Bridgestone's 'ologic technology' gets BMW backing

ERJ staff report (TP)

Brussels, Belgium – Bridgestone revealed it has been chosen by the BMW Group to exclusively develop a range of tires for its revolutionary i3 electric vehicle.

Bridgestone said: “BMW has achieved a genuine milestone with the i3 electric car. Doing justice to its unprecedented levels of both efficiency and performance demanded more than just a new tire but an entire new tire concept.

“[Our] answer came in the form of the ologic technology, which capitalises on the synergies of a large diameter coupled with a narrow tread design. The result is a tire that delivers significant improvements in aerodynamics and rolling resistance, while still offering outstanding grip in wet weather conditions.”

The ologic technology is intended to realise one of Bridgestone’s ‘Long-term Vision’ goals to contribute to a globally agreed-upon target of 50 percent reduction in CO2 emissions by 2050.

Franco Annunziato, CEO and President of Bridgestone Europe, said: “The BMW i3 is very much a car for the future. Developing a unique tire for this unique vehicle was therefore an enormously challenging but also rewarding experience.

“Energy efficiency is an important development criteria for all our tires at Bridgestone. However, it becomes an even more critical factor in an electric car. Which is why we have put all our knowhow, skill and passion into developing this unique tire concept.”

Released together with the BMW i3 in November 2013, the Ecopia EP500 ologic tire is available in four sizes - 155/70 R19 84Q, 175/60 R19 86Q, 155/60 R20 80Q and 175/55 R20 85Q – and two winter varieties – the BLIZZAK LM-500 ologic a lamellen tire [uni-directional studless] and the BLIZZAK NV ologic a studless tire.

The new Bridgestone i3 tire is the latest product of a longstanding partnership with BMW both on and off the racing track. Over the past 17 years, that partnership has included a long list of OE fitments, joint technological developments (such as Run-Flat Technology tires), exclusive collaboration on BMW’s Driving Experience and now, working as an exclusive development partner for the BMW i3.

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Press release from Bridgestone