On September 20, Polyphony Digital Inc. announced a new partnership with DUNLOP, naming the iconic tire manufacturer as the official tire partner for both the Gran Turismo World Series and Gran Turismo 7.
DUNLOP, originally founded in the UK in 1888 by inventor John Boyd Dunlop, is now operated by Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd. of Japan. With over 130 years of history, the brand has long been associated with innovation in tire technology for both cars and motorcycles.
Throughout its history, DUNLOP has played a pivotal role in the evolution of tire design and motorsport performance. In 1920, it established a dedicated rubber research facility, and by 1927, DUNLOP-equipped vehicles had reached speeds of 200 mph. The company also made a breakthrough discovery in 1960, identifying hydroplaning, a phenomenon that would go on to influence tire engineering worldwide.
DUNLOP's reputation in motorsport is firmly established. The brand secured victory at the second-ever 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1924 and has since celebrated numerous wins across the endurance racing scene. One of its most iconic moments came in 1991, when DUNLOP tires helped propel the Mazda 787B to a historic victory at Le Mans, the first overall win for a Japanese manufacturer.
The new partnership with Gran Turismo kicked off with Round 2 of the 2025 Gran Turismo World Series in Berlin, where DUNLOP will serve as the official tire supplier. In addition, players of Gran Turismo 7 can expect to see the brand featured in future updates, bringing even more real-world motorsport elements into the game.
Official Statements
Hiroshi Hamada, Senior Executive Officer at Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.:
“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.”
Kazunori Yamauchi, Gran Turismo Series Producer:
“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.”
With this collaboration, both fans and players should look forward to a deeper integration of real-world racing heritage within the Gran Turismo universe, further strengthening the link between simulation and motorsport reality.
