Bridgestone develops bespoke Potenza tyres for Maserati’s return to supercars: the MC20

·        Bridgestone is the exclusive tyre partner for the MC20, Maserati’s new supercar.

·        Custom-developed Bridgestone Potenza tyres enhance vehicle handling, control and driving dynamics to maximise overall performance for the super sports car.

·        Bridgestone’s ground-breaking virtual tyre development technology improves efficiency and sustainability of the tyre’s development process.

Brussels (October 27, 2020) Bridgestone has been selected as the exclusive tyre supplier for the MC20, Maserati’s new super sports car. This collaboration between two industry leaders conquers new ground, with Bridgestone enhancing the incredible capabilities of Maserati’s new MC20 through the development of premium, custom-engineered Potenza tyres.

Pushing the boundaries of performance

In the development phase of its astonishing, new MC20, Maserati required a premium sports tyre that could deliver exceptional performance. Bridgestone, Maserati’s long-term partner, answered the brief and transformed it into reality with tailor-made Potenza tyres.

The MC20 showcases Maserati’s latest technical and engineering innovations and marks a generational shift in performance over previous models. Bridgestone has played a significant role in improving the MC20’s high performance capacity with its bespoke Potenza tyres, which feature an asymmetric tread design for enhanced steering response and cornering stability, a newly developed tread compound that enhances grip, and an internal crown structure that distributes footprint pressure evenly when cornering. Combined, these elements provide a high-performance tyre which delivers an optimum mix of control, speed and stability that improves the supercar’s overall performance.

Motorsports triumphs born in Italy

The long-term partnership between Bridgestone and Maserati has roots in motorsports racing history. Bridgestone’s Potenza tyres were born from a long association with Formula One racing, while the MC20 marks a return to Maserati’s racing roots. Achieving incredible results both on and off the track is part of both company’s pioneering DNA.

Both Bridgestone and Maserati used in-house R&D centres and ground-breaking virtual development technology to develop and test the new MC20 and its bespoke tyres. Through its proprietary virtual tyre modelling technology, Bridgestone also reduced the length of the development process, limiting its environmental impact by using less resources and cutting the project’s time to market. This contributed to a more efficient process, with the MC20 design produced in approximately 24 months. For both industry-leaders, incorporating innovative, sustainable technologies is a top priority, with an electric variant of the MC20 planned to go to market in the near future.

Speaking on this announcement was Steven De Bock, VP Consumer Replacement and OE at Bridgestone EMIA: “Fully developed, tested and manufactured in Europe, these custom-designed Potenza tyres have been designed to meet the high demands of Maserati. Collaborating once again with Maserati, we developed a specially engineered Potenza tyre that enables Maserati’s MC20 to deliver on its power, control and sporting capabilities.”

“The MC20 project is the latest chapter in the pioneering relationship between Bridgestone and Maserati. We both share the same passion for innovation and excellence, and want to offer to our customers premium products that deliver outstanding results. Both designed in Italy, the new Maserati MC20 and bespoke Bridgestone Potenza tyres are the perfect match for each other. Bridgestone engineered a sports tyre capable of supporting and enhancing the incredible performance of the MC20” said Federico Landini, Maserati Vehicle Line Executive sports cars.

About Bridgestone:

Bridgestone Corporation, headquartered in Tokyo, is the world’s largest tire and rubber company. In addition to tires for use in a wide variety of applications, it also manufactures a broad range of diversified products, which include industrial rubber and chemical products and supporting goods.  Its products are sold in over 150 nations and territories around the world.

About Thai Bridgestone:

In Thailand, Bridgestone has managed to achieve sustainable growth and success through great confidence from end-users, dealers, and automotive manufacturers since its production 51 years ago. Through our history, the company has shown great determination to research, invent, and create excellent products that are suitable for domestic use. Additionally, together with well selected raw materials, state-of-the-art production facilities and machines, and highest standard of quality control, these enable Bridgestone to journey on the same path with the corporate mission-“Serving Society with Superior Quality”.