The Bridgestone brand has been named the exclusive OE tire for the redesigned 2003 Nissan 350Z, Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire LLC (BFNT) announced today.
The car is manufactured in Japan and is due in showrooms Aug. 1, 2002.
BFNT will provide Nissan with its Bridgestone Potenza RE040 ultra-high performance tires in both 17- and 18-inch fitments: a combination of 225/50R17 94W for the front, and 235/50R17 96W in the rear; and a 225/45R18 91W in front and 245/45R18 96W in the rear. The tire will be manufactured in Japan.
It has a five-rib unidirectional tread design, raised serrated block lettering and a black sidewall for a sporty appearance. Extra hard bead fillers and rayon ply construction offer high lateral stiffness for maximum cornering capabilities, the company says. The tread compound ensures optimum wet and dry braking and a rim protector protects wheels from curb damage.
Both the 17- and 18-inch Potenza RE040 also will be available at the replacement level starting in mid-July, the company says.
"We are thrilled to be named the sole tire supplier for this very important performance car relaunch. Nissan and the Bridgestone brand share a long history, which dates all the way back to Nissan's inception. We're glad to bring the relationship full-circle," says Michael Martini, vice president, North American Consumer Tire OE Sales.
Martini added that the company worked closely with Nissan's technical engineering department for two to three years in an effort to meet and exceed all of the company's performance targets.
