Yokohama Rubber Co. said it is providing its new eco tire, the BluEarth-1, to Team Meca Sport Passion, which is participating in the Monte Carlo Rally for Alternative Energy Vehicles, part of the FIA Alternative Energies Cup.
The team is sponsored by Toyota France, a Toyota dealer of Gap (the capital of the Hautes-Alpes department) and by Yokohama Rubber through Yokohama France. Four Toyota hybrid cars will be equipped with BluEarth-1 tires. The rally will take place in the Principality of Monaco from March 31 through April 3.
BluEarth-1 is the flagship model of Yokohama’s BluEarth series, which the tiremaker said is based on an “environmentally, human and socially friendly concept.” It delivers a more comfortable, quieter ride and reduced tire noise outside the car, in addition to high levels of both environmental performance and safety, according to Yokohama. Released in March in Japan, the BluEarth-1 will be marketed overseas, starting in Europe in April.
The FIA Alternative Energies Cup is a series of eco car races organized by FIA. Competition is based on speed and average fuel consumption. This year, 12 races will be staged in 10 countries in various formats, including rallies and 24-hour endurance races. Team Meca Sport Passion plans to compete in eight of the 12 races.