Bridgestone and long-time auto manufacturer partner Volkswagen have unveiled a new groundbreaking lightweight tyre technology, Enliten Technology, applied on the roads for the first time on the latter’s all-electric ID.3 vehicle.
Tyres with the innovative Enliten Technology have super low rolling resistance to help conserve the ID.3’s battery power and are much lighter than equivalent standard premium summer tyres of the same size. The Enliten Technology will feature on Bridgestone’s Turanza Eco tyres specially engineered for the ID.3 in 18-, 19-, and 20-inch variants. The 19 and 20-inch tyres are also equipped with Bridgestone’s B-Seal technology, which ensures temporary air retention in case of a puncture in the tread area, allowing the vehicle to keep going.
Bridgestone’s new tyre technology sets a significantly lowered standard in material use and rolling resistance to deliver substantial environmental benefits: Enliten tyres demonstrate a rolling resistance that is up to 30% lower than a standard premium summer tyre. This contributes, in a combustion engine vehicle, to reduced fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, and significantly extends battery life in an electric vehicle. Enliten tyres enable further fuel/battery conservation by being reduced in weight by up to 20% than equivalent standard premium summer tyres. This equates to up to 2kg fewer raw material resources required to produce every tyre.
In addition to this, unique materials and a new mixing process used has enhanced the technology’s compound wear performance, without compromising on grip. This is combined with a cavity and full 3D pattern design that maximises wet and wear performance, which means that EnlitenTechnology improves the ID.3’s handling to help increase driving pleasure and is perfect for a vehicle created with sustainability front of mind.
“The ID.3 is our biggest launch since the Golf,” said Karsten Schebsdat, Head of Chassis Development, Volkswagen. “We knew that the tyres had to be perfect if drivers were going to realise all of the vehicle’s performance and environmental benefits. So we selected Bridgestone and its Enliten Technology for the ID.3. The significant reduction of rolling resistance allowed by Enliten Technology has a huge impact on the ID.3’s battery conservation, which is very important, especially with there being many questions around electric vehicle range today. Enliten Technology can go a long way in helping to change perceptions on the viability of e-mobility.”
Mark Tejedor, VP Original Equipment at Bridgestone EMIA, also commented, “The recent projects in the all-electric ID family have proved what e-mobility is capable of; in the ID.3 we truly have an electric vehicle that’s designed for everyone. We are very proud at Bridgestone to have helped bring the performance and environmental benefits of Enliten Technology to the roads for the first time on Volkswagen’s new all-electric ID.3 vehicle.
“As a business, we’re committed to providing customisable solutions to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), who are our key partners in contributing to the future of mobility, and working with them to create new value for society. The work that we’re doing alongside Volkswagen in this space is exactly that.”