BRIDGESTONE HAS unveiled its new eco-friendly tyre, the Ecopia EP150. According to the company the tyre combines wet safety with reduced rolling resistance.
Low rolling resistance leads to higher fuel efficiency and lower CO2 emissions. Many of these tyres have been criticised for their wet weather performance.
The new tyre features technology called NanoPro-TechTM combined with a new tread design. This produces a lower rolling resistance coefficient by reducing energy loss in the top compound during rotation. The new tread design features a connected block and thin rib, which enhances contact pressure and wet braking performance.
Bridgestone claims a 15 per cent improved rolling resistance (versus current Bridgestone products in the same dimensions) which makes it, on average, 3 per cent more fuel efficient and achieves a reduction of 3 per cent in CO2 output.
The Ecopia EP150 will be introduced as an integrated replacement and original equipment product during 2010, targeting compacts and mid-sized passenger cars with 14-inch to 16-inch rim sizes in 55 to 70 series.