| February 9, 2000 - NASHVILLE, TN It Just Got Better. When the Firestone Firehawk SZ50 with UNI-T was introduced in 1996, many performance car owners believed a tire couldn't get much better. They were wrong. The enormously successful ultra-high performance tire has been updated with new UNI-T AQ™ technology from Bridgestone/Firestone - Advanced Quality technology that allows a tire to perform even more consistently throughout its service life. The new Firestone Firehawk SZ50 EP with UNI-T AQ will be available in 16 Z-speed rated sizes, including two with run-flat capability designed to fit the Chevrolet C5 Corvette. "In the top forms of open-wheel motorsports, the consistent performance of our Firestone Firehawk radials, lap after lap, race after race, has been a prime factor in winning," said Shu Ishibashi, Bridgestone/Firestone Vice-President of Consumer Tire Marketing. "The Firestone Firehawk SZ50 already had a tread pattern similar to our Firehawk racing rain tire, so we knew the next step in making it even more impressive was to keep its grip and handling performance even more consistent as it wears. UNI-T AQ makes this possible." UNI-T AQ™ (Advanced Quality) includes the core UNI-T technologies combined with EPO™ (Extended Performance Optimization). EPO elements include an innovative Dual-Layer Tread and an Extended Performance Compound (EPC™). As the outer tread wears away, a layer of high-grip rubber underneath is exposed, helping offset the effects of wear on wet-surface braking and handling. Both layers are made of an Extended Performance Compound, which is resistant to the traditional hardening that normally occurs as a tire ages. The extended performance capabilities of the Firestone Firehawk SZ50 EP with UNI-T AQ are complimented by other desirable characteristics made possible by UNI-T® core technologies. Those characteristics include longer wear, reduced noise, strong grip in both wet and dry conditions, and other qualities difficult to find in a single tire. UNI-T® is an acronym for "Ultimate Network of Intelligent Tire Technology" found only in Bridgestone, Firestone, Dayton and select associate brand tires. One of its core technologies is a Computer Optimized Component System, CO·CS®, which uses a super computer to help determine an ideal combination of tread design, casing shape, materials and construction for a particular application. Tires with UNI-T® have a special O-Bead® that eliminates overlapped joints in the bead assembly, affecting the way a tire interacts with the rim, and provides a rounder assembly for improved driving and handling stability. The use of L.L. Carbon®, or Long Link Carbon, an advanced form of carbon black that absorbs road stress over a larger area, produces a stronger tire, better able to resist cracking, chipping, tearing and excessive wear. "Those who appreciated the outstanding performance of the original Firestone SZ50 will find we've made it an even better tire," Ishibashi said. "It's the flagship product in the Firestone family, the tire for those performance car owners who want superior handling in wet and dry conditions."
"Two of the sizes will have run flat performance capability, and will fit the Chevrolet C5 Corvette," Ishibashi said. "These tires are designated as the Firestone Firehawk SZ50 EP RFT with UNI-T AQ. Firestone has been known as 'America's Tire Since 1900,' and the Chevrolet Corvette has long been known as America's ultimate sports car. It seems natural for the two top performers to be together on America's highways." The Firestone Firehawk SZ50 EP with UNI-T AQ and the Firestone Firehawk SZ50 EP RFT with UNI-T AQ come with the Firestone Gold Pledge limited warranty, which provides replacement at no charge (excluding applicable taxes) if the tire should become unusable for any reason within the manufacturer's control for up to five years. Both also feature the Firestone 30-Day Test Drive, allowing a consumer to return the tires and receive a refund if he or she is not pleased with them for any reason within 30 days of purchase. There is an additional limited warranty for the RFT version, called the RFT Pledge. It provides limited replacement or prorated adjustment if the tire becomes unusable due to certain road hazards within usable tread life of five years from purchase or six years from manufacture, whichever comes first. Nashville-based Bridgestone/Firestone Inc. is the largest subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation, the world's largest tire and rubber company. Bridgestone/Firestone develops, manufactures and markets Bridgestone, Firestone, Dayton, associate and private brand tires. The company also produces Firestone air springs, roofing materials, synthetic rubber, and industrial fibers and textiles. In the last four years, drivers on Firestone Firehawk racing radials have won four consecutive Championship Auto Racing Teams driver's championships, and three in the Indy Racing League. In CART competition, Firestone-equipped drivers won 37 of 39 contests in the last two years. Back to News Page |
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