Firestone launches Vanhawk Multiseason van tyre

To achieve Firestone’s first ever all-season tyre for European light trucks includes 3PMSF, B-grade wet grip, optimised fuel efficiency

Firestone has released its first all-season tyre for European light trucks. The Vanhawk Multiseason offers winter-ready, fuel efficient performance for year-round use in all weather conditions, Firestone adds. It targets increased business efficiency for small-medium sized fleet operations and private van drivers. With the launch of the Vanhawk Multiseason, the Bridgestone group now has a multi-tier offer for the all-season van segment. It launched the Bridgestone Duravis All Season, a first for its eponymous brand too, last week.

Firestone’s latest addition to the Vanhawk range offers C-grade fuel efficiency in most sizes (with some sizes rated E). To achieve this, the manufacturer balanced pattern stiffness for robust performance in dry conditions, while providing solid mileage.

The Vanhawk Multiseason’s pattern design applies optimised edges and sipes, to combine this fuel efficiency with winter-readiness. The tyre benefits from a compound design for good performance in the snow, developed using simulations and validations in the field. The tyre’s Three Peak Mountain Snow Flake (3PMSF) and Mud + Snow (M+S) markings, make it compliant with all winter legislation in Europe.

The tyre’s B-grade wet grip rating has been achieved thanks to longitudinal grooves to maximise water evacuation. Additionally, Firestone’s nano-selective compound mixing technology has also helped to enhance performance in the wet and snow. Bridgestone’s Nano Pro-tech compound technology helps achieve better silica dispersion, which increases the rubber’s wet weather handling and pliability on snow.

84% market coverage

Developed in Europe, the latest addition to the Vanhawk family will be released in selected sizes in October 2020. The Firestone Vanhawk Multiseason will cover 84 per cent of the market, according to summer Europool demand. It is available in 19 different sizes between 15 and 16”, including three high load sizes (10PR). The range, Firestone says, accommodates almost every type of light truck vehicle and load.

Emilio Tiberio, chief technical officer and chief operating officer at Bridgestone EMIA, commented on the launch of the Firestone Vanhawk Multiseason: “Firestone has always prided itself on providing value for money tyres that offer strong and reliable performance. The Vanhawk Multiseason of course achieves that, but with the added bonus that it can deliver all year long even in the snow and wet, thanks to a holistic design. Alongside optimised fuel efficiency, the tyre is a great choice for small and medium fleets that need long-lasting tyres that can perform in all weather, all year. The Firestone Vanhawk Multiseason is here to help our customers optimise operational costs and maximise business efficiency all year long.”