In the framework of consumer research, which was carried out by Bridgestone and focused on car drivers’ needs and expectations, it turned out that 86 per cent of the respondents considered driving performance on wet roads as one of the most important aspects when purchasing a tyre. According to Bridgestone, the company always develops tyres based on customer expectations. The mentioned qualification worked as one parameter standing at the centre of developing the Bridgestone Turanza 6. Road safety got top priority too. Parametres like energy efficieny and mileage have also received more attenion – a focus on saving resources will have a crucial impact on developing products in the future.
When looking at the Bridgestone Turanza 6, the Japanese manufacturer confirms that the most important development goals are clearly balanced. “The high level of safety is not the only outstanding performance criterion of the Bridgestone Turanza 6. The new tyre shows better mileage, which was increased by 22 per cent compared to its predecessor, the Turanza T005, a well-known test winner product. Moreover, the Bridgestone Turanza 6 provides improved fuel efficiency and an increased range of battery. Compared to the predecessor model, rolling resistance was decreased by 4 per cent and it offers a best-in-class EU tyre label A-grade in this category for specific sizes. Additionally, the aerodynamic rim protection, which reduces air resistance while driving, also contributes to this development”, Bridgestone explains in its press release when launching the product.
Technology debut in replacement market
According to people responsible for that area, the new summer tyre is the result of many ground-breaking technologies, which increase tyre performance with different innovations in tread pattern, rubber compound and tyre construction. Among them, there are Techsyn and Enliten, which are to provide first-class performance and at the same time are to contribute more to sustainability compared to previous generations. Bridgestone uses both for a replacement tyre for the first time ever.
Christian Mühlhäuser, Managing Director at Bridgestone Central Europe, says enthusiastically: “The new Bridgestone Turanza 6 is a role model of our passion for technology and confirms our focus on future-oriented innovations. We have continuously been developing our research and development processes in order to make them more efficient and sustainable”. The Turanza 6 was developed with the support of virtual tyre technologies. These enable the draft of a digital tyre. Thus, according to Bridgestone’s information, already before the production of a physical prototype it is possible to predict in detail how a tyre will react to certain conditions. During the development period, this approach led to saving up to 21 per cent of raw materials and CO2 emissions, whereas at the same time 60,000 kilometres and 7.7 tonnes of CO2 were saved during out-door tests.
Thanks to the use of the Enliten tyre technology, which provides light-weight construction, the Bridgestone Turanza 6 is perfectly suited to hybrid and electric vehicles. The range of requirements consists of lower rolling resistance to save battery life as well as excellent driving control in order to deal with vehicle-specific demands. Increased wear tolerance is to balance higher weight and torque. Some new technological innovations are also (less) audible: “The Bridgestone Turanza 6 reduces noise development in road traffic by 2dB compared to its predecessor”, says its manufacturer.
Intensified OE activities
As of January 2023, the Bridgestone Turanza 6, which was developed and produced in Europe, will be available in 136 sizes from 16 to 22 inches in Bridgestone’s summer tyre portfolio both for passenger cars and SUVs. Thus, the tyre will cover a broad range in the market and, according to Bridgestone, will take a growing demand for high-rim diameter (HRD) tyres into account. There have as well been many activities in the OE market: During the next months, Bridgestone will announce several partnerships with leading car manufactures that decided in favour of tailor-made Bridgestone Turanza 6 tyres as original fitments for their new car models.
