The global tyre manufacturing company Bridgestone announced that Mercedes-Benz AG has selected it as the development partner for tyres for its technology programme - the Mercedes-Benz VISION EQXX.
An official statement from the tyre company noted that developed using its virtual tyre modelling and simulation capabilities, the engineers collaborated with Mercedes-Benz to create the custom-designed tyres that have contributed to increasing the vehicle’s efficiency and thus driving range to a real-world 1,000km – from Sindelfingen, Germany to Cassis, France – on a single charge.
The bespoke Turanza Eco tyres that combine its proprietary and lightweight Enliten Technology to reduce tyre rolling resistance and weight by up to 20%, along with its ologic technology designed to enhance battery range using a large tyre diameter to reduce rolling resistance, and a narrow tyre width to minimise aerodynamic resistance, the company said.
The tyre also comes with optimised sidewalls and a bead area design that match the covers mounted on the 20-inch, forged-magnesium wheels, significantly improving the tyre’s aerodynamics.
The release added that the collaboration on this project sets the stage for the future of EV tyres and is underpinned by a shared EV-ready vision between the companies.
Emilio Tiberio, COO & CTO, Bridgestone EMIA, said, “As part of our commitment to help shape a sustainable future of mobility, Bridgestone is proud to have co-developed with its long-term partner the right tyres for a project as innovative as this.”
The company claims to have allocated 30% of its R&D resources and aims to improve upon its technologies in 2022, he added.