Bridgestone Develops Bespoke Potenza Sport Tires for Maserati's First All-Electric SUV

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May 21, 2024, 09:00 ET

The new all-electric Maserati Grecale Folgore has been fitted with custom-developed 20" Bridgestone Potenza Sport ENLITEN™ tires, Bridgestone's flagship ultra-high performance tire, to enhance its capabilities.
The Bridgestone tires specifically engineered for the Grecale Folgore extend the EV's driving range, while delivering superior handling performance in challenging conditions on both dry and wet surfaces.
This is the latest in a long series of collaborations between the two premium brands, including their recent partnerships on the Maserati MC20 and Maserati Grecale.

NASHVILLE, Tenn., May 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Bridgestone Americas (Bridgestone), a global leader in premium tires and sustainable mobility solutions, has been chosen by Maserati to develop bespoke 20'' tires for its first all-electric SUV, the Maserati Grecale Folgore.

The new all-electric Maserati Grecale Folgore has been fitted with custom-developed 20" Bridgestone Potenza Sport ENLITEN ties, Bridgestone's ultra-high performance tire, to enhance its capabilities.

After recent collaborations including fitments for the Maserati MC20 supercar and the Maserati Grecale, Maserati looked to its long-term partner for a tire that could enhance the on-road capabilities of its first-ever all-electric SUV. Bridgestone responded with custom-developed Bridgestone Potenza Sport ENLITEN™ tires, its flagship ultra-high performance tire.

Providing top performance in dry conditions and supported by a premium wet package, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport ENLITEN has been custom engineered to keep Maserati Grecale Folgore drivers in control with superior handling performance in challenging conditions on both dry and wet surfaces.

The bespoke Bridgestone tire delivers against the Maserati Grecale Folgore's specific needs and enhances its performance thanks to the use of ENLITEN technology, Bridgestone's innovative approach to tire development. This combination of multiple cutting-edge technologies provides maximum safety and outstanding tire performance for Maserati Grecale Folgore drivers, while improving the sustainability characteristics of the tire.

Driving the electric revolution forward
Alongside a successful, long-term partnership, Bridgestone and Maserati also share a strong commitment to electrification. The Bridgestone tire specifically developed for the new Maserati Grecale Folgore delivers very low rolling resistance performance—achieving a best-in-class EU label A-grade—to extend the Maserati Grecale Folgore's 500 km (310 miles) range.¹

Through a fully integrated approach, Bridgestone is investing to make electric mobility more efficient and accessible to drivers and fleets. The company is pioneering premium tires and tire technologies for EVs, as well as dedicated fleet and mobility solutions, while partnering with leading EV manufacturers and developing an EV-ready retail and service network. On its side, Maserati is the first Italian luxury brand to launch 100% electric vehicles, with a commitment to produce electric versions of all its models by 2025 and full-electric vehicles alone by 2028.

Consistent with Maserati's deep-rooted Italian heritage, the Maserati Grecale Folgore was designed and produced in Italy, as were its bespoke Bridgestone Potenza Sport ENLITEN tires.

Bridgestone's proprietary Virtual Tire Development technologies were combined with Maserati's driving simulator to ensure that the bespoke tire could be created and tested in a digital environment—reducing physical prototyping and testing, cutting raw material consumption and carbon emissions, and enabling a faster time to market.

Speaking on this announcement was Steven De Bock, Vice President Original Equipment at Bridgestone EMEA: "The Grecale Folgore is a historic launch for Maserati on its pioneering electrification journey, and we're very proud to help bring its performance to life with Bridgestone tires. We both have a strong commitment to accelerate the transition to electric vehicles; it's a great moment to see our collaboration break new ground in electric mobility."

¹500 km (310 miles) refers to internal Maserati tests following WLTP combined cycled. The real, daily range in terms of kilometers/miles a customer can achieve depends mainly on individual driving style, as well as on topography, external temperature and vehicle load.

About Bridgestone Americas, Inc.:
Bridgestone Americas, Inc. is the U.S.-based subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation, a global leader in tires and rubber, building on its expertise to provide solutions for safe and sustainable mobility. Headquartered in Nashville, Tenn., Bridgestone Americas employs more than 45,000 people across its worldwide operations. Bridgestone offers a diverse product portfolio of premium tires and advanced solutions backed by innovative technologies, improving the way people around the world move, live, work and play.

SOURCE Bridgestone Americas, Inc.