Firestone introduced a new tire for minivans
Firestone presented a new commercial winter tire, the Firestone Vanhawk 2 Winter Evo, which replaces the Vanhawk Winter 2 model and surpasses it in terms of fuel efficiency, according to the European branch of Bridgestone.
The new tire was developed using the Enliten technological platform, which allows for improved environmental characteristics without compromising other parameters. The resource has been increased by 10% compared to the first-generation tires. To improve tire durability, a new rubber compound with increased resistance to abrasive wear was created, while the modified crown design improved the evenness of loads in the contact area with the road, which also helped to extend the tire's lifespan.
According to the manufacturer, the Firestone Vanhawk 2 Winter Evo has good traction and braking properties on snow, and the braking efficiency on wet pavement has been increased by 10%, which improved the rating according to the Euro marking system, and the new tire was able to receive an "A" rating in this parameter. It is also reported that the new compound enhances grip on wet asphalt, and the block and lamella layout scheme improved handling in winter conditions.
The rolling resistance of the new Firestone tires has been reduced by 5%, thanks to the rubber compound that reduces heat generation and the optimized tread pattern, making the tires suitable for both gasoline and electric vehicles, which should simplify the process of choosing tires for customers from fleets.
"The latest model in the Firestone Winterhawk lineup is able to guarantee uninterrupted operation of fleets during the winter season," said Stefano Sanchini, Vice President of Bridgestone's EMEA division, adding that the new tire is designed for those who require durability and uncompromising safety from their tires and want to optimize their expenses.
The Firestone Vanhawk 2 Winter Evo was developed and tested in Italy, and sales will start across Europe in June 2025. The lineup will include 40 sizes with diameters from 15 to 17 inches, which will allow covering 93% of the market. In three sizes, the tires will have a 10-layer thickness, which will allow them to be used for heavy cargo transportation and on electric vans.