Hopium banks on Bridgestone to develop bespoke tyres for hydrogen-powered Machina

PARIS: French upstart Hopium is working with Bridgestone to develop premium tyres for its high-end sedan,  the Machina.

The goal of the partnership is to design bespoke tyres with low rolling resistance technology, a major factor to enhance the fuel cell vehicle's 1,000km driving range.

The tyres will be created using Bridgestone's proprietary Virtual Tyre Development technology, which is said to offer significant benefits in terms of efficiency and sustainability.

Although the partners did not say when the tyres would be ready, it is expected to be by 2025 when the 500hp Machina would go into production.  Hopium is currently accepting deposits for the first 1,000 cars.

Hopium is founded and led by Olivier Lombard, the youngest winner of the 24 hours of Le Mans.