Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS+ vs Pirelli P Zero All Season+: After discussing two of the finest ultra-high performance tires, the Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus vs the Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4, we will continue this trend by presenting another premium competition between the Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS+ and the Pirelli P Zero All Season+. Similar to Michelin and Continental’s ultra-high performance all-season tires, Bridgestone’s Potenza RE980AS+ is a specialized tire line exclusively available in the North American market, and it covers most of the popular sizes ranging from 17 to 20 inches. On the other hand, the P Zero All Season+ is a relatively old tire line that was introduced in 2014 and features sizes primarily above 17 inches. Let us compare these two tires to determine which one reigns supreme in this head-to-head battle.
Table of Contents
Results
Results below were taken from TyreReviews “2022/23 UHP All Season Tire Test“. A total of 4 tires were tested this time around. The graph below shows the comparison between Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS+ vs Pirelli P Zero All Season+ based on the relevant performance category. The Potenza RE980AS+ was set as a reference hence at the 100% mark.
Since both tires fall under the category of all-season tires, TyreReviews conducted comprehensive testing on snow, including evaluations of traction, braking, and handling. The tire size that was tested is 245/40R18, which is a popular tire size for vehicles such as the Audi A4 and Mercedes-Benz C 200 AMG Line. For additional information on tire sizes, please refer to our latest tire size table. The Genesis G70 was the testing vehicle for this tire test.
Wet
The coefficient of friction between the tire and the road significantly decreases on wet roads in comparison to dry roads, increasing the likelihood of road accidents during wet conditions. This is why wet braking is one of the three criteria on the EU label. In our comparison, the Potenza RE980AS+ performed remarkably well in wet braking, outperforming the P Zero All Season+ by 7.6 feet (2.3 meters).
However, things changed when it came to wet handling as both tires performed equally in terms of lap times, finishing the lap at 40.1 seconds. Subjectively, both tires received the same rating, trailing the best tire by only 0.5 points. Below are some of the drivers’ subjective feedback on the tires regarding the wet handling track.
Potenza RE980AS+ :
The Potenza RE980AS+ felt like an all-season tire rather than an ultra high-performance tire, and was the woolliest tire in the group. While the initial steering was fine, there was some block movement that could be felt. The turning and stability in mid-corner were the lowest among the four tires.
Test driver feedback on Potenza RE980AS+
P Zero All Season+ :
The most dynamic tire in the group had the quickest initial steering, which was nice, and it provided a slightly better performance compared to the other tires, although these details may be considered minor.
Test driver feedback on P Zero All Season+
To summarize the test results, the Potenza RE980AS+ had a significant advantage in wet braking compared to the P Zero All Season+, while both tires performed similarly in wet handling.
P Zero All Season+ :
- -7% in wet braking
- 0% in wet handling (subj)
- 0% in wet handling (lap time)
- +1% in wet circle
Dry
In terms of dry performance, safety is typically less of a concern as the braking distance is longer than in wet conditions. However, the tires need to perform consistently on a daily basis. Once again, the Potenza RE980AS+ demonstrated its strength in dry braking, outperforming the P Zero All Season+ by 5.4 feet (1.7 m).
However, the P Zero All Season+ dominated the dry handling track with a 1-point higher subjective rating than the Potenza RE980AS+, and also achieved a lap time 1 second faster per lap than the Bridgestone tire. Here are some of the test drivers’ feedback on the P Zero All Season+ dry handling performance.
P Zero All Season+ :
The Pirelli tire demonstrated a higher level of ultra high performance, with quicker steering response. In fact, if one were to use an all season tire on the track, the P Zero All Season+ would be the preferred choice due to its ability to handle heat well. Nevertheless, it is important to remember that these tires are not designed for track use.
Test driver feedback on P Zero All Season+
Overall, the Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS+ has an advantage in terms of dry braking performance, while the Pirelli P Zero All Season+ took top honors for the best dry handling tire.
P Zero All Season+ :
- -4% in dry braking
- +5% in dry handling (subj)
- +1% in dry handling (lap time)
Snow
As both tires have been classified as all-season tires, we were delighted when Tire Rack included snow testing in their evaluation. Upon initial inspection, neither tire bears the 3-peak mountain symbol which is necessary for legal certification as a winter tire. Consequently, they are not required to meet a specific standard of snow traction as stipulated by law.
In terms of snow performance, there is a clear winner: the Potenza RE980AS+. In snow braking, it outperformed the P Zero All Season+ by a significant margin of 9.8 feet (3 m) at a speed of 20 mph – an impressive feat! Moreover, in snow traction, the P Zero All Season+ accelerated up to 20 mph in 1.44 seconds longer than the Potenza RE980AS+.
When it came to snow handling, the Potenza RE980AS+ reigned supreme, posting the fastest snow handling lap time of 100 seconds per lap, which is 16 seconds faster than the P Zero All Season+. Subjectively, the Potenza RE980AS+ also received a much higher rating of 9.5/10 compared to the 8/10 of the P Zero All Season+. Overall, it is evident that the Potenza RE980AS+ is the preferred tire for snowy conditions.
P Zero All Season+ :
- -18% in snow braking
- -22% in snow traction
- -5% in snow handling (subj)
- -14% in snow handling (lap time)
Comfort
Typically, in the ultra-high performance segment, noise and comfort are not the primary considerations. Drivers of high-performance vehicles tend to prioritize traction and braking performance over subjective measures of comfort. Nonetheless, ride comfort was evaluated, and the Potenza RE980AS+ received a slightly higher rating of 9/10 compared to the 8.75/10 of the P Zero All Season+.
P Zero All Season+ :
- -1% in average of subjective comfort.
Rolling Resistance
Rolling resistance is typically not a primary concern for engineers when designing high-performance tires, as their focus is primarily on wet and dry performance. However, due to the growing emphasis on sustainability, tire manufacturers are placing greater importance on rolling resistance. In this case, the P Zero All Season+ demonstrated a lower rolling resistance value of 9.35 kg/t, compared to the higher 10.18 kg/t of the Potenza RE980AS+.
This suggests that the P Zero All Season+ is more fuel-efficient and emits fewer carbon emissions than the Potenza RE980AS+. If fuel efficiency is a top priority, then the P Zero All Season+ may be the superior option.
P Zero All Season+ :
- +8% in rolling resistance
UTQG rating
As we have previously demonstrated, the UTQG tread wear rating can be a useful indicator of the expected mileage for a given tire. The UTQG values for both the Pirelli P Zero All Season+ and Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS+ are listed below:
| Brand | Tireline | Size | Tread Wear | Traction | Temperature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pirelli | P Zero All Season+ | All | 500 | AA | A |
| Bridgestone | Potenza RE980AS+ | All | 500 | AA | A |
Both tires have the same mileage warranty of 50,000 miles, and the same UTQG tread wear rating of 500. Taking all factors into account, we can reasonably assume that both tires have comparable expected mileage performance.
For more detailed information on UTQG ratings, I recommend reading this article, which also includes a free download of the latest UTQG values from leading tire manufacturers.
Price
Both tires were priced similarly, with only a one-dollar difference between them.
Tire size: 245/40R18
P Zero All Season+ : $220
Potenza RE980AS+: $219
Difference: +0.5% more expensive for P Zero All Season+.
Summary
In general, both tires demonstrate excellence in different areas of performance. The Potenza RE980AS+ exhibited notable strengths in wet and dry braking, as well as snow performance. On the other hand, the P Zero All Season+ was the top performer in dry handling and rolling resistance. Given the clear strengths of each tire, choosing between them ultimately depends on your individual needs and preferences, as there is no clear victor in this comparison.