More fast tires: Bridgestone Potenza RE-71RS heading to U.S. market

Go back just a few short years, and the Bridgestone Potenza RE-71R claimed a lot of wins, a lot of track records, a lot of championships. Then production of this 200tw champ came to an end.

Bridgestone just announced that its successor, the Potenza RE-71RS, is coming our way. Like the previous model, the Potenza RE-71RS is aimed at the autocross, track day and endurance racing crowd.

“Featuring the latest in advanced performance tire technology, the new Bridgestone Potenza RE-71RS is an average of 0.6 seconds faster per lap around Japan’s world-famous Tsukuba Circuit than the previous generation Potenza RE-71R,” the release states.

Improvements over the Potenza RE-71R include, the release continues, a new high-grip tread compound; a 5% better wear rate; and low-angle groves for better steering feel and increased grip.

Bridgestone says that 38 sizes are heading to the U.S. and Canadian markets. Rim diameters will range from 15 to 20 inches with fitments covering popular cars: Mazda Miata, Ford Mustang, BMW 3 Series, Subaru BRZ and Porsche Cayman.

When? According to the release: “Bridgestone is announcing initial availability in April 2022, with the remaining sizes to be available at all its authorized retailers in the U.S. and Canada in the first half of 2022.”

Comments

Floating Doc (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand PowerDork
4/14/22 9:29 a.m.

David, when you said you had big news about tires, you weren't kidding.

captainawesome Dork
4/14/22 9:31 a.m.

So excited to finally see these come out. Big fan of the Re71R, hoping they manage to keep the character of the previous gen AND more grip.

NickD MegaDork
4/14/22 10:03 a.m.

My usual question: will it come in 245/40R15?

kevinatfms HalfDork
4/14/22 10:07 a.m.

NickD said:
My usual question: will it come in 245/40R15?

If it doesnt they miss a very large market right now. Almost every Miata friend i have has gone to or is going to 15x9 and 245's.

David S. Wallens Editorial Director
4/14/22 10:11 a.m.

In reply to Floating Doc (Forum Supporter) :

Yeah, that's big news.

Hope to have size info soon. Plus we have a test in the works. More to come soon.

NickD MegaDork
4/14/22 10:19 a.m.

kevinatfms said:
NickD said:
My usual question: will it come in 245/40R15?

If it doesnt they miss a very large market right now. Almost every Miata friend i have has gone to or is going to 15x9 and 245's.

I imagine the creation of the SCCA Xtreme Street classes is helping drive that demand. Before, if you needed 245s, you were already in Street Prepared or Street Mod from boost or an engine swap, so you might as well run 275 Hoosiers. But now XS gives a reason to run 245-width 200tw tires. Sadly, the 275/35R15 Maxxis 200tw tires never materialized.