DUNLOP Announced as Official Tire Partner of the Gran Turismo World Series and Gran Turismo 7

On September 20, Polyphony Digital Inc. announced a new partnership with DUNLOP, naming the renowned tire manufacturer the official tire partner for both the Gran Turismo World Series and Gran Turismo 7.

Founded in the United Kingdom in 1888, DUNLOP introduced the world’s first practical pneumatic tire, thanks to the ingenuity of veterinarian and inventor John Boyd Dunlop. Now owned and operated by Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd. of Japan, DUNLOP has more than 130 years of history and continues to provide tires for cars and motorcycles worldwide.

DUNLOP’s legacy has been marked by innovation and achievement. In 1920, the company opened a dedicated research facility to advance rubber technology. Just seven years later, DUNLOP-equipped cars set a world record by reaching 200 mph (320 km/h). In 1960, the company was the first to identify the phenomenon of hydroplaning, a discovery that would change tire design forever.

On the track, DUNLOP has long been synonymous with endurance racing excellence. The company captured victory at the second 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1924 and has gone on to secure countless wins since. Among its most celebrated achievements is providing the tires that carried the Mazda 787B to victory in 1991—marking the first overall win at Le Mans for a Japanese manufacturer.

Beginning with Round 2 of the Gran Turismo World Series 2025 in Berlin, DUNLOP will officially become the series’ tire supplier. Players can also look forward to seeing DUNLOP integrated into Gran Turismo 7 through upcoming updates, further deepening the connection between real-world motorsport heritage and the virtual racing experience.

Hiroshi Hamada, Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. Senior Executive Officer

We at DUNLOP are truly honoured to be part of Gran Turismo, a title that continues to captivate motorsports fans around the world. Gran Turismo is pioneering new possibilities in motorsports by bridging the real and virtual worlds. Its outstanding technological capabilities, passion, and meticulous attention to detail deeply resonate with our own manufacturing philosophy, and we see great value in this partnership. For over a century, DUNLOP has been actively involved in motorsports, building a strong track record across racing scenes worldwide. By combining our accumulated experience with cutting-edge simulation technologies, we are driving the development of high-performance and sustainable tyres. Through this partnership, we aim to further enhance the value of the DUNLOP brand and contribute to the future of motorsports.

Gran Turismo Series Producer, Kazunori Yamauchi

We are very excited to welcome DUNLOP to the Gran Turismo family. As a company with a significant legacy in automotive and motorsport history, DUNLOP continues to demonstrate innovation and competitiveness in the industry. We look forward to a productive collaboration to engage a new generation of enthusiasts with racing and DUNLOP tyres through the Gran Turismo World Series and franchise.

Source: Grand Turismo