October 11, 2005
Bridgestone’s Potenza S-02 Pole Position and Potenza S-03 Pole Position Max Performance Summer tires earned a class-leading reputation thanks to the combination of wet and dry performance they provided. Bridgestone’s Potenza RE050, RE050A and RE050A Scuderia tires initially achieved their status from the high-performance BMW, Mercedes-Benz AMG and Ferrari models for which they were chosen as Original Equipment. The new Bridgestone Potenza RE050A Pole Position line is designed to benefit from the genetics handed down from all of these tire lines and will continue Bridgestone’s Pole Position heritage as it replaces all non-Original Equipment Potenza S-03 Pole Position and Potenza RE050A tires.
Since the Potenza RE050A Pole Position’s introduction in February 2006 would preclude our ability to schedule a complete test for the team in South Bend, Bridgestone invited selected members of Tire Rack team to join them in late 2005 for a pre-introduction preview of their new Pole Position tire. This would give us a chance to learn how much of a performance and comfort difference the new Potenza RE050A Pole Position’s revised tread design (on 10 of 24 sizes), higher 90% silica content tread compound and handling-optimized internal construction modifications would make compared to other Max Performance Summer tires.
We were provided the opportunity to compare pre-production, but production-spec Potenza RE050A Pole Position tires to Bridgestone’s current Potenza S-03 Pole Position, as well as Goodyear’s Eagle F1 GS-D3 and Michelin’s Pilot Sport PS2. Our evaluation used the 2006 BMW 325i sedan with new, full tread depth 225/45R17-sized tires mounted on 17"x8" wheels.
Our 5.6-mile loop of expressway, state highway and county roads provides a great variety of road conditions that include city and highway speeds, smooth and coarse concrete, as well as new and patched asphalt. This route allows our team to experience noise comfort, ride quality and everyday handling, just as you would during your drive to school or work.
All of the Max Performance Summer tires in this test displayed appropriate road manners, where responsive real world handling is valued ahead of a boulevard ride quality and absence of tread noise. While there were differences, they were subtle.
The Eagle F1 GS-D3 produced the best ride quality with the Pilot Sport PS2 and Potenza RE050A Pole Position close behind. The Potenza RE050A Pole Position produced the least amount of tread and impact noise with the Eagle F1 GS-D3 and Pilot Sport PS2 close behind. Road handling levels were appropriate for all tires in the test. The Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 was the most responsive, closely followed by the Eagle F1 GS-D3 and the Potenza RE050A Pole Position.
Our 1/3-mile per lap test track course includes 90-degree street corners, lane changes and simulated expressway ramps. Run in both dry and wet conditions, the test track allows our team to experience the traction, responsiveness, handling and drivability normally only encountered during abrupt emergency avoidance maneuvers or competition events.
In dry conditions, the average lap times for all of the Max Performance Summer tires were within about 1/2 second of each other, showing just how close the group is. The Pilot Sport PS2 showed a slight advantage by providing progressive handling and traction that allowed it to lap the course in 29.412 seconds and generate a little more grip around the skidpad. The Potenza RE050A Pole Position was scarcely 8/100 of a second slower and the Eagle F1 GS-D3 was 2/10 of a second back. The Potenza S-03 Pole Position felt predictable but was about 1/2 second back lacking the ultimate dry traction of the other tires.
In the wet, the difference between the tires was more pronounced. Here, the Potenza RE050A Pole Position showed an advantage by providing the progressive handling and traction that allowed it to lap the course in 31.783 seconds and generate more grip around the skidpad. The Pilot Sport PS2 was 1/2 second slower and the Eagle F1 GS-D3 was only 7/100 of a second further back. The Potenza S-03 Pole Position again felt predictable but was about 1.1 seconds back lacking the ultimate wet traction of the other tires (a capability that it was best in class in just a few years ago). The results showed just how far new tire wet traction and handling has come.
Bridgestone Potenza RE050A Pole Position (Max Performance Summer): Bridgestone’s Potenza S-02 Pole Position and Potenza S-03 Pole Position Max Performance Summer tires earned their front row starting positions when they were introduced thanks to the combination of the wet and dry performance they provided. Bridgestone’s Potenza RE050A Pole Position Max Performance Summer tire was developed to continue that heritage for sports car, sports coupe and sport sedan drivers. The Potenza RE050A Pole Position is designed to provide exceptional dry and wet road traction along with more responsive handling than the Potenza RE050A. Like all summer tires, it is not intended to be driven in the snow.
Bridgestone Potenza S-03 Pole Position (Max Performance Summer): The Potenza S-03 Pole Position was developed to meet the needs of the drivers of high performance sports cars, coupes and sedans by bringing Bridgestone’s F1 tire technology and design to the streets while blending dry and wet traction without abandoning comfort and wear. The Potenza S-03 Pole Position features Bridgestone’s UNI-T AQ II Technology that uses advanced compound and construction features to enhance and preserve wet traction through the tire’s life. Like all summer tires, it is not intended to be driven in the snow.
Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 (Max Performance Summer): The Eagle F1 GS-D3 is Goodyear’s Max Performance radial that was developed in Europe for driving enthusiasts around the world who want more performance from their factory stock or aftermarket tuned sports cars, sporty coupes and performance sedans. Like all summer tires, it is not intended to be driven in the snow. Read more.
Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 (Max Performance Summer): The Pilot Sport PS2 is a Max Performance Summer tire member of the Michelin Pilot family of low profile, high-speed tires. Initially developed for Original Equipment (O.E.) on some of the world’s most prestigious sports cars and performance sedans, the Pilot Sport PS2 combines world-class dry road traction, handling and cornering. Some of the first Pilot Sport PS2 O.E. fitments included the BMW Alpina Z8, McLaren SLR and Porsche GT2 and GT3 models. Like all summer tires, it is not intended to be driven in the snow. Read more.
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