Pirelli has announced the introduction of two new motorcycle tyres in 2025: the DIABLO POWERCRUISER and the SCORPION MX32 MID SOFT. These additions will further expand the company’s diverse range of motorcycle tyres.
DIABLO POWERCRUISER: A new custom-touring tyre
The DIABLO POWERCRUISER represents a new chapter in Pirelli’s Custom-Touring range, explicitly tailored for high-performance sport Cruiser and Bagger motorcycles. Designed for bikes with powerful torque and sharp handling, it targets owners who seek a blend of aesthetic appeal and superior performance.
Part of the DIABLO family, which embodies Pirelli’s sporting DNA, the DIABLO POWERCRUISER combines the brand’s performance heritage with the free-spirited ethos of the custom bike community. The tyre delivers exceptional grip, stability, and handling across various conditions, including wet surfaces, while offering durability in line with its segment.
Key features include a slick shoulder for enhanced dry performance and a central tread pattern showcasing Pirelli’s iconic Flash design. The tyre will be available from March 2025 in popular sizes for American Cruisers and Baggers.
SCORPION MX32 MID SOFT: Built for champions
The SCORPION MX32 MID SOFT, successor to Pirelli’s highly successful motocross tyre, builds on the brand’s dominance in the FIM Motocross World Championship, where it has secured 82 titles since 1980.
Developed with insights from decades of top-level competition, the new SCORPION MX32 MID SOFT offers enhanced braking performance and cornering for the front tyre, while the rear provides improved traction for quicker starts and corner exits. It is also more versatile on medium-hard terrain.
The tyre will debut in the next Motocross World Championship, equipping bikes ridden by top competitors. Like all Pirelli racing tyres, it will also be available for purchase by motocross enthusiasts.
Advanced technology
Both new tyres feature high-contrast sidewall lettering for improved readability. Additionally, the SCORPION MX32 MID SOFT includes a distinctive yellow Pirelli label for easy identification at the track.
With these innovations, Pirelli aims to strengthen its position across both custom-touring and motocross markets, ensuring riders benefit from the latest advancements in tyre technology.
Continental Secures OE Approval For Volkswagen ID. Cross
- By TT News
- November 06, 2026
Continental has secured original-equipment approval for Volkswagen's new ID. Cross, an all-electric compact SUV that will leave the factory fitted with the EcoContact 7 summer tyre in 17-, 18- and 19-inch dimensions. For colder conditions, Volkswagen recommends the WinterContact TS 870 P, while the 18-inch AllSeasonContact 2 is suggested for motorists favouring a single year-round set.
Engineered for low rolling resistance and high mileage, the EcoContact 7 supports energy-efficient, cost-effective motoring. Its Smart Energy Casing technology employs innovative materials in the carcass, inner layer and sidewall to cut internal friction, while an Aerodimple sidewall structure reduces air turbulence behind the tyre and thus aerodynamic drag. A Silent Pattern tread design also dampens rolling noise, especially at city speeds.
The WinterContact TS 870 P relies on its tread pattern and sipe layout for secure grip on snow and ice. The AllSeasonContact 2, meanwhile, offers dependable traction on dry and wet roads as well as in wintry conditions. Approved fitments span the EcoContact 7 in 225/55 R17 97T FR, 225/50 R18 95V and 225/45 R19 92T FR, plus the AllSeasonContact 2 and WinterContact TS 870 P, both in 215/50 R18 96T XL, across numerous countries.
Dunlop Begins OE Supply Of GRANDTREK Tyres For Updated Lexus LX
- By TT News
- November 02, 2026
DUNLOP (company name: Sumitomo Rubber Industries) has started equipping its GRANDTREK H/T31 and GRANDTREK H/T31T SUV tyres as original fitment on the LEXUS LX, following the flagship model's October model-year refresh. The supply arrangement extends the tyre maker's long-running association with Toyota's premium SUV lineup.
Engineered to complement the LX's dual character, the GRANDTREK tyre supports a vehicle that merges serious off-road ability with polished on-road manners. The updated LX brings revised tuning for greater ride comfort and handling poise, giving drivers reassurance across widely varying surfaces and conditions worldwide.
Two distinct grades shape the tyre fitment strategy. The OVERTRAIL+ variant moves to a larger 265/70R18 size from the previous 265/65R18, paired with added minimum ground clearance for tougher terrain. Meanwhile, the newly introduced F SPORT grade targets a sharper, more engaging driving experience, wrapped in styling that reads both muscular and elegant.
The GRANDTREK H/T31, specified for F SPORT, employs a highway-terrain pattern and fresh tread compound to balance low noise, fuel efficiency and wear resistance. DUNLOP's Nano Black sidewall treatment deepens the black finish of brand logos for greater visibility and a premium look. The H/T31T, reserved for OVERTRAIL+, strengthens on-road behaviour while delivering the comfort and load-bearing toughness the LX's heavy body demands, its exclusive sidewall design projecting rugged presence and refined off-road character.
Toyota’s Lexus GX550 OVERTRAIL+ To Run On DUNLOP GRANDTREK H/T31T Tyres
- By TT News
- October 31, 2026
DUNLOP (company name: Sumitomo Rubber Industries) has confirmed that its GRANDTREK H/T31T tyres are now fitted as original equipment on the Toyota LEXUS GX550 OVERTRAIL+, a variant of the premium SUV that was refreshed for the new model year in September.
First introduced to the market in 2002, the LEXUS GX550 has been sold chiefly in North America, developing a reputation as a luxury SUV that remains comfortable even on unpaved surfaces. The latest update sharpens both ride comfort and handling stability, further elevating ride quality and delivering assured control across varied terrain. The OVERTRAIL+ grade gains larger tyres, growing from 265/65R18 to 265/70R18, together with greater minimum ground clearance, boosting off-road ability on demanding terrain while pairing a bold, muscular appearance with a quiet cabin on the road.
Developed afresh to deliver on-road capability alongside the reliability and durability cultivated across the GRANDTREK line, the H/T31T employs a highway terrain tread pattern and new tread rubber compound. These enhancements raise high-speed stability, quietness, fuel efficiency and wear resistance while the tyre balances ride comfort with the strength required to support the LEXUS GX550's hefty body. A redesigned sidewall reinforces toughness and presence, echoing the vehicle's commanding styling and merging rugged SUV solidity with urban refinement.
The GRANDTREK family comprises DUNLOP-brand tyres tailored to SUVs and pickup trucks. Its wide lineup of dependable products, proven through fitment on numerous new SUV and 4x4 models, addresses a broad range of customer requirements.
Kenda To Supply Original Equipment Tyres For The Blank Slate
- By TT News
- October 30, 2026
Kenda Tires will serve as the official original equipment tyre supplier for The Blank Slate, the electric pickup from Slate Auto. The global tyre and wheel manufacturer has been tapped to equip the vehicle with its KLEVER S/T EV, a tyre built around the performance, efficiency and durability demands of Slate's eagerly awaited truck.
Engineering personnel from both firms collaborated on the research, development and production of a tyre calibrated to the Slate truck's weight, torque output, efficiency targets, ride and handling traits and expected driving conditions. Kenda will also furnish accessory tyre lines, giving buyers room to personalise their trucks without compromising the platform's performance, safety and quality benchmarks.
Slate Auto has attracted broad industry attention for its unconventional take on electric vehicle ownership, centred on affordability, simplicity and personalisation. Bringing a dedicated OE tyre supplier on board marks a meaningful milestone as the company works toward a production-ready vehicle and supply chain.
The KLEVER S/T EV was purpose-built for the Slate application, with features that address the heft and instant torque characteristic of electric drivetrains. Its low rolling resistance design helps stretch efficiency and range, while reinforced construction bolsters durability, handling and tread life. Engineers at Kenda's American Technical Center in Akron, Ohio, supported development, collaborating closely with automakers on tailored solutions for emerging mobility platforms. The tyre debuts as original equipment on The Blank Slate when production starts in November 2026, timed to Slate Auto's schedule.
Jimmy Yang, Global President, CEO and Chairman, Kenda Industrial, said, "As the automotive industry continues to evolve, Kenda remains committed to delivering innovative tyre technologies that meet the needs of both manufacturers and its consumers. Our collaboration with Slate Auto represents an exciting opportunity to support a company that is reimagining electric mobility through accessibility, personalisation and practicality. We are proud to contribute our engineering and production expertise with our EV-focused technology to help bring The Blank Slate to market."
Brandon Stotsenburg, Vice President of Automotive for American Kenda Rubber, said, "This partnership reflects Kenda's continued growth in the original equipment automotive market and our ability to develop purpose-built solutions for next-generation vehicles. The KLEVER S/T EV was designed to address the specific challenges EVs present, from increased vehicle weight and instant torque to efficiency and ride comfort requirements. Working alongside Slate throughout the development process has allowed us to create a tyre solution that complements the vehicle's performance while supporting its affordability and personalisation goals."
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