Bridgestone actually have two different Potenza series for the Western market and the Eastern market. The Potenza Sport aims to sell in Western area while the Bridgestone RE004 targets the Eastern market.
Interestingly, the past S007(A) model still exist in today’s market. The Japan Bridgestone, while release the new RE005 to replace the RE004, the S007A still remains for consumer replacement.
Being a flagship model for Bridgestone, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport receives both positive and negative feedback on its wet performance. It’s selling price (in HK) is lower than other top brands models like Continental SportContact 7 and Michelin Pilot Sport 5. But some customers complaint about its wet performance being a little slippery compared to Pilot Sport 5.
With the new model Potenza Sport EVO has released in the Western market, let’s find out what’s improved as compared to the old model Potenza Sport.
UTQG
The Potenza Sport UTQG has a UTQG rating of
Treadwear: 300
Traction: AA
Temperature: A
for most sizes. A few of the sizes such as 245/35 ZR19, 265/35 ZR19 has a grade lower in traction (rank “A”).
The Potenza Sport Evo so far has achieved all sizes UTQG rating of
Treadwear: 300
Traction: AA
Temperature: A
It could consider an improvement in wet performance for some sizes under UTQG system
Speed Index of the Tyre Model
A few of the Potenza Sport model sizes offer a speed rating of “T”, “H”, and “W”. Most sizes offering a speed rating “Y”, indicating its speed tested up to 300km/h.
On the flipside, all Potenza Sport Evo sizes achieve “Y” speed rating, with some of the sizes goes beyond “Y”, test beyond 300km/h. It indicates a even better speed control and resistance.
EU Tyre Label
Potenza Sport Evo successfully achieve all sizes rank “A” in wet grip as compared to the old model Potenza Sport with some of the sizes achieve rank “B” and even “C” in wet grip.
Potenza Sport Evo fuel efficiency is also standardized, achieving rank “C” – “D”, which is around the same for Potenza Sport. It is, of course, suitable to install on an electric vehicle. However, it does not significantly improve the electric efficiency of the vehicle like the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 Energy which achieves rank “A” in fuel efficiency.
Potenza Sport Evo and Potenza Sport have around the same external rolling noise – around 72dB – 73dB. Afterall, the tyre tread pattern looks around the same.
Conclusion
Potenza Sport Evo has not released in the Eastern market yet. Therefore, no further comparison can be made until it starts to sell in the Eastern market. The improvement might be subtle, just like Falken FK520 when it was rolled out as the successor of FK510, and yet the price is more expensive.
It’s still a good option if this new tyre model price remains the same as Potenza Sport.
After it has released in the Eastern market, I will update the article again for further comparison.
Other related articles:
-> Bridgestone Potenza RE005 vs RE004, what has improved?
-> Michelin Primacy 5 vs Primacy 5 Energy vs e.Primacy
-> Michelin Pilot Sport 5 vs Pilot Sport 5 Energy vs Pilot Sport EV
Other article:
-> Tyre related information
-> Automotive Battery related information
-> Vehicle maintenance and DIY
-> Global Travel Guide
