Bridgestone has collaborated with its long-term partner Volkswagen to bring its groundbreaking lightweight tyre technology to the car manufacturer’s new all-electric ID.3 vehicle. The environmentally friendly ENLITEN Technology, which enables tyres to have a super low rolling resistance while requiring less materials to be created, is being applied by Bridgestone for the first time on Turanza Eco tyres specially engineered for the ID.3.
Created to bring the benefits of e-mobility to more everyday drivers, the long-awaited ID.3 is Volkswagen’s first all-electric vehicle launched to the market. During the ID.3’s development, Volkswagen sought a tyre fitment that offered a high level of performance in both the wet and dry, good braking, long tyre life, and, most importantly, super low rolling resistance. That’s because rolling resistance can have a huge impact on fuel use and, in this case, the ID.3’s battery power operating range.
Bridgestone responded to all these requirements with a custom developed Turanza tyre with ENLITEN Technology. Bridgestone’s new innovative lightweight tyre technology sets a new lowered standard in material use and rolling resistance to deliver significant environmental benefits – perfect for a vehicle created with sustainability front of mind.
ENLITEN Technology tyres demonstrate a rolling resistance that is up to 30 percent lower than a standard premium summer tyre.[1] This contributes, in a combustion engine vehicle, to a reduction of fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, and significantly extends battery life in an electric vehicle – ensuring that ID.3 drivers can enjoy the vehicle’s maximum range. In addition, tyres with ENLITEN Technology enable further fuel/battery conservation by being reduced in weight by up to 20 percent from equivalent standard premium summer tyres.1 This equates to up to 2kg fewer raw material resources required to produce every tyre, another environmental benefit from both a resources and final end-of-life stage management standpoint.
On top of that are ENLITEN Technology’s performance benefits. The synergy between the unique materials used to create ENLITEN Technology and a new mixing process has enhanced the technology’s compound wear performance, without compromising on grip. This, combined with a cavity and full 3D pattern design that maximises wet and wear performance, means that ENLITEN Technology improves the vehicle’s handling to help increase driving pleasure and, in the case of the ID.3, meet all of Volkswagen’s performance targets.
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