Bridgestone comes to the 86th Geneva International Motor Show, 3rd to 13th March, with a 250 m² stand presenting its latest innovations for all types of motorists and vehicles.
New DriveGuard: extended mobility and safety with no compromise in comfort and handling
Top of the list of Bridgestone’s latest safety solutions is DriveGuard. Offering extended mobility to most cars with TPMS – without sacrificing high-level comfort or wet and dry handling – Bridgestone DriveGuard promises to be an innovative game-changer for the end-user in the European tyre replacement market.
Also on display and seen for the first time in Geneva is Bridgestone DriveGuard Winter, officially launched at the Geneva Motor Show and available in Europe from June 2016. With TPMS mandatory for all new cars in Europe since November 2014, DriveGuard can now claim “safety for all” even in winter conditions.
…See the technology, understand the concept!
A cross-section display of the Bridgestone DriveGuard tyre gives visitors a close-up view of Bridgestone’s extended-mobility technology with hi-tech cooling fin design and reinforced rubber sidewalls. Visitors can also follow the compelling logic of the DriveGuard concept through a “virtual reality” experience of the puncture scenario, leaving the driver in total control and able to drive on for 80 km at speeds of up to 80 km/h.
Premium tyre line-up
On show under the premium Bridgestone brand is Potenza S001, the exclusive original fitment to the plug-in hybrid BMW i8 sports car on which it is displayed. Potenza S001 has been engineered to deliver the power and precision demanded by the world’s top high-performance sports cars.
For the touring segment, Bridgestone presents its flagship Turanza T001 premium tyre, designed for optimal harmony between safety, comfort, durability and environmental performance. A cross-section display reveals the design behind high-speed stability and silky smooth comfort.
Also on display are Ecopia EP500 developed with Bridgestone’s award-winning ologic technology, which provides important efficiencies in aerodynamic and rolling resistance, and the Air Free Concept Tyre (non-pneumatic) aimed at providing a fully-sustainable “cradle to cradle” tyre solution in the future.
Firestone revival
The left-hand side of the stand is dedicated to the Firestone brand and its big come-back in Europe. With a competitive new product line-up and aspirational appeal to the young at heart, Firestone is once again competing strongly in the mid segment and receiving heavy support from Bridgestone across Europe as a key brand in the Bridgestone multi-brand strategy.
Firestone Destination Winter: freedom to drive your SUV in winter
First seen here at this Geneva Motor Show, the new Firestone Destination Winter tyre is displayed next to its older brother, Firestone Destination HP summer tyre launched in 2014. With an EU Label B rating for wet grip, Destination Winter promises drivers of small- and mid-sized SUVs the highest level of reassurance of any mid-segment winter tyre currently available in Europe, as well as top-level control on ice and snow.
Multiseason for milder, mixed winters
Also displayed is Firestone Multiseason, a safe solution for motorists in milder European climates where unpredictable winter weather can throw up rain or snow in quick succession. With solid wet braking, high resistance to hydroplaning and proven traction in snow, Multiseason focuses on being safe when you need it most.
Connecting with the young at heart
Adding glitter and colour to the stand is the Firestone Music Tour video wall, showing visitors how Firestone reaches out to its core target audience with an innovative sponsoring programme at major music festivals across Europe. Supported by various activations on the event premises, this event will continue to keep the brand top of mind in 2016.
Last but not least, a video traces Firestone’s glorious history with Indycar racing and the Indianapolis 500. Firestone tyres won the first Indy 500 in 1911 and will still be there when the 100th race is run in May 2016. Indycar racing is in the heart and soul of Firestone and its iconic Firehawk racing slick.
