One of the most frequently asked questions within the industry is ‘what is the best tyre’, and so we sat down with Bridgestone Australia’s Sales Director, Claudio Sodano, at the recent Dueler A/T 002 model launch to answer the question and provide a rundown of the brand’s range. Of course, whether choosing a Bridgestone tyre or opting another brand, the same principles apply.
“Asking what the best tyre is, is a lot like asking what the best car is, or the best shoe is. Ultimately, it’s based on what your requirements are, and the use case. This is why there are so many tyre options – we need to cater to the diverse needs and requirements of the market,” Mr Sodano said.
Bridgestone’s range of tyres is comprised of sub-brands to cater to the various markets: Dueler for 4×4 and SUV products, the Potenza brand for performance products, Turanza for touring options, Alenza for touring and luxury SUVs, Ecopia for low rolling resistance and fuel saving solutions, and Duravis for light commercial applications.
Within the Dueler 4×4 & SUV range, there are three distinct product types: highway-terrain (H/T), which prioritises on-road characteristics, all-terrain (A/T) which is the perfect blend of off-road capabilities and on-road performance, and mud-terrain (M/T), which is specifically designed for the rigours of heavy-duty off-road use.
“One part of the market where selecting the tyre based on the application is most important is in the 4×4 and SUV space, because the differences between H/T, A/T and M/T patterns can significantly change the dynamics of a vehicle,” Mr Sodano added.
Highway-terrain tyres, including highway luxury and highway sport variants, are typically fitted to the majority of 4x4s when they leave the factory. These are tyres that have been developed in collaboration with the manufacturers for the best on-road and compliance benefits. These are also the tyres that will likely deliver the best fuel economy, with all-terrain and mud-terrain tyres adding additional weight and increased rolling resistance.
All-terrain tyres are considered the starting point of off-road tyres, with an emphasis on flexibility and versatility, and the durability to handle less consistent terrain. They are often considered the sweet spot for their additional capabilities, while still maintaining strong on-road performance, and with minimal compromise to fuel economy, particularly the new passenger construction A/T 002.
Mud-terrain tyres are the most aggressive looking of the 4×4 range and are characterised by their chunky block patterns and tapered lug design. They are engineered to handle some of the harshest and most challenging terrain and excel in wet, muddy conditions. Mud-terrain tyres are intended to be primarily used off road, with a split of 70% off-road to 30% on road because of their concessions in handling and comfort.
“It’s important for motorists to really think about the typical driving they do, especially when picking 4×4 tyres. If you never plan to go off road, then a highway-terrain or a touring tyre is likely to be your best option, but if you’re looking to explore the capabilities of your 4×4 and venture off-road, then the all-terrain is ideal, with the mud-terrain really for the enthusiasts who are off-roading in rugged conditions frequently,” Mr Sodano said.
“Every product has its own set of features and benefits, but like any product development there is often a compromise in one area to achieve the best outcome in another. In the 4×4 tyre market, with a tendency to focus on purchasing for aesthetic appeal, this can sometimes mean unknowingly compromising on handling characteristics.”
Mr Sodano has nearly 30 years’ experience in the tyre industry, starting his career with Bridgestone as a Technical Services Engineer in 1996. He served as a Senior Original Equipment Engineer, playing an instrumental role in local tyre developments for Commodore, Falcon and Magna, before moving into product planning. In 2011 he became the National Technical Field Service (TFS) Manager and then as General Manager – TFS for the Australia & New Zealand market. His previous role was General Manager – Commercial Business before being appointed as Sales Director in January 2022.
“There is no single best tyre – it’s all down to how you plan to use it. However, it’s important that motorists understand the strengths of each tyre, and what might be compromised to give it that strength,” he said.
