The Potenza RE980AS is Bridgestone's Ultra High Performance All-Season tire developed for the drivers of sports cars, sporty coupes and performance sedans looking for high-speed capability and predictable handling in dry and wet conditions combined with confident year-round performance, even in light snow.The Potenza RE980AS molds an all-season compound into an asymmetric, noise-optimized tread pattern to balance dry and wet performance with quiet comfort. The tire's lateral slots are chamfered to improve rubber-to-road contact and aid in dry braking, while the 3D full-depth sipes interlock for tread stability. High sipe density creates the biting edges for traction in slippery conditions, and their full depth helps maintain performance over time. The Potenza RE980AS's tread pattern slots and grooves are interconnected to facilitate water evacuation from the contact patch, and open shoulder slots combine with 20% more see-through void than its predecessor to further reduce the risk of hydroplaning.Internal construction of the Potenza RE980AS consists of three polyester sidewall plies and two polyester plies in the tread area to balance handling response and ride comfort. The high-stiffness sidewall filler resists distortion for responsive handling, and the twin steel belts are reinforced by a spirally wound, nylon wrap for high-speed capability.