NASHVILLE, Tenn. — BMW A.G. has selected two versions of Bridgestone's Alenza all-season tire as an OE fitment for the fourth generation X5 and newly developed X7 luxury sport activity vehicles and specified the Bridgestone Blizzak as a recommended winter tire option for both vehicles.
The contract covers 15 sizes and patterns from the Alenza and Blizzak tire lines, Bridgestone said.
"The design and application of a tire plays an important role in ensuring a vehicle performs to its maximum capability," said Shannon Quinn, Bridgestone's president, consumer OE tires, U.S. and Canada.
"We value our strong partnership with BMW and are proud of the collaboration during the development of innovative, performance-driven tire technology for BMW's sports activity vehicle line."
BMW offers two powertrain options for the four-door, five-passenger, all-wheel-drive X5 hatchback — a 335 hp 3-liter turbo inline-six for the xDr40i variant and a 456 hp 4.4-liter turbo V8 for the xDr50i model. Both engines are mated to an eight-speed automatic.
Despite a curb weight of roughly 5,000 pounds, the X5 offers 0-60 mph acceleration of 5.3 seconds for the xDr40i and 4.6 seconds for the V8 model.
BMW has spec'd two run-flat sizes of the Alenza Sport A/S (265/50R19 110H and 275/45R20 110H) and two run-flat sizes of the Alenza 001 (275/45R20 and 305/40R20 front and rear, respectively) for the X5 as well as one regular version of the Alenza 001 (265/50R19).
BMW has approved three sizes of Blizzak LM001 winter tire for the X5 — 255/55R18, 265/50R19 and 275/45R20, the latter two in run-flat configuration.
The X7 is a three-row SUV that seats six or seven people comfortably and offers a lounge-like experience to drivers and passengers alike. The X7 sits on a 122.2-inch wheelbase and overall is 10 inches longer than the X5.
The X7 is offered in either xDrive40i or xDrive50i — the 40i comes with a turbocharged 3-liter inline-six that has 335 hp, while the 50i is equipped with a 4-liter turbocharged V8 that produces 456 hp. Both models channel their respective power output through an eight-speed automatic transmission.
The inline-six model tips the scales at 5,370 pounds while the V8 version is heavier at 5,617 pounds. Despite the girth, the X7 will accelerate 0 to 60 mph in under six seconds and tops out at a governed 130 mph.
The Bridgestone fitments for the X7 are: Alenza Sport A/S RFT — 275/50R20 and 285/45R21; Alenza 001 RFT — 275/50R20; and Alenza Sport A/S — 285/45R21. The recommended winter tire is the Blizzak LM001 RFT ins sizes 255/55R20 and 285/45R21.
The standard tire fitment on the X7 is 275/40R22 front and 315/35R22 rear. An optional fitment is the Pirelli P Zero performance summer tires.
BMW assembles the X5 and X7 at its plant in Spartanburg, S.C.
Bridgestone also has an OE fitment on BMW's smaller X3 sport activity vehicle, along with Hankook Tire America.