Black Angel Team - Notizie

Gran Turismo Announces New Tire Partnership with Dunlop

Polyphony Digital establishes multi-year agreement making Dunlop the official tire partner for Gran Turismo 7 and Gran Turismo World Series

Polyphony Digital has officially announced a significant new partnership with Dunlop, establishing the company as the official tire partner for both Gran Turismo 7 and the prestigious Gran Turismo World Series. This collaboration marks an important milestone for both brands, combining excellence in racing simulation with over a century of tire innovation.

Partnership Details

The new multi-year agreement will see Dunlop take on the role of official "tire supplier" for the World Series esports championship, with implementation beginning from Round 2 of the 2025 season in Berlin. The partnership extends beyond live events to include the integration of Dunlop branding and tire technology directly into Gran Turismo 7 through future game updates.

This significant accord comes following the conclusion of Gran Turismo's previous five-year technical partnership with Michelin, marking a new chapter in the franchise's collaboration with global tire industry leaders.

Dunlop's Legacy and Heritage

Dunlop brings with it an impressive legacy spanning over 130 years of innovation and excellence. Founded in Belfast, Ireland in 1888, the company earned its place in automotive history as the inventor of the first practical pneumatic tire. Now part of Japan's Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Dunlop boasts a long and illustrious motorsport history that perfectly aligns with Gran Turismo's values.

The brand is particularly renowned for its extraordinary achievements in endurance racing, having secured multiple victories at the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans since its first triumph in 1924. Among its most celebrated accomplishments stands the tire supply for the legendary Mazda 787B that conquered Le Mans in 1991, marking the first victory for a Japanese manufacturer in the French race's history.

Implications for Game Physics

The collaboration promises to positively influence the in-game driving physics as Polyphony Digital works closely with its new partner to refine the simulation experience. While this aspect hasn't been discussed with the same prominence as in official communications when the Michelin partnership was announced in 2019, expectations remain high for significant improvements in tire simulation realism.

Official Statements

Hiroshi Hamada, Senior Executive Officer at Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd., commented on the agreement: "By combining our accumulated experience with cutting-edge simulation technologies, we are driving the development of high-performance and sustainable tires."

Gran Turismo Series Producer Kazunori Yamauchi expressed enthusiasm for the new partnership: "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..."

Importance for the Gran Turismo Ecosystem

Such corporate sponsorships play a crucial role in maintaining the economic viability of Gran Turismo World Series live events, which have become a significant component of the Gran Turismo ecosystem. The partnership with Dunlop not only brings financial resources but also adds authenticity and technical credibility to the series, strengthening the connection between the virtual racing world and real motorsport.

The agreement therefore represents not merely a commercial collaboration, but a true marriage between technological innovation in gaming and automotive tradition, promising to further elevate Gran Turismo's already high standards in the driving simulation landscape.

https://www.gran-turismo.com/us/news/00_3901347.html