Tyre technology has grown exponentially in the last two decades, gone are the days when rubber mongers only offer improved grip and durability. Today tyre manufacturers make tyres that can even improve the overall efficiency of the car. Case in point, Bridgestone’s new M851 XM Xtra Mileage Tyre, which they are targeting at the logistics and transport industry. Not only have they increased the tyre life but the new tyre will also offer a lot in the form of fuel savings. Now while the compound used on the tyres are likely to be harder than on standard tyres, it has been designed to maximise the fuel efficiency by drastically reducing drag on the tyre. This could, however, reduce high-speed grip.The tyres have also been given a square shoulder design that evenly distributes the pressure on the tyre so as reduce uneven wear. On the occasion of the launch, Mr Kazutoshi Oyama, Executive Director, Sales and Marketing, said “M851 XM has a special compound which ensures extra tyre mileage benefits to the end users and also maintaining the durability and low rolling resistance. The tyre is specially developed to reduce operating expenses of the fleet owners.”
Bridgestone expects that this technology will help boost their sales not only in India but in most south-east Asian countries, where fleet owners are on the look out for long life high-quality tyres.
