Revealed today (May 12), Bridgestone will use its proprietary Virtual Tyre Development technology to create a new tyre, with hopes of reducing rolling resistance on Hopium’s high-end sedan. 

The hydrogen fuel cell powered Machina, which was unveiled in June 2021, boasts a speed of 200km/h (124mph), is hoping to add to its 1000km (250m mile) range with this new partnership. 

Read more: Hopium teases plans for new hydrogen luxury car 

Read more: Hopium unveils hydrogen-powered sedan prototype 

Hopium’s Machina has already proved popular with the company announcing in June last year it had received 1,000 pre-orders for the €120,000 ($142,000), mid-luxury car. 

Olivier Lombard, Founder and CEO at Hopium, said, “Since its start, Hopium has made it a point of honour to collaborate with the best in their fields.  

“With considerable expertise in designing tyres and tyre technologies for newer types of mobility, Bridgestone will surely bring valuable learnings to the partnership, helping us live up to the challenges ahead.” 

Lombard, former Le Mans 24-hour grand prix winner, hopes that his company’s efforts will provide mobility solutions to meet the global environmental challenges.   

Bridgestone are using the project to reach goals under its own E8 Commitment, which pledged to support a ‘sustainable society’. 

Steven De Bock, Vice-President Consumer Replacement and OE at Bridgestone EMIA, said, “This exciting partnership with Hopium once again demonstrates our support for the next generation of innovative mobility pioneers.  

“We’re placing our recognised expertise at the service of a real game-changer in the field of zero-emission mobility and helping bring about a more sustainable future of mobility in the process.” 

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