Bridgestone Turanza T005 Review – Superior Wet Grip

We had the chance to test the latest tyre from the premium brand Bridgestone, the Bridgestone Turanza T005. So let’s get on with it!

Bridgestone Turanza T005 – Dry Grip

The Bridgestone Turanza T005 is designed to be the best in its class for braking and cornering in the rain. It has a strong EU label rating of A for wet grip, but before we talk about extreme wet grip, let’s try the drier road surface.

T005 – The Best Part?

So we jumped into a Volkswagen Golf to find out how capable this tyre really is. We used the Donington Park launch pad area to test the tyres in a controlled environment. To begin with, the surface was damp from the recent rain. My initial impression was encouraging. The track appeared to be quite slippery but the Bridgestone Turanza T005 provided some well-needed grip under heavy braking and cornering. Even when driven harshly, the tyres didn’t squeal, as befitting a premium product.

The testing included emergency stop braking, which demonstrated the tyres’ outstanding grip and stability under stress.

For a moment during the test laps, we let off the steering wheel to ensure that the tyre didn’t pull either way. We later re-ran the same test in water to demonstrate the same lack of pull against the steering wheel.

High Speed Bends in the Turanza

We took on some high-speed bends, rolling the car into the corners to feel the tyres grip under pressure. As expected, the Bridgestone Turanza T005 worked really well and inspired confidence when cornering.

We also hit some hairpin corners at speed to really upset the balance of the car and experience the grip levels in tight cornering. When pushing the vehicle harder than on the road, the tyre met my demands and gripped nicely. The car remained very controlled and balanced.

Bridgestone Turanza T005 – Wet Grip

To simulate wet weather conditions, the track was flooded using a water bowser. We returned in the same car to see if the tyres could live up to their billing as the EU label A rating for wet grip.

As on the previous test, the tyres still corner well. The wet grip is very impressive. The most surprising result was the emergency stop from 50mph that felt just as short and controlled as on the dry test. We re-ran this test multiple times with great results.

Design Features – Optimised For Outstanding Wet Grip

Creating a premium tyre like the Bridgestone Turanza T005 takes a lot of time and effort. Below we explore some of these elements:

Optimised Distribution of Void In The Central Pattern Of The Tyre

Taking a moment to examine the tyre, you will notice the centre features – four large channels that allow water to drain off. This means that as soon as the tyre hits a wet surface, the water quickly disperses to allow the tyre to grip properly.

T005 – High Number of Sipes

The lateral slits shown below are called sipes. There are large ones at the edge of the tyre and small ones in the middle. They also help to displace water out the side of the tyre. Once the sipe meets the ground, the edge bites the road surface which aids wet grip. Typically the higher the number of sipes, the better the tyre is suited to wet conditions.

Chamfered Edge Sipes – Turanza T005

Between the voids in the middle of the tyre, you will see some chamfered edge sipes. These specifically designed sipes increase the rigidity of each tread block to enhance braking performance.

New Mixing Technology With Nano Pro-Tech Compound With High Silica Content

Here is where things get a bit complicated for me. I am no scientist. Bridgestone invests heavily in their research and development and are always looking to improve their compounds. For the Turanza T005, their ingenious improvements appear to have worked. If you are wondering how this compares to their previous tyre compounds, take a look at the picture below:

What Does This Mean To The Buyer?

In my opinion, the Bridgestone Turanza T005 is a very capable premium tyre that offers fantastic wet and dry grip. This has also been proved by its label grades but what does all this mean for the buyer?

That’s not all…

When choosing a set of premium tyres such as the Bridgestone Turanza T005, you get all the performance features, but the clincher is the increased levels of grip in the car and a safer drive overall. It is not every day we need to shave a couple of metres off our emergency stop in the wet weather, it might only be once or twice a year. But would you prefer to pay for a premium tyre to give you more control and stop quicker, or to save a few pounds but compromise on safety?

Another feature to consider with the Bridgestone Turanza T005 tyre is that now lasts 11% longer when compared to its predecessor the Bridgestone Turanza T001 EVO. For a quick snapshot of the tyre’s capabilities, take a look at the infographic below: