BRUSSELS — Volkswagen A.G. has selected a version of Bridgestone Corp.'s Turanza tire line that features the firm's "Enliten" reduced-weight, low rolling-resistance technology as an OE fitment on the newest version of the Golf hatchback.
Launched in Germany in late August, the eighth generation of the Golf features custom-engineered Turanza Eco tires, which Bridgestone claims offer "super low" rolling resistance for enhanced fuel efficiency, and offer "maximized" wet and wear performance while using fewer raw materials.
The Golf fitment, for the European market, is 205/55R16 91H. Developed at Bridgestone's technology center near Rome, Italy, and produced in Spain, the Turanza Eco tire has been available to the European market since August 2020.
Bridgestone claims tires produced using its Enliten technology lower rolling resistance by up to 30% versus a standard premium Bridgestone summer tire while also weighing as much as 20% less.
This, the company said, contributes to a measurable reduction of fuel consumption and CO2 emissions in a combustion engine vehicle and significantly extends battery life in an electric vehicle. The weight savings amount to about 4.4 pounds per tire.
Bridgestone's Enliten tire technology debuted earlier this summer on VW's all-electric ID.3.