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.
Yokohama Rubber To Supply ADVAN Sport V107 Tyres For Updated Mazda MX-5
- By TT News
- July 28, 2026
Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. has begun supplying its ADVAN Sport V107 tyres as original equipment (OE) for the updated Mazda MX-5, which went on sale in Japan and Europe in June 2026.
The two-seater lightweight convertible sports car is fitted with 195/50R16 84V ADVAN Sport V107 tyres. Yokohama Rubber said it has supplied original equipment tyres for every generation of the Mazda MX-5 since the model was first introduced.
The ADVAN Sport V107 is an ultra-high-performance tyre within Yokohama's global flagship ADVAN brand. According to the company, the tyre combines handling stability and wet-weather performance with low noise, ride comfort and reduced rolling resistance.
The Mazda MX-5, first launched in 1989, has recorded cumulative global sales of more than 1.26m units, according to Mazda.
As part of the latest update, Mazda has introduced a special edition of the MX-5 alongside a new exterior colour. The company said the changes are intended to enhance driving performance while complying with external noise regulations.
Hankook Equips Porsche 911 Carrera With Ventus S1 Evo Z Sports Tyres
- By TT News
- July 28, 2026
Hankook Tire has entered a new chapter in its longstanding partnership with Porsche by securing original equipment status for the iconic 911 Carrera. This marks the first time the South Korean manufacturer’s rubber will be mounted on the production line of the legendary rear-engine sports car, following nearly 10 years of supplying Porsche with tyres for other models. The bespoke fitment features a staggered setup, with 235/40 ZR19 tyres up front and wider 295/35 ZR20 tyres at the rear, both carrying a distinct ‘NA2’ sidewall designation that signifies their factory-approved specification.
The engineering effort behind this achievement was substantial, with Hankook’s specialists spending several years refining the product to satisfy Porsche’s exacting standards. The primary technical hurdle centred on harmonising contradictory performance demands – superb dry-road agility and lane-change precision versus reliable wet-weather traction. This balancing act proved especially delicate given the 911’s hallmark weight bias towards the back axle and its rear-wheel-drive configuration, which place unique stresses on tyre behaviour during aggressive cornering and acceleration.
To conquer these challenges, the development team crafted axle-specific tread patterns and geometries, each tailored to the distinct roles of front steering response and rear propulsion. A newly formulated compound was also introduced, incorporating advanced resins, silica and a specialised mixing technique to sustain peak grip across diverse road conditions. The material composition is engineered to maximise surface contact and reactivity, ensuring the tyre remains effective even on rain-slicked pavement where hydroplaning risks are heightened.
Validation of the new tyres involved an exceptionally rigorous testing schedule that stretched across multiple continents and facilities. Unlike conventional programmes that rely on a single location, Hankook deployed the 911 Carrera to Germany’s Papenburg track and Spain’s IDIADA circuit for handling assessments, while high-speed dry performance was scrutinised at Italy’s Nardò ring. Wet-weather tuning took place at Pferdsfeld in Germany and other test sites, with Porsche AG engineers working alongside Hankook’s team throughout the vehicle dynamics calibration process to ensure seamless integration.
Aleix Alcaraz, subjective test driver at Hankook, said, “Our goal was to deliver precise steering precision, stability at high speeds and reliable grip under all conditions. Striking a balance between track performance and everyday usability made this project particularly demanding. Pushing the 911 Carrera to its limits on test tracks like Nardò and applying the lessons learned to the road was both challenging and a special experience.”
Yong Chul Choi, Vice President and Head of the Hankook Europe Technical Center, said, “Becoming original equipment for the Porsche 911 Carrera – one of the world’s most renowned and iconic sports cars – is an extraordinary milestone for Hankook. This premiere is the result of many years of technical development work and reflects our continuously growing expertise in driving dynamics. It marks an important step for our commitment to the super sports car segment.”
Kumho Tire Secures Original Equipment Supply Deal For Škoda Scala In Europe
- By TT News
- July 14, 2026
Kumho Tire has secured an original equipment supply agreement for the Škoda Scala, equipping the European model with its ECSTA HS52 tyre in the 205/55R16 and 205/50R17 sizes. This nomination bolsters the South Korean manufacturer’s footprint within the European automotive sector.
Škoda, a Czech-founded automaker established in 1895 and now member of the Volkswagen Group, markets its affordable and utilitarian vehicles across over 100 countries. The Scala, a flagship compact hatchback, has garnered continental acclaim for its roomy cabin, generous cargo space, contemporary aesthetics and advanced driver-assistance features. Its efficient drivetrain and balanced handling cater effectively to both city commutes and extended highway journeys.
The ECSTA HS52 is engineered as a premium tyre prioritising comfort and dynamic performance. Its optimised tread pattern, featuring a solid block layout, ensures stable road adhesion, which diminishes vibrations and acoustic noise while simultaneously elevating ride quality and high-velocity stability.
This latest OE win underscores Kumho Tire’s ascending trajectory in Europe and its bolstered credibility with international automakers. Following a record-setting fiscal performance, the company is aggressively targeting annual revenues of KRW 5.1 trillion (approximately USD 3.41 billion) through enhanced sales, operational efficiencies and an expanded original equipment portfolio, solidifying its global premium brand aspirations.
Insoo Kim, Executive Vice President – OE Sales, Kumho Tire, said, “The selection of the ECSTA HS52 for the Škoda Scala underscores the global competitiveness of Kumho Tire’s technology and product quality. We remain committed to providing innovative, high-performance tyre solutions tailored to evolving mobility needs while strengthening our partnerships with leading global automotive manufacturers.”
New All-Electric Porsche Cayenne To Run On FALKEN AZENIS FK520 (NG0) Tyres
- By TT News
- July 10, 2026
Dunlop Tyre Europe GmbH has commenced the supply of FALKEN AZENIS FK520 (NG0) tyres as original equipment for the new Porsche Cayenne Electric. This marks a significant expansion of the longstanding partnership between Falken and the German sports car manufacturer within the high-performance vehicle segment.
The bespoke tyre package carries the exclusive NG0 designation, a hallmark reserved for rubber compounds that have undergone rigorous development, homologation and approval processes to satisfy Porsche’s stringent technical benchmarks. The fitment involves a staggered setup, with 255/55 R20 110Y XL tyres mounted on the front axle and larger 305/45 R20 116Y XL tyres on the rear axle, available through Porsche’s official configurator in conjunction with selected wheel designs.
Engineered specifically for the demands of an all-electric performance sport utility vehicle, this ultra-high-performance tyre features an optimised rubber formulation aimed at lowering rolling resistance to potentially enhance driving range. The architecture is fine-tuned to deliver precise steering feedback, stable high-speed handling and a Y speed rating that certifies capability up to 300 kilometres per hour while also supporting strong traction and efficient torque transfer to manage the vehicle’s substantial power and weight.
The collaboration extends beyond road applications, as Falken has competed in the ADAC RAVENOL Nürburgring Endurance Series and the Nürburgring 24 Hours with a Porsche 911 GT3 R since 2011. Away from the racetrack, the partnership previously yielded original equipment approval for FALKEN AZENIS FK510A SUV tyres on the Porsche Macan, a relationship that commenced in 2018 and has now been reinforced with this latest electric vehicle development.
Christian Stolting, OE Sales Director at Dunlop Tyre Europe GmbH, home to the FALKEN tyre brand, said, "With the AZENIS FK520 (NG0), FALKEN underlines its expertise in developing innovative tyre technologies for the next generation of premium electric vehicles. This is the latest development in our long-term partnership with Porsche, and means we continue to strategically positioning ourselves as the first choice in the high-performance battery-electric SUV segment."
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