• Turanza 6 becomes Bridgestone’s flagship touring tyre.
• Bridgestone testing highlights that not all tyres are created equal.  
• Handling and braking performance are significantly different between budget and premium products.

SYDNEY, New South Wales 1 August, 2025) — The introduction of Bridgestone’s new flagship touring tyre, Turanza 6, reminds consumers on the important difference between premium and budget tyres.

The launch of Turanza 6 marks the start of Bridgestone’s ‘new premium’ era, as the first major launch of the tyre company’s fusion of ENLITEN technology and Bridgestone Commonality Modularity Architecture (BCMA).

Bridgestone is also using the introduction of Turanza 6 to remind consumers of the key differences between premium tyres and budget product, with local testing emphasising the contrast in performance between the two.

According to Bridgestone Australia’s Sales Director, Claudio Sodano, not all tyres are created equal.

“So many people downplay the significance that tyres make to the handling, comfort, and most importantly, the safety of a car. Tyres are often overlooked but are one of the most important parts of a car,” Mr Sodano said.

“There’s only one handprint of tread connecting each tyre with the road, so motorists should place more emphasis on ensuring they’re fitting quality tyres like Turanza 6.”

Mr Sodano is well versed in the difference between tyres, with nearly three decades’ experience in the industry in technical field services, product planning and sales.

“Like any product, tyres need to balance quality and price. Unfortunately, it means consumers need to make the choice between a cheap tyre, and a quality tyre, but unfortunately, most motorists don’t realise what they’re really compromising on,” Mr Sodano said.

Benchmark testing of the Turanza 6 that was conducted at Tailem Bend’s skidpan highlighted the extent of the compromise against budget tyres. In the key 70km/h to 0 braking test, Turanza 6 outperformed a popular budget tyre by 3m in the dry, and 3.5m in the wet – with the budget tyre coming to a stop half a car length later than the Turanza 6.

In handling tests, there was also a stark difference in the results, with Turanza 6’s wet lateral grip test – which demonstrates the grip available on a continuous wet corner – seeing a difference of nearly 10%, with Turanza 6 reaching 0.85G, and the budget product reaching 0.72G.

In dry handling, set over a conventional slalom, there was a difference of nearly a whole second between the Turanza 6 and budget product, with the difference being the additional grip Turanza 6’s advanced compound provides.

“Bridgestone is Australia and New Zealand’s most trusted tyre brand year on year for a reason.  The premium brands are tightly matched and there is often one area of performance that is better or worse, but it’s evident that there is a big gap between premium and budget tyres,” Mr Sodano says.  

“Amongst key premium competitors, Turanza 6 stands out for its wet handling, its quiet and comfortable ride, and for dry handling. Across other aspects, there is little difference. However, the gap between premium tyres like Turanza 6 and budget products is clear as daylight.

Mr Sodano believes that the investment to move up to Bridgestone is value for money considering the benefits of reduced stopping distance, and improved handling and efficiency, with premium tyres also offering lower rolling resistance or improved wear life when compared to budget products.

“There are some things in life where you can save money, but for me, tyres shouldn’t be one of them. After experiencing the difference between premium tyres and cheap tyres, I’m not willing to compromise on quality.

“Spending money on premium tyres like Turanza 6 is a small price to pay for peace of mind,” he added.

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