wet performance benchmark” in its 2010 test of 11 leading UHP tyre brands. Auto Zeitung also tested the S001 last year and awarded it the top classification of “highly recommendable”, citing the Potenza’s “balanced performance” and “precise steering”. In March 2011, Auto Motor und Sport named the tyre “highly recommendable” and described it as having “first-class braking ability and excellent handling in the dry” and “good driving characteristics on wet roads.”