Porsche has selected Bridgestone, a world leader in high-end tires and environmentally friendly transportation options, to create custom tyres for its next Macan Electric and Panamera vehicles. Custom-engineered Bridgestone Potenza Sport ultra-high-performance tyres are now available for both cars. The Panamera, Porsche's third-generation sporty luxury sedan, may also be equipped with custom Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 tyres, which are Bridgestone's first winter original fitting for the car.

The tread and compound design of the Porsche Macan Electric's custom Potenza Sport tyre manages the electric sport utility vehicle's (SUV) high weight and torque while enhancing the vehicle's dynamic sports performance. Bridgestone's signature ultra-high-performance tyre, tailored to Macan Electric's specific needs, maximises handling in dry, wet and high-speed conditions. Along with improved rolling resistance to enable the vehicle's about 600 km range, this also includes improved braking comfort and performance. ENLITEN Technology makes these performance advantages possible. Bridgestone's next-generation technology platform, ENLITEN, is intended to provide unwavering performance while emphasising sustainability features. Developed and manufactured in Europe, the Macan Electric’s bespoke tyres are available globally in six dimensions across 20’’, 21’’ and 22’’ sizes.

In addition to offering reduced rolling resistance for energy efficiency, the 21" Bridgestone Potenza Sport tyres for the Porsche Panamera are designed with ENLITEN Technology to improve the vehicle's dynamic driving characteristics and driver comfort. The custom-made Potenza Sport ultra-high-performance tyres for the Panamera maximise dry handling, wet handling and high-speed performance through their pattern design and material composition. To improve the car's performance in winter circumstances, the Panamera's custom 20" Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 winter fitment uses a pattern design that optimises dry, wet and snow handling. These specially made tyres are all created and manufactured in Europe.

In order to meet Porsche's specifications for the Porsche Macan Electric and Panamera, Bridgestone's Virtual Tyre Development was essential. The technology was specifically employed to improve the dry braking characteristics of the custom tyres and guarantee that they were properly matched with the braking systems of the cars. Up to 60 percent less raw materials and CO2 emissions are used during the creation of original equipment tyres thanks to this technology, which also increases the sustainability and efficiency of the tyre development process. By combining the enormous weight and torque of an SUV electric vehicle with the dynamic sporty behaviour of the Macan Electric, Virtual Tyre Development also made it possible to retain a high degree of stability at high speeds.

Steven De Bock, Vice President Original Equipment (OE) at Bridgestone EMEA, said, “After our collaboration on the Porsche Cayenne, we’re breaking new ground in our partnership and offering premium tyre fitments to help enhance the driving experience of new Porsche models. We’re proud to share two firsts – the Panamera’s first Bridgestone OE fitment and our first bespoke tyre for an electric Porsche car with the Macan Electric. It is exciting to showcase our ability to provide a range of premium fitments that will help Porsche’s drivers get the most out of these two incredible and very different cars.”

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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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