Firestone has announced the launch of its inaugural winter truck tyre range, comprising the Firestone Roadhawk Winter Drive and Firestone Roadhawk Winter Steer. These new offerings are set to redefine tyre performance for commercial fleets across Europe, promising enhanced durability and year-round reliability.
The Firestone Roadhawk Winter range is meticulously engineered to endure all-season conditions. Its durable tread compound significantly extends tyre life, with stone ejectors incorporated into the tread design to resist stone drilling and enhance casing durability. Both the Steer and Drive axles feature a zig-zag shoulder groove and mini sipes to counteract irregular wear, complemented by a brake control rib in the shoulder groove for improved wear resistance.
Designed for dependable handling in mild snow and wet conditions, the tyres benefit from an optimised footprint and contact pressure distribution, ensuring superior handling performance. The Drive axle, in particular, is equipped with high sipe and block density, alongside an anti-slip block design, which increases edge elements for enhanced traction and braking in mild snow. The tyres boast M+S (Mud and Snow) and 3PMSF (Three Peak Mountain Snowflake) markings, confirming their winter readiness.
“Reliability is of utmost importance to fleets when it comes to tyres, especially in winter,” said Waqqas Ahmad, Commercial Sales Director Bridgestone EMEA. “We wanted to provide drivers and fleet professionals in the mid-segment with a tyre that could deliver throughout the year – reducing both operational challenges and total cost of ownership. We’re very proud to launch the very first Firestone Winter tyre range in the commercial segment and bring durable and uncompromised year-round efficiency to fleet operations.”
Developed at Bridgestone’s R&D Centre in Rome, the Firestone Roadhawk Winter range incorporates features from Bridgestone’s premium truck tyres, utilising proven and validated technologies along with modern rubber compounds and materials. These innovations reduce abrasion and enhance durability, thereby increasing the service life of the tyres.
Manufactured in Europe, the Firestone Roadhawk Winter range will be available continent-wide from July 2024 in four dimensions. The Firestone Roadhawk Winter Steer will be offered in 385/65 R 22.5 and 385/55 R 22.5 sizes, while the Firestone Roadhawk Winter Drive will come in 315/80 R 22.5 and 315/70 R 22.5 sizes.
