There’s ologic Behind Bridgestone’s BMW Partnership

Bridgestone and BMW have been close partners for many years, but there was something special about the release of the BMW i3 in Australia.

The revolutionary car was fitted with Bridgestone Ecopia EP500 tyres, the first to feature our new ologic technology – and specifically designed by Bridgestone for the new BMW i vehicles.

The tyre has a large diameter and narrow tread pattern, allowing it to deliver significant improvements in aerodynamics and rolling resistance, while still offering outstanding grip in the wet.

“We first saw evidence of the capabilities of our ologic technology in the 2013 Bridgestone World Solar Car Challenge between Darwin and Adelaide, where a number of the competitors relied on Ecopia tyres to gain an advantage,” said Andrew Moffatt, Bridgestone Australia and New Zealand Managing Director.

“It’s fantastic to see that technology transition to the passenger car market through Bridgestone’s exclusive arrangement with BMW.”

There are two components behind the Ecopia EP500’s ultra low-rolling resistance:

1. Minimising tread deformation with a larger diameter, combining the effects of curvature and belt tension; and
2. Reducing aerodynamic resistance by making the tread pattern narrower, thus reducing the frontal surface area.

 The most spectacular achievement is that these improvements don’t involve a trade-off in terms of safety. The tyre’s long contact patch, revolutionary tread design and compound still ensure outstanding grip in both wet and dry conditions.

The Ecopia EP500 is the latest product of our longstanding partnership with BMW both on and off the racetrack. Over 18 years, we have collaborated on a long list of OE fitments and technological developments such as Run-Flat Technology tyres and BMW’s Driving Experience.

Find out more information about the Bridgestone Ecopia EP500 here.