BMW Equips New 6 Series with Bridgestone Runflat Tires in Japan

Bridgestone Corporation announced that it has begun supplying Potenza RE050 runflat tires to BMW for factory installation on 6 Series models sold in Japan.

The new 6 Series is a family of coupes and convertibles powered with 4.4-liter engines. It debuted in Europe in autumn 2003 and in Japan and North America this spring. Bridgestone runflats appear on all of the 6 Series cars that BMW presently sells worldwide. BMW began taking orders in Japan in October for the coupes, and it began delivering cars to Japanese customers this spring.

Bridgestone supplies two sizes of Potenza RE050 runflat tires – 245/45R18 96W and 275/40R18 99W – as standard equipment for the 6 Series. It supplies Potenza 050 runflats in another two sizes – 245/40R19 94W and 275/35R19 96W – as optional equipment.

The Potenza RE050 runflat tires that BMW installs on the 6 Series employ sidewall reinforcement technology that is a runflat technology developed at Bridgestone. The new 6 Series is the fifth BMW model family equipped with Bridgestone runflats. Most recently, BMW adopted Bridgestone runflats on the new 5 Series family. The Potenza RE050 tires on the 6 Series are similar to the tires on the 5 Series, but they feature an asymmetric tread pattern and increased rigidity to help evoke the sportier character of the 6 Series.

In addition to increasing safety, runflats eliminate the need for carrying spare tires. That contributes to fuel economy through weight savings, and it gives automakers greater latitude in designing vehicles. Eliminating the spare tire also reduces rubber consumption and rubber scrap.

Bridgestone began supplying automakers with runflat tires for mass production vehicles in 1999 and has since delivered runflats for factory installation on ten vehicle models.