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Bridgestone Potenza S001 - Test Results

Test Statistics

28

Tests Completed

6th

Average Position

1st

Best Result

11th

Worst Result

Performance Analysis

Bridgestone Potenza S001 - Official Image

Bridgestone Potenza S001 shows a split personality across 28 tests: often excellent in wet grip and balanced all-round capability in earlier years, but hampered by noise, rolling resistance and inconsistent wet performance in some UHP sizes. Standout wet braking/handling wins in 2020 (1st in both wet braking and wet handling; 1st of 49 in wet braking in the braking shootout) underline peak wet grip potential after late-life updates, while multiple mid-pack overall finishes (average position 6) reflect variability across sizes and generations.
Dry performance is generally competent to good with occasional high subjective steering feel, yet rarely class-leading on raw lap/brake metrics. Environmental aspects (rolling resistance, sometimes wear, and value/price) frequently underperform. Early launch-era results include top overall placements (1st/11 in 2010 Sport Auto; 3rd/9 in 2010 Auto Zeitung), but more recent UHP tests show mid-to-late pack results when facing newer rivals.

Performance Strengths
  • Wet Weather Performance Strong
    • 1st place wet braking in 2020 Auto Bild 245/45 R18
    • 1st place wet handling in 2020 Auto Bild 245/45 R18
    • 1st place wet braking (3/49 overall) in 2020 Auto Bild braking shootout
    • Strong wet handling subjectives 3rd/8 in 2019 Sport Auto
  • Overall Competitiveness (Earlier Tests) Moderate
    • 1st/11 overall in 2010 Sport Auto UHP
    • 3rd/9 overall in 2010 Auto Zeitung UHP
    • 4th/7 overall in 2011 Sport Auto Max Performance
    • 5th/15 overall in 2012 Auto Bild Max Performance
  • Dry Steering Feel/Subjective Control Moderate
    • Fastest dry lap with strong subjective feel noted in 2012 EVO Max Performance
    • 2nd/8 subjective dry handling in 2019 Sport Auto
  • Aquaplaning Resistance (Straight-line) Moderate
    • 2nd/8 straight aquaplaning in 2019 Sport Auto
    • 3rd/8 straight aquaplaning in 2018 Auto Bild 20 inch
Performance Weaknesses
  • Noise and Comfort Strong
    • 20/20 noise (73.6 dB) in 2020 Auto Bild
    • 8/8 noise (75.6 dB) in 2019 Sport Auto
  • Rolling Resistance/Efficiency Strong
    • 20/20 rolling resistance (+37.7% from best) in 2020 Auto Bild
    • 8/8 rolling resistance in 2019 Sport Auto
    • 7/8 rolling resistance in 2018 Auto Bild 20 inch
  • Value/Price Moderate
    • 19/20 value (+67.6% from best) and 18/20 price (+85% from best) in 2020 Auto Bild
  • Consistency in Wet (Certain Sizes/Years) Moderate
    • 8/8 wet braking (+18.8%) in 2019 Sport Auto 245/30 R20
    • Wet handling weaknesses noted in 2011 Auto Bild Max Performance and 2011 Sport Auto commentary
  • Overall Ranking Variability vs Newer Rivals Moderate
    • 11/20 overall in 2020 Auto Bild 245/45 R18
    • 9/16 overall in 2020 ADAC 225/40 R18
    • 6/8 overall in 2018 Auto Bild 20 inch
    • 10/10 overall in 2014 EVO
Performance Over Time

Test History

11
of 20
2020 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test

2020
Winner: Continental Premium Contact 6

Satisfactory.
Strong:
Wet Braking, Wet Handling
Weak:
Noise, Rolling Resistance, Value
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9
of 16
2020 ADAC 18 Inch Summer Tyre Test

2020
Winner: Continental Premium Contact 6

Recommended
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3
of 49
2020 Tyre Market Overview Braking Test

2020
Winner: Michelin Pilot Sport 4

Strong:
Wet Braking
View Test
5
of 8
2019 Sport Auto 20 Inch UHP Tyre Test

2019
Winner: Continental Sport Contact 6

Conditionally Recommended.
Strong:
Subj. Dry Handling, Straight Aqua
Weak:
Noise, Rolling Resistance, Wet Braking
View Test
6
of 8
2018 Auto Bild 20 inch UHP Tyre Test

2018
Winner: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

Weak:
Dry Braking, Rolling Resistance, Wet Braking
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6
of 7
2015 Sport Auto 235/35 R19 UHP Tyre Test

2015
Winner: Pirelli P Zero

View Test
10
of 10
2014 EVO Max Performance Summer Tyre Test

2014
Winner: Continental Sport Contact 5

The home advantage counting for nothing, the Bridgestone S001 finished last, struggling in both the subjective and measured tests
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5
of 7
2014 Auto Review Max Performance Tyre Test

2014
Winner: Continental ContiSportContact 5 P

The Bridgestone S001 has a surprisingly poor subjective score, feeling numb in both the wet and dry and with only average grip, not feeling that sporty. Excellent wear and extremely comfortable mak...
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5
of 11
2014 ACE Summer Tyre Test

2014
Winner: Continental Sport Contact 5

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7
of 10
2013 Auto Express Summer Tyre Test

2013
Winner: Continental Sport Contact 5

The noisiest tyre on test, and ninth place in wet handling is not what you'd expect from a premium manufacturer like Bridgestone, though they are currently working on new developments to improve th...
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7
of 9
2013 Auto Review Performance Summer Tyre Test

2013
Winner: Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2

An extremely sturdy tyre which gives s sporty steering feel, but reduced comfort and a high tyre weight. Much better than the previous generation Potenza RE050A in the wet, the Bridgestone is a goo...
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8
of 10
2013 Sport Auto Max Performance Summer Tyre Test

2013
Winner: Dunlop SportMaxx RT

Like the Pirelli, the S001 is starting to show its age and scores mid table in all tests.
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4
of 8
2013 Auto Bild Performance Summer Tyre Test

2013
Winner: Continental Sport Contact 5

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9
of 18
2013 European Summer Sports Tyre Test

2013
Winner: Continental Sport Contact 5

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5
of 10
2012 EVO Summer Tyre Test

2012
Winner: Pirelli P Zero

Mid pack in most of the wet tests, the Bridgestone showed to be a stronger performance in the dry, with an excellent subjective feel on track
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8
of 9
2012 Sport Auto Summer Tyre Test

2012
Winner: Pirelli P Zero

The Bridgestone Potenza S 001 does not show any glaring weaknesses, but no outstanding strengths. Only in the aquaplaning tests does the Bridgestone put on a strong performance, otherwise it sits i...
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5
of 15
2012 Auto Bild Max Performance Tyre Test

2012
Winner: Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2

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8
of 45
2012 Autobild 50 Tyre Braking Test

2012
Winner: Nokian Z G2

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6
of 10
2012 EVO Max Performance Tyre Test

2012
Winner: Continental Sport Contact 3

Unlike when we tested the S001 and found it a little numb, this version of the new Bridgestone echoes Bridgestones of old. Good dry grip with excellent feedback, average grip the wet but the excell...
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8
of 10
2011 Auto Express Ultra High Performance Tyre Test

2011
Winner: Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2

Bridgestone wont be happy their new flagship tyre, the Potenza S001, finished 8th on their own test track. The Bridgestone had a strong result in the dry handling test and finished 3rd in the cabin...
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3
of 11
2011 AMS Ultra High Performance Tyre Test

2011
Winner: Nokian V

Best tyre in the dry
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4
of 7
2011 Sport Auto Max Performance Summer Tyre Test

2011
Winner: Michelin Pilot Super Sport

The S001 is a good all round tyre without shining in any particular area.
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6
of 10
2011 Autobild Max Performance Summer Tyre Test

2011
Winner: Hankook Ventus S1 evo

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7
of 14
2011 Auto Zeitung Max Performance Tyre Test

2011
Winner: Pirelli P Zero

Bridgestone have traded wet performance for improved dry grip, where it sets the benchmark
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3
of 3
2011 Subjective shootout - 255/40 R19 Max Performance Summer Tyres

2011
Winner: Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2

On changing to the S001 the Audi A7 felt instantly more numb, with the lack of feedback instantly leading to more understeer as you reached the limit of grip. Braking was good, and initial turn in ...
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7
of 9
2010 EVO FWD Tyre Test

2010
Winner: Continental ContiSportContact 5 P

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1
of 11
2010 Sport Auto Ultra High Performance Tyre Test

2010

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3
of 9
2010 Auto Zeitung Ultra High Performance Summer Tyre Test

2010
Winner: Pirelli P Zero

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