Bridgestone launches new set of eco-tires in Thailand

Bridgestone recently launched a new breed of eco-friendly tires in Thailand, and I was fortunate enough to have been invited to cover for the Philippine Daily Inquirer. The launch was pretty low-key and straightforward, highlighted by us, media peeps, getting our hands on several cars fitted with the new set of Ecopia tires.

Ecopia, of course, is the tire company's most environmental friendly line of tires. In its newest range, it was clear that Bridgestone made good use of the technology available today in developing them, with the promise to deliver not just eco-benefits but also improved fuel economy, safety, reliability and longer-lasting life.

Along with motoring reporters from Asia, we tested the new line of tires--the EP150, EP200 and EP850 (more details below) at the Thai Bridgestone Proving Ground in Wangnoi Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, a two-hour drive from Bangkok.

During the actual test drive, there was heavy downpour, to the point where we had to delay our activities and wait for the weather to cooperate. There were no shortage, of course, of jokes from the other media peeps about how we'll really be able to test the new tires' wet resistance feature.

When the weather did become more favorable, and after a morning of listening to the tires specs from Bridgestone officials, we got behind the wheel. For someone like me who does not cover the motoring beat on a regular basis, it wasn't easy to gauge the tires' performance against other products. But I have covered previous launches of older Ecopia tires, so I have a basis for comparison.

But as it is, the tires' performance was solid. The incremental improvement from their latest iteration should go along way. Also, my fellow reporters (who has been covering the automobile beat for years) seem satisfied. That's saying something.

After the test drive, we went back to our hotel in Bangkok. We stayed at the LeBua Hotel, which became famous because "The Hangover II" was partly shot there. And the hotel wouldn't let us forget it--the film's poster were still all over the place.

During our last night in Bangkok, all of us, participants, had dinner together. And while the media briefing earlier that day was informative, an informal chat with the Bridgestone officials, who flew in from Singapore and Japan, were a more fun and satisfying chat.

While having dinner, we talked about how long it takes for Bridgestone to develop a particular tire model (more than 2 years); how expensive it is to build a model tire and test it; what these officials do when they're not talking to us, media people. It was like having a private press conference.

Here's the lowdown on the three new Bridgestone Ecopia tires:

• EP150. This eco-tire is suitable for use on compact to small-size sedans, features a new tread design with rib-linked blocks that enables uniform contact when braking and enhances stopping power even in wet conditions. Its optimized 3D block shape also minimizes block lift off which means greater safety for its users. While rolling resistance is reduced, the EP150 achieves advances in both low rolling resistance and eco-saving benefits.

• EP200. Suitable for use mainly on medium-size sedans, the EP200 features a more flexible outer layer and a harder inner layer. Its leaf-shaped blocks tread design feature both the high-angle lug grooves that aid in inhibiting block deformation, as well as a reversed Z-shaped design that helps stabilize ground contact. EP200 also makes use of the new Nano Pro-Tech process which uses silica more effectively, inhibiting heat generation, and leading to further reduction in energy loss and lowered rolling resistance.

• EP850. Meant for on-road SUVs in the region, the EP850 inherits the popular performance of highway luxury (or highway touring) category of tires and combines it with environmentally-friendly performance. It’s a better alternative for consumers who have previously used Bridgestone’s DUELER H/L683 for SUVs as EP850 has a better ride comfort and less noise while enjoying improved fuel efficiency with its lowered rolling resistance.

 
Here are more interesting things about the new tires:

• Aside from the low CO2 emissions, the new Ecopia tires also use higher-quality, smaller energy loss rubber that suppresses tire heat generation, thereby avoiding resistance by reducing energy loss

• Ecopia is a play on the words “ecology” and “utopia.”  It's a brand that has been around for 20 years.

• According to the tests conducted by the Japan Automobile Transport Technology (JATA), compared to conventional tires, the EP150, EP200, and EP850 provided up to 4.3 percent, 8.1 percent, and 3.9 percent better fuel consumption, respectively.

• The improved fuel consumption resulted in reduction of CO2 emissions by 7.1 percent (EP150), 11.1 percent (EP200), and 3.0 percent (EP850) when compared to conventional tires.

• The Ecopia tires combine higher fuel efficiency and safety. They are characterized by reduced rolling resistance, achieved through a compound unique to Ecopia, which means it can travel longer distances with the same amount of energy as opposed to a conventional tire, hence saving on fuel consumption.

• The launch carried the slogan “More savings, More road.” The new Ecopia tires became available in Southeast Asia in June. In the Philippines, it comes before the year ends.

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