Bridgestone launches Ecopia EP001S tyre at Paris Motor Show

First Bridgestone tyre with top EU Label A/A grades for fuel efficiency and wet grip, on sale across Europe from October 2012.

Bridgestone has introduced the Ecopia EP001S tyre on the market: the company’s first tyre to carry top EU Label A/A grades for both fuel efficiency (RRC = A) and wet grip (WGI = A), as defined by the new European Tyre Regulation (EC) n° 1222/2009.

One of the world’s first

Developed and manufactured in Japan, Ecopia EP001S is also one of the world’s first tyres with both A/A grading in Europe and the top AAA grade in the Japanese rating system.

Officially unveiled and presented at this year’s Paris Motor Show (29th September to 14th October), the EP001S will be sold as the Ecopia flagship product in Europe, distributed through traditional sales channels in the EU tyre replacement market. It will initially be available in the popular size 195/65 R15 91H.

“The Ecopia EP001S demonstrates Bridgestone’s technical expertise, making a tyre with both rolling resistance and wet safety at the highest grading level” says Jose Enrique Gonzalez, Director Consumer Marketing and Sales Support, Bridgestone Europe.

Low rolling resistance without compromise

The advanced design of the Ecopia EP001S features Bridgestone’s revolutionary NanoPro-Tech™ compound, with micro-silica and aqua powder, which translates into limited energy loss and low rolling resistance without compromising other areas of performance. 

Outstanding wet grip is provided by the EP001S tread design featuring thick, straight grooves to reduce hydroplaning and long horizontal sipes to improve contact with wet surfaces, for better wet braking. (1)  The carved groove surface improves block stiffness and secures efficient drainage. Overall grip is enhanced by the round rib-edge design which equalizes the pressure spread across the tread blocks.

Improvements achieved versus Ecopia EP150 (2) 

The special compound of the EP001S reduces energy losses and achieves 16% better rolling resistance than the Ecopia EP150, already in the market.

Thanks to the enhanced balance between compound properties and tread pattern design, in terms of wet braking the EP001S has an 11% improvement in braking distance, while retaining the same qualities as the EP150 for excellent performance in wet and dry handling. The EP001S’ consistent surface contact and convex center block design will also provide for a quiet drive, herewith already being compliant with future 2016 EU regulation

In addition to the top level fuel efficiency and wet grip of the new Ecopia EP001S, Bridgestone testing also shows that the tyre’s wear rate and dry braking level are extremely competitive and comparable to the high levels achieved by the Ecopia EP150 already in the market. 
 

¹ Compared to the Bridgestone B250 (Size 195/65/15).
² Size 195/65R15 91H. Internal testing carried out in Rome in 08-09/2012. Braking distance on wet road from 80km/h to 20km/h; braking distance on dry road from 100km/h to 0km/h.; Test Car: VW GOLF 2.0tdi; Location: Bridgestone’s European Proving Ground, Rome, Italy.