Bridgestone wants to capture a new generation of off-roaders by introducing its new Dueler A/T 002 all-terrain tyre to Australian and New Zealand customers.
The A/T 002 enters both markets as an addition to Bridgestone’s 4×4 and SUV Dueler range, joining the Dueler A/T 697 in the all-terrain segment and complementing the brand’s range of highway terrain (H/T) and mud-terrain (M/T) products.
According to Bridgestone, as a passenger construction pattern, the A/T 002 has been developed to empower drivers to go off-road confidently without compromising comfort, on-road handling, or economy.
Bridgestone ANZ managing director Heath Barclay – who also uses the tyre on his vehicle, says the A/T 002 is the ideal balance between capability and flexibility without compromising on-road characteristics.
“There is no denying the clear trend of Australian and New Zealand motorists turning towards 4x4s, dual cab utes, and SUVs, and it’s important that we have a range of tyres to support how their vehicles are used,” says Barclay.
“Bridgestone’s Dueler brand has a reputation dating back to the 1980s built on its off-road, rugged and tough characteristics, and the introduction of A/T 002 allows us to continue to strengthen this reputation with a new generation of 4×4 users who are using their cars for practical needs during the week, and for freedom and adventures on the weekend.
“In many ways, the Dueler A/T 002 is a lifestyle tyre – introduced so that emerging 4×4 enthusiasts can step up from the on-road focused highway-terrain to the more versatile all-terrain, without needing to make the jump to a light truck construction 4×4 tyre,” he says.
The Dueler brand has been a core part of the Bridgestone global range since it launched with the iconic Desert Dueler in 1981. Throughout the 1980s, the Dueler brand expanded to include the A/S 661, Mud Dueler, and Winter Dueler.
Bridgestone says the relevance and importance of Dueler has grown exponentially in line with the growth of the 4×4 and SUV segment. According to IHS Global vehicle sales, sedans have remained steady at approximately 16 million sales since 2000, while SUVs have risen from 5 million to 44 million units over the same period.
The Dueler A/T 002 is positioned as the start of the true off-road range with an intended skew of 80% on-road and 20% off-road. This is a step up in capability compared to the OE-focused H/T patterns, while the Dueler A/T 697 is intended for up to 30% off-road use, with extra cut and chip resistance and rigidity.
The Dueler A/T 697 is now exclusively a light truck construction pattern, with the few sizes offered in passenger construction discontinued ahead of the introduction of the Dueler A/T 002.
At the far end of the off-road spectrum are the heavily off-road skewed Dueler M/T 673 and Firestone Destination M/T2 mud-terrain options, which are designed for 70% off-road use and are developed specifically for durability and traction in the wettest conditions.
Bridgestone Australia’s sales director, Claudio Sodano, says the Dueler A/T 002 answers an increasing demand for capable and aesthetic tyres that are still skewed for predominantly urban or on-road use.
“The Dueler A/T 002 is the sweet spot for the market in terms of it being an upgrade from the OE tyres that come on the car and being able to utilise the capabilities of 4x4s and all-wheel drives on the market,” Sodano says.
“Adding A/T 002 to our lineup means we now have a solution and fitment for every 4×4 user. Our highway terrains will always be a staple of our range for on-road, with the A/T 002 as the perfect product for those who want to explore more widely while maintaining the comfort of a passenger construction tyre.
“We also know that aesthetic appeal plays a role, and we are confident that the aggressive tread design and wrap-around blocks on the sidewalls will make Dueler A/T 002 a popular tyre in this segment without compromising safety and comfort”, he says.
The Dueler A/T 002 was developed to instil the confidence and peace of mind of an all-terrain tyre, with the on-road benefits of a highway-terrain pattern. From its aggressive tyre design to its excellent wet and dry grip and mileage, every aspect of the Dueler A/T 002 has been optimised to perform as a safe, reliable, and comfortable tyre.
The tread face features a modern hexagonal block shape and architecture optimised for good traction and braking performance on various surfaces, including on-road, gravel, sand and light-medium mud applications. The staggered shoulder tread design extends to the sidewall of the A/T 002, creating a seamless integration between the face of the tyre and the sidewall to deliver better traction in sandy, snowy and mud conditions.
Bridgestone has utilised advanced Nano Pro-Tech compound technology with high silica content, ensuring that the A/T 002 offers superior grip, especially in wet conditions.
The optimised profile and contact patch of the tyre maximises A/T 002’s footprint, while the tread-face’s 5-rib design and staggered blocks provide even pressure and contact – especially under braking forces. The rib design and void design provide effective water evacuation, significantly reducing the risk of aquaplaning. At the same time, the innovative Z-shaped sipes of the tread blocks enhance lateral and longitudinal grip.
With an initial range of 19 sizes in Australia and 14 in NZ, including the seven highest-selling sizes in the market, A/T 002 has fitment for most dual cab utes, 4×4 and SUV models, including Toyota Prado, Fortuner, and Kluger, Ford Everest, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Isuzu MU-X, Nissan Pathfinder and X-Trail, and Subaru Forester and Outback.
The lineup will see a size expansion of a further 11 sizes in Australia and 6 in NZ in 2025 to a total of 30 and 20 sizes in the respective markets.
