Bridgestone Develops Bespoke Potenza Race Tyres for Volkswagen Golf GTI's Record-Breaking 50th Anniversary Model
Bridgestone, a global leader in premium tyres and sustainable mobility solutions, has developed custom Potenza Race semi-slicks for Volkswagen's new Golf GTI EDITION 50, the Golf GTI's exclusive 50th anniversary model. Engineered to perfectly match and enhance the high performance capabilities of the fastest and most powerful production GTI to date, Bridgestone's custom racing fitment leverages the motorsports heritage of its iconic Potenza family.
Developed and produced in Europe, the premium Bridgestone Potenza Race fitment features a high-grip compound with an optimised cavity profile for maximum dry performance, a tread pattern designed to perform even in the wet, and a high-strength, lightweight carcass to reduce rolling resistance.
Providing the precision and control to make history:
Volkswagen unveiled the Golf GTI EDITION 50 at the world-famous 24-hour race held at Germany's iconic Nürburgring – where the exclusive model already set the fastest-ever Nürburgring lap time for a Volkswagen production model. 1
Earlier in 2025, the Golf GTI EDITION 50I completed a lap of the 20.82-kilometre Nordschleife in just 07:46:13. 1 The record-breaking car was exclusively equipped with custom Bridgestone Potenza Race fitment, delivering consistent ultra-high grip across the full lap, and the precision and control needed to make history on the demanding Nürburgring circuit.
'Our bespoke Potenza Race tyres were engineered to extract every ounce of performance from the Golf GTI EDITION 50,' said Radoslaw Bolkowski, Vice President OE Sales at Bridgestone EMEA. 'Seeing them help deliver a record-breaking Nürburgring lap is a brilliant moment for our team and a testament to what's possible when two performance-driven brands collaborate closely. We're very proud to help Volkswagen make history once again.'
Bridgestone is the exclusive tyre supplier for the optional GTI-performance package for the Golf GTI EDITION 50. The vehicle's bespoke 19-inch Bridgestone Potenza Race (235/35 R19 91Y) feature a special Volkswagen sidewall marking – highlighting the tyre's exclusive development for this model.
About Bridgestone in Europe, the Middle East and Africa:
Bridgestone in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (Bridgestone EMEA) is the regional Strategic Business Unit of Bridgestone Corporation, a global leader in tyres and sustainable mobility solutions.
Headquartered in Zaventem (Belgium), Bridgestone EMEA employs more than 14,000 people and conducts business in 35 countries across the region.
Bridgestone offers a diverse portfolio of premium tyres, tyre technologies and advanced mobility solutions. The company's vision is to provide social and customer value as a sustainable solutions company. The Bridgestone E8 Commitment is a broad, global corporate commitment that clearly defines the value the company is promising to deliver to society, our customers and future generations in eight focus areas; Energy, Ecology, Efficiency, Extension, Economy, Emotion, Ease and Empowerment. These provide a compass to guide strategic priorities, decision making and actions throughout every area of the business.
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