New Bridgestone Blizzak ICE: Designed to tackle even the harshest European winters
New Bridgestone Blizzak ICE: Designed to tackle even the harshest European winters
Bridgestone has engineered the Blizzak ICE for superior performance in severe winter conditions
Bridgestone, the world’s largest tyre and rubber company, is committed to offering mobility solutions that keep drivers going no matter what. Recent tyre launches, including the Turanza T005, Weather Control A005 and Blizzak LM005, have demonstrated Bridgestone’s dedication to premium and high-quality products. This trend continues with the new studless Blizzak ICE winter touring tyre. It has been designed in meet the needs and expectations of drivers as highlighted in targeted market research studies. The tyre delivers outstanding snow and ice performance, superior ride comfort and significantly increases wear life.
Consumer research: the experts have their say
Bridgestone conducted face-to-face discussions with numerous drivers from Northern Europe. The aim was to understand exactly what they wanted from their winter tyres and the driving challenges they faced. Tyre life and environmental friendliness were highlighted as being of great importance to drivers. At the same time, the consumer research also revealed that daily driving included both urban conditions and the open road outside the city. Drivers also needed excellent grip on their tyres, to enable sudden braking and maintain control when exposed to black ice and slushy snow. Designed with the end-user in mind, Bridgestone Blizzak ICE answers all of these demands, while offering safety and confidence to drivers all winter long, even in the most severe conditions.
Getting a grip
Over the past 30 years, Bridgestone has developed a reputation for excellence and innovation in winter studless tyres. The results of the consumer research and the increasing popularity of these tyres in Northern European countries made Bridgestone determined to push the envelope even further with the Blizzak ICE.
Engineered with an all-new tread compound that features the company’s patented Multicell technology, the Blizzak ICE delivers improved stopping distance on ice. Bridgestone Multicell technology is specially formulated with hydrophilic properties that attract water and draw it away from the surface of ice to enhance grip. The Blizzak ICE tyre has not made any compromises on tyre life. While achieving an 8% reduction in braking distance on ice[1], it has increased the wear life by 25% compared to its predecessor[2]. This has been made possible by the new compound formula and the specially designed tread pattern.
Driving comfort
Grip and braking distance are vital for driver safety. Improvements were accomplished on both with the unique tread pattern. The design of the grooves helps to disperse air flow and reduce noise, raising comfort for both drivers and passengers.
Wide availability
The Bridgestone Blizzak ICE will be available in 2019 in 37 sizes from 14’’ to 19’’, with 25 more to follow in 2020. The roll-out covers 86 per cent of market demand to accommodate most passenger cars.
[1] Based on the internal tests carried out in Bridgestone facilities vs. its predecessor Blizzak WS80. Tyre size: 215/55 R17. Tyre life depends on driving style, tyre inflation pressure, tyre and vehicle maintenance, weather condition, etc.
[2] Idem.
Media information:
Liesbeth Denys, Director PR and Corporate Communications, Bridgestone in EMEA: +32 478 78 26 22
About Bridgestone in Europe, Middle East and Africa
We're the EMEA business of the world’s largest tyre and rubber company. For almost 90 years, we've been providing the confidence to get people and goods where they need to go as conveniently as possible, without interruption. That’s as true today as ever and means we’re trusted where it matters most: where the vehicle meets the road. We’re brilliant chemists, engineers and data scientists with some of Europe’s most advanced factories and world-beating technology. We’re uncompromisingly focused on providing real solutions to the real problems that drivers face on the road every day. We keep them going, no matter what.
We’re present in 38 countries in EMEA, employing more than 18,300 people. We have 15 tyre plants in the region, a major R&D centre, and a proving ground. We’re proud to be the largest R&D spender in our industry, investing around €800 million in 2018.
For more information about Bridgestone in EMEA, please visit www.bridgestone-emea.com and www.bridgestonenewsroom.eu. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter and LinkedIn.
