Custom Bridgestone Tyres: Maserati's Gamechanger
To enhance its capabilities, the new all-electric Maserati Grecale Folgore specifications have been upgraded with custom-developed 20" Bridgestone Potenza Sport ENLITEN™ tyres, Bridgestone's flagship ultra-high performance tyre.
These tyres, engineered explicitly for the Grecale Folgore, extend the EV's driving range while delivering superior handling in challenging conditions on dry and wet surfaces. This collaboration continues a long history of successful partnerships between the premium brands Maserati and Bridgestone.
Following recent projects, including fitments for the Maserati MC20 supercar and the Maserati Grecale, Maserati turned to its long-term partner for a tyre that could elevate the performance of its first all-electric SUV. Bridgestone met the challenge with custom-developed Potenza Sport ENLITEN™ tyres, showcasing their premier ultra-high performance capabilities.
The critical role of tyres in EV performance
Tyres are critical to EV performance for several reasons. Low rolling resistance influences the efficiency and range of tyres, which reduces the energy needed to move the vehicle, extending its range and reducing overall energy consumption.
It is essential for maintaining and improving battery life. EVs deliver instant torque, which stresses the tyres significantly. Therefore, it is necessary for high-quality tyres to handle this without losing grip, ensuring smooth acceleration and optimal handling. Additionally, EVs are heavier than conventional vehicles due to their battery packs, so tyres must support this extra weight while maintaining stability and control.
Safety and noise reduction
Safety is another critical aspect, as proper tyres are crucial for effective braking, especially given EVs' heavier weight and instant torque. Specialised EV tyres often feature advanced tread patterns and compounds to improve performance in various weather conditions, enhancing overall safety. Noise reduction is vital since EVs are quieter than internal combustion engines, making tyre noise more noticeable. Therefore, specialised EV tyres minimise road noise by design, contributing to a quieter and more comfortable ride.
Durability and performance optimisation
Durability is crucial due to EVs' unique driving dynamics and higher weight; EV-specific tyres often have reinforced structures to handle additional stress and wear. Realising performance optimisation through EV tyres' aerodynamic features, which reduce drag and improve efficiency, and their role in the efficiency of regenerative braking systems. In conclusion, tyres significantly impact EV performance, affecting efficiency, range, safety, and comfort. Investing in high-quality, EV-specific tyres can enhance the overall driving experience and ensure optimal vehicle operation.
Bridgestone Potenza Sport ENLITEN for superior handling
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.
Steven De Bock, Vice President of Original Equipment at Bridgestone EMEA, says: "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 tyres. We both strongly commit to accelerating the transition to electric vehicles; it's a great moment to see our collaboration break new ground in electric mobility."
ENLITEN technology for enhanced performance and sustainability
The bespoke Bridgestone tyre enhances Maserati Grecale Folgore's performance thanks to ENLITEN technology and Bridgestone's innovative approach to tyre development. This combination of cutting-edge technologies provides maximum safety and outstanding tyre performance for Maserati Grecale Folgore drivers while improving the tyre's sustainability characteristics.
Commitment to electrification
Bridgestone and Maserati share a solid commitment to electrification. The Bridgestone tyre 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. Bridgestone is investing to make electric mobility more efficient and accessible to drivers and fleets, pioneering premium tyres and tyre technologies for EVs, and developing an EV-ready retail and service network. Maserati, on its part, is the first Italian luxury brand to launch 100% electric vehicles. It is committed to producing electric versions of all its models by 2025 and full-electric vehicles alone by 2028.
Italian heritage and innovative development
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 tyres. Bridgestone's proprietary Virtual tyre Development technologies were combined with Maserati's driving simulator to ensure that the bespoke tyre 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.
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