New flagship drive tyre from Bridgestone

Bridgestone, has bolstered the capability and versatility of its drive tyre range with the introduction of the M866 – designed and engineered specifically for local conditions.

Bridgestone says it set out to rationalise its drive tyre line up and to match the on-road performance of the M766 with the off-road capability of the M722 to succeed both products – resulting in the M866.

Developed over six years, the M866 is a highly versatile and durable tyre more than suitable for linehaul and outback routes, proven through an extensive 13-million kilometres of local testing.

The M866 marks another step forward for Bridgestone, resetting the benchmark for operating life with the new tyre providing a benefit of up to 10 per cent wear life over the already renowned M766 drive tyre, and 20 per cent more life than its nearest competitor, we’re told.

According to Bridgestone Australia's Sales Director, Heath Barclay, the introduction of the M866 highlights the significance of the Australian market for the global tyre company.

"The M866 is an exciting product for Bridgestone because of the ambitious development objectives we set, and more importantly, achieved. It has a wider range of applications, improving customer benefit with great on-road performance and exceptional off-road results," Mr Barclay said.

"Australia is infamous for having the harshest conditions for truck tyres. We run the heaviest loads, the biggest combinations, face some of the hottest temperatures, and have some of the worst highway conditions – both sealed an unsealed. That's why Bridgestone is committed to ensuring that the truck tyres we offer to Australian customers are designed, engineered, and tested in these demanding conditions.

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"We're proud that our research and development for Australia's truck tyres involves direct input from our own local Technical Field Services team, and we rely on collaboration with the industry to ensure we are meeting the demands of Australian conditions."

The M866 is the second major Bridgestone product release in the past two years, following the launch of the flagship R154 steer tyre, complementing the launch of a completely new Firestone range that saw the introduction of the FS401 steer, FD664 drive, and FT469 trailer tyres.

Bridgestone M866 drive tyre is available at truck equipped Bridgestone Select and Bridgestone Service Centre stores throughout Australia, as well as through its national network of affiliate truck locations.