Kumho Tire’s new ultra-high-performance (UHP) tyre, the ECSTA Sport, has been rated ‘Very Good’ in the latest Die Reifentester summer tyre test.

The tyre size used for testing was 225/40R18. Eight tyre manufacturers participated in the test, including well-known names like Goodyear, Bridgestone, Michelin and Continental. Bridgestone and Continental shared the top rating with Kumho's ECSTA Sport. The wet braking results were one of the test's main features. With a stopping distance of only 23.07 metres at 80 kmph, the ECSTA Sport outperformed every other tyre in the test. It was one of just two tyres – the other being the Continental SportContact 7 – to receive the ‘Very Good’ rating in wet handling. In dry weather, the ECSTA Sport also performed admirably. Die Reifentester gave it a ‘Very Good’ grade for dry handling, comparing it to three competitors of premium brands.

Drivers seeking precision handling, robust safety features and high mileage performance are the target market for the ECSTA Sport. The tyre, which comes in sizes 16 to 22 inches, features a new compound blend that improves high-speed stability and reduces stopping distances.

Matthias Bode, Head of Research and Development Europe at Kumho Tire, said, “We are delighted with this result from Die Reifentester. Kumho ECSTA Sport is designed to offer excellent performance for all motorists, including the most demanding drivers, and this test result is an excellent indication that we are on the right course.”

Tony Gangseung Lee, Head of Europe, said, “This test result demonstrates the commitment of Kumho to developing and producing exceptional tyres which offer excellent value to the driving public. I am delighted to see the team’s hard work being so well rewarded in this independent tyre test as we set new performance benchmarks.”

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Giti Tire has characterised the upcoming Euro 7 emissions framework as a validation of its existing research trajectory rather than a disruptive regulatory hurdle. Historically, tyre assessments have centred on criteria such as vehicular handling, tread life and fuel economy. The updated European standards introduce a novel parameter by capping particulate matter generated from tyre degradation, thereby acknowledging this source as a major contributor to roadside pollution.

The Singaporean manufacturer, drawing upon more than seven decades of technical experience, has maintained that optimal tyre design necessitates a holistic approach. Engineering teams at the company have long prioritised the synchronisation of tread geometry, rubber chemistry and production accuracy to achieve equilibrium between conflicting demands. Present-day products are expected to deliver secure wet-weather traction, energy-saving rolling resistance, passenger comfort and sustained endurance, all while curtailing material loss over the product's usable life.

Giti’s role as an original equipment partner to global vehicle producers, including German and Chinese automotive leaders, has provided practical insight into the rigorous specifications of contemporary mobility. The company perceives the harmonised testing protocols under Euro 7 as a constructive force that stimulates technological advancement across the supply chain. By establishing clear abrasion thresholds, the legislation motivates engineers to pursue solutions that diminish ecological footprints without sacrificing the protective and responsive qualities that motorists rely upon.

Ongoing internal programmes at Giti are concentrating on next-generation elastomer blends, refined surface patterning, friction reduction for improved efficiency, extended product durability and tighter quality controls during fabrication. These developmental efforts are intended to concurrently address environmental concerns and consumer performance expectations. As the regulatory landscape evolves, the firm remains dedicated to fundamental research that supports sustainable transportation, viewing the Euro 7 mandate as a progressive milestone that reinforces its commitment to future-ready tyre engineering.

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Prometeon Tyre Group has marked a significant advancement in its enduring technical alliance with MM Technology following the unveiling of the Czech firm’s latest rally competition truck, the MMT EVO5. As a global manufacturer of tyres for commercial, agricultural and off-the-road sectors, Prometeon continues to solidify its role as a key partner in high-performance motorsport engineering.

The MMT EVO5 emerges as the newest iteration of MM Technology’s rally truck lineage, incorporating direct feedback and performance data from this year’s Dakar Rally. The company, co-founded by two-time Dakar champion Martin Macík Jr, has integrated reinforced chassis components, a more robust cab structure and a newly developed shock absorber setup. These enhancements were formulated through close collaboration with suppliers, reflecting the real-world experience of both the factory team and client squads.

As the exclusive original equipment tyre supplier, Prometeon equips every rally truck produced at MM Technology’s Sedlčany facility. This partnership underscores a mutual dedication to research and development, with the joint engineering programme driving the evolution of Prometeon’s rally tyre range. The progression from the extreme-condition S02 Pista to the current S02 Rally EVO demonstrates this continuous refinement, representing the manufacturer’s most advanced competition tyre to date.

The effectiveness of this collaboration was prominently displayed at the 2026 Dakar Rally, where nine MM Technology trucks entered and eight finished, with six securing top-10 overall positions. Both the MM Technology Factory Team and the ItalTrans Racing Team, running on Prometeon tyres, concluded the event within the overall top nine. Recent intensive testing in the Tunisian desert has further informed ongoing developments for both tyres and the new vehicle. Ultimately, motorsport remains a critical testing ground for Prometeon, where every race kilometre contributes directly to the advancement of future commercial products.

Francisco Nascimento, Head of R&D Product at Prometeon, said, "Our collaboration with MM Technology goes far beyond a technical partnership. It is a genuine joint development programme built around continuous innovation. Having one of the world's leading rally truck manufacturers choose Prometeon as its exclusive original equipment tyre supplier is a source of great pride and enables us to develop our products in the most demanding environments imaginable.

“Martin Macík Jr is an exceptional development driver whose feedback constantly pushes us to raise the bar. Together with the expertise of the MM Technology engineering team and our drive for innovation, we are even more confident in the capabilities of our latest generation of tyres, and are proud to see them fitted as original equipment on the new MMT EVO5 as it embarks on its competitive journey.”

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Pirelli has designated the SC0 rear tyre as the new benchmark for Moto2 as the MotoGP World Championship resumes its season this weekend at Silverstone for the 12th round. The Italian manufacturer is supplying its standard range compounds for both support classes, with the updated SC0 making a notable return to the British circuit following its successful evaluation there last year.

The 2026-spec soft rear tyre, which initially debuted as a development prototype, features an altered structure from its predecessor and was universally embraced by competitors during practice sessions, even contributing to a new lap record. Its promotion to the standard lineup sees it joined at the rear by the new medium SC1 compound, formerly a development specification, while front tyre duties are covered by the soft SC1 and the medium SC2 options.

Silverstone presents a formidable technical challenge as the longest venue on the calendar at 5.9 kilometres, demanding exceptional machine and rider performance through high-speed corners and rapid directional shifts. The circuit’s low-abrasion surface and notably wide racing corridor allow for varied lines, adding another layer of strategic complexity to the already fast-paced weekend.

In the Moto3 class, Pirelli has made available the soft SC1 and medium SC2 compounds for both front and rear positions. The majority of the field last year favoured the medium SC2 at both ends, a choice that propelled José Antonio Rueda to victory from the back of the grid, though a segment of riders alternatively selected the softer SC1 option for their machines.

Giorgio Barbier, Pirelli Motorcycle Racing Director, said, “For this weekend's round at Silverstone, one of the most iconic and technically demanding circuits on the World Championship calendar, Pirelli will once again provide standard range tyres for both classes, featuring the rear soft SC0 compound that made its Moto2™ debut at this very circuit last year as the E0125 development option. The E0125, which complemented the then standard soft tyre, was immediately appreciated by the intermediate class riders, who, on a highly demanding circuit characterised by numerous high-speed corners and changes of direction where stability is essential, focused exclusively on this new solution from Friday onwards.

“Introduced again at subsequent events, the former E0125 quickly became the Moto2™ riders' benchmark, offering greater stability, outright one-lap performance and consistent performance across a wide variety of weather and track conditions. As a result, it was promoted to the new standard soft tyre for this season. More than a year after its debut, and thanks to the significant development work carried out by the teams during this period, the SC0 has already contributed to numerous lap records this season. Weather conditions permitting, it will therefore be interesting to see whether Silverstone can deliver further progress compared with last year's benchmark.”

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Hankook Tire, the exclusive tyre supplier for the FIA World Rally Championship, played a central role in the season's 10th round at Secto Rally Finland. The event concluded on 2 August in Jyväskylä, where the company’s Dynapro R213 extreme all-terrain rally tyre was put to the ultimate test across the demanding Finnish landscape.

Competitive action unfolded over 20 Special Stages, covering a total distance of 316.04 kilometres. Renowned as the fastest rally on the WRC calendar, the event subjected vehicles and tyres to extreme speeds. The challenging route was characterised by blind crests that impaired visibility, frequent jumps and narrow forest roads, placing a premium on tyre durability and overall driving stability.

The supplied Dynapro R213 tyre proved instrumental in managing these severe conditions. On the ultra-high-speed gravel sections, it effectively absorbed the impact of repeated landings while delivering consistent grip and precise steering response. Its robust construction ensured reliable performance across the loose dirt and forest roads, allowing competitors to push their vehicles to the limit.

Sami Pajari of Toyota GAZOO Racing claimed a home victory, securing back-to-back wins after his success in Estonia. This result advanced him to second in the Drivers’ Championship with 171 points. Looking ahead, Round 11 is the ueno Rally del Paraguay from 27 to 30 August, featuring gravel stages that will demand exceptional tyre resilience. Hankook applies data from its WRC involvement and other global motorsport events to its R&D, fostering continuous innovation and reinforcing its status as a leading global brand.

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