Firestone unveils new Roadhawk tyre: best in class dry braking performance

Firestone unveils new Roadhawk tyre: best in class dry braking performance

BRUSSELS, 08-Jun-2017 — /EuropaWire/ — With the release of its new Roadhawk tyre, Firestone continues to deliver on its promise to revitalise the iconic American brand.

In 2014, Firestone committed to re-energising its brand in Europe by investing in its products, lineup and activations. In only three and a half years, Firestone stayed true to its commitment to invest in its brand and Roadhawk is the sixth tyre that it introduced to the market.

Completing the lineup

Firestone Roadhawk is a tyre for everyone and the result of feedback collected from more than 1.000 European drivers. After extensive market research, it became clear that drivers want a tyre with long-lasting performance. From wet weather conditions, to stop-and-go traffic and highway driving, drivers need a touring tyre that they can count on and feel safe going the distance with. Roadhawk is that tyre; it completes Firestone’s updated product lineup.

The right tyre

A tyre needs to survive the day-to-day demands of commuting to work, doing errands and picking up the kids. Tested and certified by TÜV SÜD, the largest independent institute for tyre and wheel technology in Europe, Firestone Roadhawk is an outstanding tyre designed to tackle everyday.

Built to perform longer

Firestone Roadhawk is engineered to provide long-lasting performance throughout its life span. Independently tested by TÜV SÜD, Firestone Roadhawk outperforms its competitors in wet conditions after 20,000 kilometres of wear.[1] It also offers up to 20% better wear performance[2] than its predecessor Firestone TZ300.

Best in class wet grip

With its unique tread pattern and specially-developed rubber compounds, Firestone Roadhawk achieves the highest “A” EU-label grade for wet grip performance.

Best in class dry braking

Independent TÜV SÜD tests prove that Firestone Roadhawk also provides best in class dry braking performance,[3] with braking distances up to 3 metres shorter than competitors’ tyres.

Its lightweight carcass is tuned for low rolling resistance,[4] which reduces fuel consumption.

Following the trend for larger rims on family cars and touring models, Firestone Roadhawk will cover 15” to 19” rim sizes.

Built for the people

“Firestone Roadhawk is a tyre that you can always count on; it’s like a best friend, and just like true friendship, Roadhawk is built to perform longer” shares Thierry Jupsin, Director of Brands Marketing at Bridgestone Europe.

Friendship has always been part of the Firestone story. Founder Harvey Firestone was friend with some of the greatest pioneers of the twentieth century – Henry Ford, Thomas Edison and John Burroughs – and together, these four men exchanged ideas, supported each other and changed the world in their respective fields.

The innovative spirits of Harvey Firestone and his friends set the standard for our brand and its products. Firestone Roadhawk is a friend you can count on to support you on the road for this kilometre and many kilometres to come.

Firestone Roadhawk Pan-European Launch Event

Firestone went to Barcelona between 31 May and 4 June to launch Firestone Roadhawk, its newest touring tyre. Around 300 participants from all over Europe gathered to celebrate the Firestone brand and put Roadhawk to the test through various driving workshops at the Parc Motor Castellolí track and an exciting road trip in the Catalan region.

The workshops showed that Firestone Roadhawk has indeed been “built to perform longer”, by maintaining its reliability after 20.000km of wear whether in wet condition, handling or braking. The event concluded with a visit to the famous Primavera Sound Festival, kicking off the third edition of the Firestone Music Tour.

This launch event marked an important milestone for Firestone, as it reaffirmed its commitment to revitalise the Firestone brand in Europe. Check out the exciting video of the event!

Media information: Jessica Vandenbruggen: +32 489 10 19 94 jessica.vandenbruggen@bridgestone.eu

About Firestone

With a range of tyres that build on a legacy of strength and reliability spanning over 100 years, Firestone reaches out to a vibrant and young-at-heart audience, giving them the freedom to live life in the moment. Firestone was acquired in 1988 by Bridgestone Corporation, the world’s largest tyre and rubber company.

Bridgestone EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa), with headquarters in Belgium, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Tokyo-based Bridgestone Corporation. With more than 18200 employees, Bridgestone EMEA has offices in more than 60 countries, runs 14 tyre and tyre related plants and operates a major R&D Centre and proving ground.

For more information about Firestone in Europe please visit www.firestone.eu and fs.bridgestonenewsroom.eu.

[1] Outperforms main competitors in aquaplaning straight line and aquaplaning curve. Test carried out by TÜV SÜD on the request of Bridgestone between July and September 2016 with the tyres Firestone Roadhawk, UniRoyal Rainsport 3, Kleber Dynaxer HP3, Fulda EcoControl HP, Nexen NBlue HD+. Tyres purchased on the European market by TÜV SÜD. Testing performed on fleet cars VW Golf 7, driven for 20,000km. Report No. 713086643-BM.

[2] Compared to the Firestone TZ300. Internal test carried out at Bridgestone’s testing ground in Rome in March 2016, on size 205/55 R16 91V.

[3] Compared to UniRoyal Rainsport 3, Kleber Dynaxer HP3, Fulda EcoControl HP, Nexen NBlue HD+. Test carried out by TÜV SÜD on the request of Bridgestone between July and September 2016 at ATP Papenburg on tyre size 205/55 R16 91V. Tyres purchased on the European market by TÜV SÜD. Test car: VW Golf 7. Report No. 713086643.

[4] New Firestone Roadhawk achieves the “C” EU-label grade in RRC.

SOURCE: Bridgestone

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