03/02/2023

New Bridgestone Turanza 6 Delivers Unrivalled Wet Performance

• Developed to meet drivers’ needs and expectations, the new Bridgestone Turanza 6 achieves best-in-class wet performance^[1], superior mileage^[2] and improved fuel/energy efficiency^[2].
• Bridgestone’s new flagship summer touring tyre empowers drivers to stay safe and in control on the road and be prepared to perform, even on a rainy day.
• The ground-breaking TECHSYN and ENLITEN Technology included in the EV-ready Bridgestone Turanza 6 provide drivers with additional efficiency and sustainability benefits.

Bridgestone, a global leader in tyres and sustainable mobility solutions, announced the launch of its new flagship summer touring tyre – the Bridgestone Turanza 6. The premium tyre offers best-in-class wet performance[1] to help keep drivers safe on the road, while also providing enhanced sustainability through superior mileage^[2] and improved fuel/energy efficiency^[2]. The new Bridgestone Turanza 6 gives drivers control and confidence in stressful and unforeseen conditions, including on a rainy day.

According to tests carried out by independent TÜV SÜD, the Bridgestone Turanza 6 outperforms its competitors in the segment with best-in-class wet performance^[1]. This includes being the best in cornering manoeuvres and outstanding straight-line performance. The Bridgestone Turanza 6 also achieves best-in-class EU label A-grade in wet grip for the full line-up.

Extensive consumer research performed by Bridgestone into the needs and expectations of drivers demonstrated that 86% of drivers listed ‘wet performance’ as one of the most important aspects when purchasing a tyre, and rain and wet conditions have been identified as a key challenge they encounter on the road^[3]. With its best-in-class wet performance^[1], the Bridgestone Turanza 6 answers drivers’ expectations and helps to keep them safe on the road even in challenging wet weather conditions – supporting Bridgestone’s long-term commitment to road safety.

Sustainable performance enabled by cutting-edge tyre technologies
Safety isn’t the only performance area of the new Bridgestone Turanza 6. Bridgestone’s latest flagship tyre also delivers superior mileage, with a 22% improvement[2] when compared to its predecessor, the Turanza T005, which remains a test-winning product. The Bridgestone Turanza 6 also provides improved fuel efficiency or extended battery range (depending on vehicle type), delivering a reduction of 4% in rolling resistance versus its predecessor[2] and offering best-in-class EU label A-grade in rolling resistance in selected sizes[4]. This is supported by the introduction of an aerodynamic rimguard, which is designed to reduce the resistance of air on the tyre while driving.

The Bridgestone Turanza 6 is the result of many pioneering technologies, with various ground-breaking innovations in tread pattern, compound and construction that amplify its performance capabilities. These include the cutting-edge and sustainable TECHSYN and ENLITEN - a set of technologies providing best-in-class tyre performance with a step change towards sustainability compared with previous generations, which are both featured for the first time ever on a Bridgestone replacement tyre.

As a sustainable solutions company, Bridgestone is constantly evolving its R&D process to become more efficient and sustainable. For example, the new Bridgestone Turanza 6 was developed using Bridgestone’s ground-breaking Virtual Tyre Development technology. This enables a digital version of an in-development tyre to be created and tested, helping Bridgestone to predict how a tyre will perform in different conditions before physically building prototypes. In the development phase, this sustainable approach leads to a saving of 21% of raw materials and CO2 emissions, while cutting 60,000 kilometres and 7.7 tonnes of CO2 from outdoor testing^[5].

Engineered to be EV-ready
Thanks to the use of the latest technologies such as the ENLITEN Technology, the new Bridgestone Turanza 6 is also perfectly suited to hybrid and electric vehicles, helping to optimise their performance. This includes low rolling resistance to save battery life and address range anxiety concerns, excellent control to address EV-specific driving-related issues, higher wear tolerance to combat tyre wear due to the increased weight and higher torque, and decreased noise for driver comfort owing to the near non-existent engine noise of EVs. The Bridgestone Turanza 6 delivers a reduction of 2db in pass-by noise versus its predecessor^[6].

Sustainable solutions for a sustainable future
Commenting on the Bridgestone Turanza 6 launch was Emilio Tiberio, COO & CTO of Bridgestone EMIA: “We’re delighted to introduce our latest class-leading tyre, the Bridgestone Turanza 6, which was developed using ground-breaking technologies to provide our customers with a safe, sustainable and efficient tyre that performs when they need it most. We’re particularly proud of the Bridgestone Turanza 6’s wet-weather performance, giving drivers control and confidence in the most demanding conditions, even on the rainiest days.”

Developed and manufactured in Europe, the Bridgestone Turanza 6 will be available across the region from January 2023 in a wide coverage – 136 sizes from 16” to 22’’ in the replacement summer line-up^[7] – for both passenger cars and on-road SUVs. This increases coverage in demand with 34 new sizes, with a focus on the high-rim diameter segment.

In the coming months, Bridgestone will reveal several partnerships with leading car manufacturers that have chosen custom-engineered Bridgestone Turanza 6 tyres as original fitments for their new car models.

The Bridgestone Turanza 6 delivers significant benefits in terms of Energy, Efficiency, Ecology, Economy and Ease, in line with the Bridgestone E8 Commitment – the broad, global corporate commitment that clearly defines the value the company is promising to deliver to society, customers, and future generations in eight focus areas.

[1] Tests carried out by TÜV SÜD on the request of Bridgestone in June 2022 at the facilities ATP Papenburg (Germany) & Bridgestone EUPG (Italy) for wet tests with BMW 520i & BMW 530d, on tyre size 245/45 R18 100Y XL. Turanza 6 compared to the performances of main competitors in the same segment: CONTINENTAL Premium contact 6, MICHELIN Primacy 4+, PIRELLI Cinturato P7 (P7C2). Report No. [713263409].
AQUAPLANING LATERAL, rating: BRIDGESTONE Turanza 6 (100,0%), PIRELLI Cinturato P7 (P7C2) (96.9%), CONTINENTAL Premium Contact 6 (92,0%), MICHELIN Primacy 4+ (90.2%).
AQUAPLANING STRAIGHT-LINE, rating: CONTINENTAL Premium Contact 6 (100.2%), BRIDGESTONE Turanza 6 (100,0%), PIRELLI Cinturato P7 (P7C2) (98.9%), MICHELIN Primacy 4+ (98.5%).
LATERAL WET GRIP, rating: BRIDGESTONE TURANZA 6 (100,0%) CONTINENTAL Premium Contact 6 (97,0%), MICHELIN Primacy 4+ (95.1%), PIRELLI Cinturato P7 (P7C2) (93.3%).
WET BRAKING (Ø CALC. Stopping Distance [m] 80-20 km/h ), rating: CONTINENTAL Premium Contact 6 (33,0), BRIDGESTONE Turanza 6 (33,7), PIRELLI Cinturato P7 (P7C2) (34.4),MICHELIN Primacy 4+ (36).
[2] Based on internal benchmark Turanza 6 vs Turanza T005 (ref. size 205/55R16)
[3] Base: All European countries (n=21501) Question: PD5.Which is the most important element you would take into account when choosing tyres? Ranked from High to Low (Consider) – selected – TOP 3
[4] Bridgestone Turanza 6 offers best-in-class EU label A-grade in rolling resistance in selected sizes and others boast an excellent EU label B-grade.
[5] Based on declared CO2 emissions of VW Golf 8 (120g/km), BMW 5Series (121g/km) and VW Tiguan (142g/km), development cars for 205/55R16, 245/45R18 and 235/55R17.
[6] Based on internal benchmark Turanza 6 vs Turanza T005 (ref. size 205/55R16)
[7] The 16’’ size of the Bridgestone Turanza 6 will be launched in 2024