Bridgestone to Launch ‘Blizzak Ice Peak’ on September 1, Cutting Ice Braking Distance by 11%

Japanese tire company Bridgestone will launch its winter tire “BLIZZAK ICEPEAK” on September 1. The BLIZZAK ICEPEAK is the successor to the existing “BLIZZAK DM-V3.” It features improved braking performance on ice and snow-covered roads and enhanced wear resistance. In addition, it has increased compatibility with vehicles equipped with electrified powertrains that have high-weight and high-torque characteristics.

BLIZZAK is a winter tire brand introduced by Bridgestone in 1988. Since its launch, it has recorded cumulative sales of 300.6 million units to date.

The Bridgestone BLIZZAK ICEPEAK reduces braking distance on icy roads by 11% compared to its predecessor. The ice-road braking performance test followed the standards of the Japan Automobile Tyre Manufacturers Association (JATMA). The test specification was 225/65R17 XL 106Q, conducted on a 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid all-wheel-drive model. With an air pressure setting of 33 psi, the distance to a complete stop from 30 km/h was measured. Test results showed the BLIZZAK ICEPEAK recorded a braking distance of 32.36m, while the existing DM-V3 recorded 36.16m.

Wear life (wear resistance) has been improved by 14% compared to the previous product. By removing the through-hole pattern in the tread center blocks and applying a continuous structure to increase block rigidity, tire deformation was suppressed. The wear test was conducted by measuring tread wear over a total driving distance of 10,000 km, with front and rear tire positions swapped every 3,333 km of driving.

Snow-road handling stability has also been improved through the application of a new tread pattern. Compared to the predecessor, the tread edge area has been expanded to 18% in the longitudinal direction and 30% in the lateral direction, securing snow-road traction and handling stability.

Bridgestone will offer the BLIZZAK ICEPEAK in a total of 57 specifications. The lineup ranges from 195/80R15 to 315/35R21, covering everything from compact cars to premium SUVs.