Fitted with Goodyears Eagle RS-A: 2011 Toyota Sienna (Image: Toyota)

The Eagle RS-A features an all-season tread and high-performance traction. A unique asymmetric tread design helps provide superb cornering and a quiet ride.

Goodyear tires are original equipment on many vehicles from Acura, Audi, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, GMC, Hummer, Infiniti, Isuzu, Jeep, Land Rover, Lexus, Mazda, Mercury, Nissan and Toyota. Traditionally, more new vehicles in North America are equipped with Goodyear tires than any other brand.

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Goodyear's Assurance Fuel Max for Toyota Prius (Image: Goodyear)

The 2010 Toyota Prius, with its excellent fuel economy and low emissions, now comes standard with Goodyear’s new fuel-efficient tire, Assurance Fuel Max.

The fitment for the popular Prius will be Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max tires in size P195/65R15. The 2010 Toyota Prius is recognized as one of the top fuel-saving automobiles available in North America.

The Assurance Fuel Max features a fuel-saving tread compound that helps reduce energy loss as the tire rolls. In addition, Wet and Dry Tread Zones enhance all-season traction. The Wet Tread Zone features dual Aquachannel grooves to help evacuate water away from the treadface when driving on wet roads. The Dry Tread Zone helps enhance handling and grip for confident maneuvering on dry pavement.

Assurance Fuel Max also is available as a replacement tire choice for many popular vehicles.

The selection of the new Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max as a standard tire for the 2010 Toyota Prius follows earlier announcements of the tire also being chosen for the 2010 Ford Fusion S and the exclusive fitment for the 2011 Chevrolet Volt.

Goodyear tires are original equipment on many vehicles from Acura, Audi, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, GMC, Hummer, Infiniti, Isuzu, Jeep, Land Rover, Lexus, Mazda, Mercury, Nissan and Toyota.

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Porsche Panamera is fitted with ContiSportContact 3 (Image: Porsche)

The alternative sizes 245/50 ZR 18 (100Y) and 275/45 ZR 18 (103Y) have also been approved by Porsche for the Panamera and carry the special designation ‘N0′.

The sports tires approved by Porsche have to meet the high demands made by Germany’s foremost sports car manufacturer. “Despite exacting requirements in terms of comfort and rolling resistance on the new Panamera, it was naturally important that these were not at the expense of the sporty handling characteristics of a Porsche” commented tire developer Uwe Kachel. “We spent long hours on computer simulations, carrying out trials on test beds and doing thousands of test miles on a range of tracks and racing circuits in Europe to match the tires as closely as possible to the car.”

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With its highly sporty design and powerful engine, the new Ford Focus RS follows in the footsteps of Ford Europe’s RS range of sports cars. Its technical details speak for themselves: over 300 hp (224 kW) accelerate the Ford Focus RS from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.9 seconds and the car’s top speed is 263 km/h (164 mph).

Fittet with Continentals ContiSportContact 3: The Ford Focus RS (Image: Continental)

“The ContiSportContact 3 tyre truly meets the car’s requirements” commented Lars Frick, automotive engineer for Ford tyres at Continental. “The Ford Focus RS needs tyres that support its sporty driving dynamics and transmit the performance of the very high-torque engine (440 newton metres) efficiently to the road. However, the emphasis was on safe driving characteristics and short braking distances, even on wet asphalt. At the same time, Ford expected the tyres to be sporty in design and they have performed very well in the driving dynamics tests carried out on the legendary North Loop of the Nürburgring.”

Europe’s leading tyre manufacturer will now be supplying the ContiSportContact 3 for all new Ford Focus RS models. The tyres are manufactured at the plant in Otrokovice in the Czech Republic and shipped from there to the Ford factory in Saarlouis. Continental will also be providing the Ford works with the exceptionally convenient and lightweight ContiMobilityKit runflat system, which is designed to swiftly restore mobility after tyre failure.

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Bridgestone ECOPIA EP100 (Image: Bridgestone)

The Chicago Auto Show, North America’s largest consumer auto show, set the stage today for the Bridgestone brand’s official launch of its new environmentally friendly tire, the Ecopia EP100, which provides drivers with improved fuel economy without sacrificing wet handling performance.

“We know consumers are concerned about fuel economy and getting the most out of their tires,” said John Baratta, President, Consumer Replacement Tire, Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations (BATO). The Bridgestone Ecopia EP100 is a natural fit for the consumer and a well-timed option considering the challenges in today’s marketplace. This tire offers our lowest rolling resistance technology which improves fuel efficiency, a direct benefit to consumers.”

The Ecopia tire line incorporates Bridgestone’s latest and best low rolling resistance technology. Ecopia targets fuel efficient vehicles, including hybrids and electric vehicles and will be used in original equipment and replacement applications.

The new Bridgestone Ecopia EP100 is the first aftermarket product in the Ecopia tire line for the North American market. The Ecopia EP100 is a summer replacement tire fitment for popular fuel efficient, hybrid and electric vehicles including the Mini Cooper, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic Hybrid, Nissan Versa, Toyota Corolla and a selection of other conventional vehicles. Available in H- and V-speed ratings, the Bridgestone Ecopia EP100 has a UTQG of 400AB and will be offered in six different sizes ranging from 14-16 inch. The tire will be available in March in the first phase of a two-phase rollout in 2009.

“With the Ecopia EP100 we have integrated proprietary Bridgestone technologies to provide low rolling resistance, a smooth, quiet ride, and reliable wet handling and braking. All of these performance characteristics are in response to what the customer has been telling us they want and need,” Baratta added.

The Ecopia EP100 incorporates Bridgestone’s cutting-edge NanoPro Tech Technology which offers consumers improved performance by controlling the interaction between polymers, filler materials and other rubber chemicals used in the manufacture of the tire.

Design elements in the Ecopia EP100 include 3D Cut Circumferential Ribs to help reduce irregular wear and lessen road noise. Consistent Surface Contact, through a special tread block design, improves wet and dry handling and reduces irregular wear. Interconnected Rib Blocks enhance wet performance and help reduce energy loss. High Angle Lateral Grooves are incorporated into the Ecopia EP100 to help avoid hydroplaning.

The Bridgestone Ecopia EP100 comes with the Platinum Pact 3-Year Limited Warranty, which provides replacement at no charge (excluding taxes and disposal fees) if the tire should become unusable for any reason within the manufacturer’s control for up to three years from date of purchase or four years from date of manufacture.

The tire also comes with the Buy & Try 30-day Guarantee, which allows a consumer to receive a full refund or exchange if he or she is not pleased with the tire for any reason within 30 days of purchase (proof of purchase date is required). Certain restrictions and limitations may apply, so consumers should check with their retailers for complete details and conditions.

Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations plans to develop technologies incorporated in the Ecopia EP100 into future product lines to address drivers’ demands for low rolling resistance tires and improved fuel economy.

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Toyota’s “micro-premium” car, the “iQ”, breaks down conventional ideas about size to provide outstanding features in a super compact body. (Image: Bridgestone/Toyota)

Bridgestone has started supplying ECOPIA EP25 tires as standard equipment for Toyota Motor Corporation’s “iQ”, which is scheduled to be released to the Japanese market on November 20, 2008, and in Europe in the beginning of 2009. The tire size will be 175/65R15 84S.

The Bridgestone Group believes that it can make a significant contribution to addressing worldwide environmental issues such as global warming through the development of tires that provide greater reduction in rolling resistance, and thus improve fuel efficiency and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. In calculating carbon dioxide emissions at each stage of the tire lifecycle, from raw materials to disposal, it was discovered that 87%*1 of total emissions occur during the usage stage.

ECOPIA is Bridgestone’s flagship brand of eco-friendly tires that focus on realizing a reduction in rolling resistance. In Japan, ECOPIA tires were first used on electric-powered cars in 1991, setting the stage for the ECOPIA M881 and ECOPIA R221 series of tires for trucks and buses, which were released in the replacement market in 2002. Bridgestone launched the ECOPIA M812 tire for light trucks in 2005, and then the ECOPIA EP100 for passenger cars in April 2008.

Bridgestone plans to further expand its range of ECOPIA brand tires, as well as extend the scope of coverage to the global market and their use on original equipment. Supplying the tire as standard equipment on the Toyota iQ is a major step towards making this a reality. By incorporating technologies used in ECOPIA tires such as NanoPro-Tech*2 into existing product lines, Bridgestone will expand its range of eco-products*3 and plans to make 100% of its passenger car tires for the replacement market in Japan (summer tires) to eco-products by 2014.

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Launched in Europe, the Middle East, South Africa and South America beginning in 2008, the Michelin Energy Saver is the all-new, fourth generation of “green” car tires, available in a complete range. The new name integrates and expresses the mission of a tire dedicated to improving the mobility of people and goods, while also generating cost savings, helping to protect the environment while enhancing user safety.

The Michelin Energy Saver is backed by some impressive figures. By generating fuel savings of nearly 0.2 liters per 100 km in combined city and highway driving*, its reduces CO2 emissions by 4 g per km and the cost of a full tank of gasoline by almost €2.00 (or CHF 3.22)**. As a result, the tire pays for itself in 45,000 km. While the Michelin Energy Saver is remarkable for its energy balance, it also possesses other strengths. Enhanced safety performance and longevity are two other important features of the new lineup. And therein lies the heart and soul of Michelin’s innovative capabilities.

This superior safety performance and low environmental impact have led many carmakers to certify the Michelin Energy Saver for use on their new models. One is Peugeot, which is equipping its new 308 1.6 HDi models exclusively with the new tire.

At the Geneva International Motorshow, Michelin has announced that other carmakers are also pursuing this path:
- Mercedes-Benz has approved the Michelin Energy Saver for its B Class and C Class models.
- Volvo has recently certified Michelin Energy Saver for its C30 Efficiency, S80 and V70.
- Fiat has approved Michelin’s new tire for its 500 series and the Fiorino.
- Renault has certified the tire for the Clio and Twingo.
- Toyota has approved the Michelin Energy Saver for the Yaris.

To top off all these recent developments, on February 21, the Michelin Energy Saver was voted Tire Technology of the Year by an international jury comprised of tire industry professionals, engineers and academics from around the world at the Tire Technology International Awards for Innovation and Excellence. The event recognizes outstanding innovations in the areas of technology, design, environmental performance and manufacturing.

So even with the Michelin Energy Saver still in the market-launch phase, the tire has already received approval from carmakers and recognition from its industry peers.

*ISO test conducted by Germany’s TÜV SÜD Automotive in 2007 on store-bought 175/65 R14, 195/65 R15 and 205/55 R16 tires produced by five major-brand manufacturers.

**Based on a diesel-powered vehicle that consumes around 6 liters per 100 km with fuel priced at an average of €1.20 (CHF 1.93) a liter.

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With petroleum-based products accounting for approximately 60 percent of the cost of a passenger car or light truck tire, the recent dramatic increase in oil prices has had an impact on the cost of Michelin tire.

As a result, Michelin will adjust its prices based on a scale indexed to changes in oil prices. The system is a pledge of transparency and clarity in Michelin’s relations with automakers.

Scheduled to take effect as of April 1, 2008, the new price schedule will be applied to all passenger car and light truck tires sold to automobile manufacturers worldwide.

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The Bridgestone Run-Flat tires supplied to NISSAN have reinforced sidewalls (Bridgestone Side Support Run-Flat technology) to support the vehicle in case of a loss of air pressure. The highly rigid structure of the Bridgestone Potenza RE070R RFT has been specifically tuned for the NISSAN GT-R, and the tire’s new tread design offers excellent handling in both wet and dry conditions. Combined, these features offer impressive performance which is ideal for the enthusiast wishing to drive on the race track.

The NISSAN GT-R adopts a newly developed Premium Midship package, a VR38DETT engine and a GR6 dual-clutch transmission. The new style multi-performance super sports car was designed based on the idea of making the "super sports car life available to anyone, anywhere, at any time."

Bridgestone brand Run-Flat tires continue to function up to a specified maximum distance at up to a specified maximum speed (50 miles at 50 mph) after a loss of air pressure at 0 PSI. In addition, Run-Flat flat tires eliminate the need for a spare tire. This can reduce vehicle weight and save fuel, as well as reduce rubber consumption. Another advantage of Run-Flat tires is the increased latitude they provide automakers in design. A Bridgestone Blizzak winter RFT tire has also been developed to fit the Nissan GT-R for driving in snow and ice.

Bridgestone Run-Flat Tires for NISSAN GT-R

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