Bridgestone Adrenalin RE002 designed for fun

Bridgestone aims to bring high performance to the smaller, sporty version of evergreen mass market brands with the Potenza Adrenalin RE002. The manufacturer describes this as being “designed with the sport conscious, thrill seeking driver in mind, possessing the ability to transform any car into a spirited, superior vehicle.” It has a line-up of sizes that includes 15 to 16 inch fitments for models such as the Fiesta RS and sports model Astra. It is, in Bridgestone’s opinion, “at its best on Britain’s maze of B roads and lanes.”

Communications manager Andy Dingley said that the aftermarket-only Adrenalin RE002 compliments the flagship Potenza S001 and is aimed at motorists who were searching for a more sporty experience: “The Adrenalin RE002 represents the fun, quality end of the market and doesn’t compete with the S001.”

The silica based top compound, high grip shoulder blocks and solid contact centre rib design are all intended to work together to provide excellent dry handling.  This tyre is, the tyre maker continues, fashioned to provide drivers with better traction, sharp steering performance and advanced cornering capabilities – distinct characteristics that allow drivers to experience a truly exhilarating ride.

The top of the Bridgestone high performance range continues to be occupied by the Potenza S001, which added run-flat fitments early in the year. Historically, run-flat fitments have been criticised for their ride characteristics and when asked about the difficulties of pairing ultra-high performance with the requirements of run-flat technology, Dingley added: “There are always design issues to consider, and the S001 RFT was no different. 

“However we employed new technologies to counter these. Our aim was to get within five per cent of the standard product for vertical stiffness. To achieve this, it was necessary to reduce sidewall gauge thickness, and to do so we used different compounds and sidewall gums, and also employed cooling fins that utilise airflow to reduce sidewall temperature in flat mode. The combination of these measures made the comfort improvements possible.”

Summing up the company’s current high portfolio for this segment, Dingley concluded: “The innovative designs of the RE002, S001 and its run-flat equivalent illustrate what Bridgestone is capable of – effectively pairing high-performance and wet grip to produce a first-class tyre.”