BERLIN—When German car maker Volkswagen A.G. launched its all-electric ID.3 passenger vehicle in Berlin, the event also marked the commercial debut of tires built with Bridgestone Corp.'s Enliten lightweight tire technology.
Bridgestone said the ID.3—a four-door, five-passenger long wheelbase hatchback with a modular electric drive layout—rolls on Enliten-based Turanza Eco tires engineered for the all-electric vehicle ID.3.
The Enliten technology, unveiled last summer, enables tires to have a "super low" rolling resistance while using up to 20 percent less raw materials versus conventional tire construction.
Bridgestone said it worked with VW during the development stage of the ID.3 to deliver tires that offer "a high level of performance in both the wet and dry, good braking, long life, and—most importantly—super low rolling resistance."
The tires' low rolling resistance will have a significant impact on the vehicle's energy consumption, thereby increasing the ID.3's battery range.
According to the tire maker, tires produced using the technology can cut rolling resistance up to 30 percent versus a standard premium Bridgestone summer tire. In a vehicle with an internal combustion engine, using Enliten-based tires contributes to reduced fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, and in electric vehicles it extends battery life "significantly."
According to Bridgestone, a combination of "unique materials" and a new mixing process enhances the technology's compound wear performance, without compromising on grip.
Furthermore, Enliten also employs a cavity and full 3D pattern design, which Bridgestone claims "maximizes wet and wear performance."
The Turanza Eco tires with the new technology are available on Volkswagen's ID.3 in 18-, 19-, and 20-inch rim diameter sizes. The 19- and 20-inch tires are equipped with Bridgestone's B-Seal automatic sealant technology for continued mobility.
"The significant reduction of rolling resistance allowed by Enliten Technology has a huge impact on the ID.3's battery conservation," Karsten Schebsdat, head of chassis development, Volkswagen, said.
The technology, he said, "can go a long way in helping to change perceptions on the viability of e-mobility."
The ID.3 launches in three trim levels:
- ID.3 Pure, with a battery generating 45 kWh in energy, enabling a range of up to 205 miles between charges;
- ID.3 Pro features a 58 kWh battery with a range of up to 260 miles; and
- ID.3 Pro S boasts a battery capacity of 77 kWh and a potential range of up to 340 miles.
Mark Tejedor, vice president, OE at Bridgestone EMIA, said the tire maker was committed to providing "customizable solutions to OEMs, who are our key partners in contributing to the future of mobility."