Bridgestone applied its groundbreaking lightweight tyre technology, ENLITEN, on its Turanza Eco tyres, which are now being mounted on Volkswagen new all-electric ID.3 vehicle.

Bridgestone said with the ENLITEN technology enable tyres have a ‘super low rolling resistance’ while requiring less materials to be created.

The Turanza Eco tyres with ENLITEN Technology are available on Volkswagen’s ID.3 in 18, 19, and 20-inch variants. The 19 and 20-inch tyres are equipped with Bridgestone’s B-Seal technology, which ensures temporary air retention in case of a puncture in the tread area, allowing the vehicle to keep going.

During the development of the ID.3, which was Volkswagen’s first all-electric vehicle launched to the market, sought for a tyre fitment that would offer high performance on all surfaces with lower resistance.  Bridgestone responded to all these requirements with a custom developed Turanza tyre with ENLITEN Technology.

With the ENLITEN technology, tyres can have a 30 percent lower rolling resistance and 20 percent, or 2 kg, less materials compared to standard premium summer tyres.

On top of that are ENLITEN Technology’s performance benefits. The synergy between the unique materials used to create ENLITEN Technology and a new mixing process has enhanced the technology’s compound wear performance, without compromising on grip. This, combined with a cavity and full 3D pattern design that maximises wet and wear performance, means that ENLITEN Technology improves the vehicle’s handling to help increase driving pleasure and, in the case of the ID.3, meet all of Volkswagen’s performance targets.

Karsten Schebsdat, Head of Chassis Development, Volkswagen, said,  “The ID.3 is our biggest launch since the Golf. We knew that the tyres had to be perfect if drivers were going to realise all of the vehicle’s performance and environmental benefits. So we selected Bridgestone and its ENLITEN Technology for the ID.3. The significant reduction of rolling resistance allowed by ENLITEN Technology has a huge impact on the ID.3’s battery conservation, which is very important, especially with there being many questions around electric vehicle range today. ENLITEN Technology can go a long way in helping to change perceptions on the viability of e-mobility. It’s a ground-breaking technology for sure.”

 Mark Tejedor, VP Original Equipment at Bridgestone EMIA, also commented: “The recent projects in the all-electric ID family have proved what e-mobility is capable of; in the ID.3 we truly have an electric vehicle that’s designed for everyone. We are very proud at Bridgestone to have helped bring the performance and environmental benefits of ENLITEN Technology to the roads for the first time on Volkswagen’s new all-electric ID.3 vehicle. As a business, we’re committed to providing customisable solutions to Original Equipment Manufacturers, who are our key partners in contributing to the future of mobility, and working with them to create new value for society. The work that we’re doing alongside Volkswagen in this space is exactly that.”

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Pirelli has introduced the P Zero R, an ultra-high-performance tyre created specifically for the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 PRO 4MATIC+, unveiled as the first Official FIA F1 Safety Car fitted with fully variable all-wheel drive. The tyre blends qualifying-level dry performance with precise steering response while maintaining safe wet handling and was engineered to deliver consistent performance during Formula 1 Safety Car deployments, where precision, reliability and control are essential.

The dual-compound tread and tread pattern details, developed through virtualisation, allow high performance in both dry and wet conditions. Co-developed with Mercedes-AMG engineers in Affalterbach and refined using virtual simulation models central to Pirelli's development process, the compounds, land-to-groove ratio and tread channel widths work in synergy with the vehicle's suspension geometry and camber. This optimises the contact patch, maximising grip and steering precision while enhancing high-speed stability without sacrificing wet performance.

The project forms part of Pirelli's role as Formula 1's sole tyre supplier since 2011, a position recently confirmed by the FIA and Formula 1 and extended through to 2028. The relationship stretches back to the inaugural race in 1950, and Pirelli has accompanied the championship's technical evolution, reaching 500 Grands Prix in 2025. Experience gained on track, including in extreme conditions, gives Pirelli a laboratory for innovation whose findings also feed into road tyre development.

Designed to put the power of its 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine onto the road, the 21-inch P Zero R supports an engine producing 450 kW (612 hp) and 850 Nm of maximum torque. The car offers high performance and drivability thanks to the fully variable AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel-drive system, which demands tyres capable of coping with rapid load transfers while letting the car exploit its dynamic potential.

Extensive testing at the Nürburgring and Nardò involved AMG brand ambassador and Official FIA F1 Safety Car Driver Bernd Mayländer and other experienced Safety Car drivers, who praised the tyre's consistency and grip across a wide range of conditions. The first P Zero R developed specifically for a Mercedes-AMG, it confirms a longstanding collaboration built on co-development from the earliest stages of vehicle development, resulting in more than 150 fitments. The tyre carries the MO1 sidewall marking, identifying it as specifically developed for this model.

The previous Official FIA F1 Safety Car from the Affalterbach performance and sports car brand, the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series, which served from 2022 to 2026, also ran on Pirelli P Zero tyres. The latest milestone in the partnership came at the Nürburgring Nordschleife, where the Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 4MATIC+ fitted with Pirelli P Zero Trofeo RS tyres set a record of 7:32.070 minutes, claiming the title of fastest vehicle in its segment on the legendary German circuit.

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Continental has secured two fresh original-equipment approvals from Porsche. Both the SportContact 7 and the newly introduced SportContact 7 Force have been sanctioned for the Panamera G3 II, while the WinterContact TS 860 S is recommended by Porsche for the Cayenne E4 in colder conditions. The approvals cover 21- and 22-inch sizes bearing XL markings that denote greater load capacity.

The SportContact 7 serves as a summer tyre engineered for highly responsive and precise handling. Its tread design and rubber formulation deliver strong grip and brief braking distances on dry and wet surfaces alike, ensuring notable stability at elevated speeds. The SportContact 7 Force, meanwhile, represents a high-performance extension of Continental's summer range.

Developed as a specialised variant of the SportContact 7, the Force version addresses elevated performance and stability requirements. An adaptive tread pattern paired with a refined rubber compound allows for more accurate handling and efficient power transfer under extreme conditions. It blends track-derived capability with suitability for daily driving.

For the Cayenne E4, the WinterContact TS 860 S has been tailored to high-powered, handling-oriented SUVs. It offers short braking distances and precise dry-road handling, alongside solid snow performance for dependable control and stability. Its low rolling resistance may also help extend electric vehicle range.

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Pirelli has been selected as the exclusive supplier of 22-inch tyres for the new BRABUS BODO CABRIOLET, developing a bespoke P Zero for the open-top Gran Turismo. The same tyre is also available for the Coupé variant. The German luxury brand required a solution balancing grip at high speeds with comfort and precision.

BRABUS collaborated closely with Pirelli engineers throughout development, tailoring the tyre to the supercar’s chassis, wheel dimensions and V12 engine, which propels the 2+2-seater to 360 kmph. Attention centred on construction, tread pattern and compound to achieve high-speed performance, steering precision, stability and comfort.

Advanced virtualisation and simulation techniques allowed Pirelli to optimise the tyre’s characteristics before an intensive joint testing programme at Germany’s Papenburg track, where handling and high-speed behaviour were evaluated and fine-tuned for the BODO CABRIOLET.

Aesthetic details also mattered: a high-contrast sidewall reinforces the car’s bold character. The P Zero carries a ‘BB’ marking denoting bespoke development and is offered in 285/30 ZR22 XL front and 335/25 ZR22 XL rear sizes, delivering power and torque without sacrificing Grand Tourer comfort.

Joern Gander, CTO, BRABUS, “The successful development of this 22-inch tyre combination, created together with Pirelli, underlines our ambition to perfectly harmonise maximum performance, precision and driving dynamics with the BRABUS BODO, right down to the smallest detail.”

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NEXEN TIRE will supply its ROADIAN GTX tyres as original equipment for the hybrid version of Kia’s mid-size SUV, the Sorento, following the vehicle’s 2027 model-year update. The refreshed model introduces a new 20-inch ROADIAN GTX lineup alongside the existing 17-inch size.

Both sizes will be offered on the Sorento Hybrid. The 17-inch fitment is designated for vehicles sold in Korea and North America, while the 20-inch version will be available for those sold in Korea. The ROADIAN GTX is an SUV-specific tyre engineered for strong braking, long tread life, quiet operation and ride comfort.

A specialised compound supports consistent performance across diverse temperatures, while a zigzag tread pattern promotes even pressure distribution and reduces vehicle pull. Enhanced mileage extends replacement intervals, addressing hybrid SUV durability and efficiency needs. The tyre has earned OE fitments on global SUV models including the Kia EV5 and EV6, Renault Filante and Jeep Cherokee. NEXEN TIRE plans to deepen partnerships with automakers across Korean and North American markets, expanding worldwide OE supply using technology proven with European premium automakers.

John Bosco (Hyeon Suk) Kim, CEO, NEXEN TIRE, said, "This expanded OE supply demonstrates that our technological excellence and product quality continue to earn recognition in the global market. We will continue to strengthen our partnerships with global automakers and expand our OE tyre supply going forward."

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