In anticipation of the seasonal tyre changeover, manufacturers have updated their catalogues for 2026, showcasing the latest additions to their summer ranges while also confirming longstanding products. The replacement of winter tyres with summer products is a significant step, not only for road safety—as in warmer temperatures, the compound and tread of summer tyres adapt better to the characteristics of the roads—but also in terms of fuel consumption and vehicle performance. The requirement to use winter tyres, which came into effect on 15 November, expires on 15 April across Italy. From this date onwards, it is necessary to use tyres appropriate for the season.
BFGoodrich
Advantage 2 is the summer tyre that BFGoodrich offers for the seasonal changeover. It is suitable for compact cars and saloons. The innovative compound has enabled the company to make significant strides in the performance of its products, improving rolling resistance, cornering grip, and braking distances, especially in wet conditions. The tread of the BFGoodrich Advantage 2 features an asymmetric design and external grooves engineered to drain water. From 16” upwards, all Advantage 2 tyres carry the European label (letter A) for wet braking and a B or C rating for fuel consumption. The tyre is available in sizes from 16” to 19”.
Bridgestone
For the summer 2026 season, Bridgestone offers its two flagship products: the new Potenza Sport Evo and the Turanza 6. The Potenza Sport Evo offers enhanced sporty performance, wet control, durability, and fuel efficiency. The tyre also ensures wet grip, as confirmed by the EU class A labelling. The optimal performance and greater sustainability of the Bridgestone Potenza Sport Evo have been made possible by the integration of Enliten technology. Furthermore, this technology ensures that the Potenza Sport Evo is compatible with electric vehicles, meeting the specific requirements of EVs as well as those of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. The tyre features a high-rigidity compound that provides greater stability in corners and during high-speed manoeuvres. This is supported by a dedicated construction with hybrid crown reinforcement and a rigid casing, along with a sporty profile featuring an asymmetric shoulder angle, allowing the Potenza Sport Evo to deliver high-speed control. The new tailor-made compound with optimised inorganic fillers, combined with the newly designed tread pattern which features an optimal full/void ratio, creates the ideal synergy for wet grip. The compound boasts also an improved polymer-filler interaction, enhancing abrasion resistance and longevity. Developed and produced in Europe, the Potenza Sport Evo is available in 40 more sizes than its predecessor. The EV-ready tyre will be available in 139 sizes, ranging from 17 to 23 inches. On the other hand, the Turanza 6 is the result of many technological breakthroughs all featured in the tyre’s tread design, compound, and structure. Among these are cutting-edge and sustainable technologies like Techsyn and Enliten. Thanks to the latest technologies, the Turanza 6 is also suitable for hybrid and electric vehicles. Its low rolling resistance helps increase battery life and range, as well as providing added control to address the specific driving challenges of electric vehicles, greater tolerance to wear due to higher weight and torque, and reduced noise levels. Turanza 6 is available in sizes ranging from 16” to 22” for the summer line-up, suitable for both passenger cars and SUVs.
Cst Tire
Medallion MD-A7 is the summer tyre designed by Cst Tires and distributed in Italy by Bis. This tyre features a sipes design that improves driving stability at high speeds. The tread groove design is innovative, with “closed shoulders” to reduce vibrations caused by airflow and, more generally, acoustic and mechanical resonance. The large shoulder blocks provide a stronger ground contact and better resistance against tyre compression, while the curved tread design and silica-rich compound improve water dispersion on wet roads. Medallion MD-A7 is available for rims from 15” to 18”. Another model from Cst Tires is the Adreno AD-R9, a high-performance (UHP) summer tyre designed for sporty saloons, SUVs, and, more generally, all high-performance vehicles. The AD-R9 offers excellent handling and improved feel at high speeds. The new technology used for the steel belt construction allows for better shock absorption, leading to greater driving comfort. In rainy conditions, thanks to the four (3+1) grooves, the risk of aquaplaning is reduced for safer driving. The slightly curved tread shape also helps improve water dispersion. Next, the Marquis MR61: this is a tyre dedicated to compact and medium-small vehicles. Characterised by low rolling resistance for greater fuel efficiency, it covers a wide range of sizes. The high silica content in the compound ensures stable and safe braking, while the asymmetric pattern and new shoulder design provide a larger contact area. Marquis MR61 features wide longitudinal grooves, which, combined with numerous sipes and sturdy central ribs, maximise road holding. The arrangement and alternation of the various tread blocks also ensure reduced noise and vibration, while their particular configuration improves performance on different types of terrain. The tread design, together with the numerous sipes, allows the tyre to disperse water quickly and efficiently, minimising the risk of aquaplaning.
Falken
Falken is responding to the growing European demand for SUVs and electric vehicles by expanding its range of summer tyres for 2026. The evolution of the market is indeed pushing towards increasingly larger tyres with higher load indexes, essential for managing the weight of SUVs and the immediate torque of electric powertrains. Leading the 2026 line-up is the Azenis FK520, now available in 16 new sizes, including six 22-inch variants designed for premium SUVs. The model covers wheels from 17 to 22 inches and widths from 215 to 325 mm, maintaining a lightweight structure and aramid reinforcement to ensure efficiency and robustness. The result is a tyre capable of offering cornering stability and reduced braking distances in dry conditions, making it ideal for both SUVs and high-performance cars. Supporting the growing market for EVs and hybrids, as well as efficiency-conscious motorists, the e. Ziex range is also being expanded. In 2026, three new sizes will be introduced for highly popular models such as the Renault Mégane E-Tech and Citroën ë-C4, along with a dedicated OE supply for the Audi Q6 e-tron. Designed to support the weight and power of modern EVs, the e. Ziex features an optimised tread profile at the shoulder area, engineered to distribute pressure evenly and reduce rolling resistance, benefiting both wear and driving range. For sporty driving enthusiasts, Falken confirms the Azenis RS820, the UUHP tyre chosen as original equipment for the Audi S3 and designed for high-performance models such as the Porsche 911, Audi R8, and BMW M5. Born from experience gained in motorsport, especially at the Nürburgring, the RS820 combines a multifunctional tread compound with an optimised shoulder design, offering lateral stability in the dry and high-level performance even in the wet. Completing the 2026 summer range is the Ziex ZE320, now available in 61 sizes. Designed for compact cars and everyday models, it delivers balanced performance, comfort, and quietness thanks to tread optimisation for noise reduction and a lightweight casing, contributing to a more efficient and enjoyable driving experience.
Firestone
Roadhawk 2 Enliten is the summer tyre featured in Firestone's catalogue. The tyre offers improved wet grip (class “A” in the EU label category), increased mileage, and a 12% reduction in rolling resistance compared to the previous generation to optimise the vehicle's fuel and energy consumption. The Firestone Roadhawk 2 Enliten achieves 20% higher mileage than the previous Roadhawk. Another summer tyre in Firestone's catalogue is the Firehawk Sport. Developed and manufactured in Europe, this product offers a rapid steering response, ensuring vehicle control and allowing for high cornering speeds. These features are made possible by the tyre's sporty profile, asymmetric tread block in the shoulder area, and virtual optimisation of the footprint, increasing driving safety. The tyre also offers control and grip in the wet, earning an “A” class EU label. These performances are enabled by an effective full-void ratio, the variable rib profile, and the innovative mixing technology used for the Nano Pro-tech compound. The Firestone Firehawk Sport is available in 36 sizes, from 18” to 20”, covering a wide range of cars and SUVs.
Goodyear
To tackle summer roads, Goodyear offers the Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6. Designed to suit a broad range of vehicles, the Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 features a tread footprint that adapts to the driver's style, as well as a specifically designed sidewall to accommodate load variations. The footprint widens when the driver performs an extreme manoeuvre, allowing the tyre to adapt to every driving style. Thanks to an innovative resin system, the compound of the Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 provides greater grip on the road surface and enables traction on damp or wet roads. For the EfficientGrip range, the company presents the Performance 2. The EfficientGrip Performance 2 tyre is dedicated to drivers seeking high mileage and top braking performance in both dry and wet conditions. EfficientGrip Performance 2 exhibits high tread elasticity and flexibility, reducing tyre wear caused by challenging road conditions without compromising dry and wet performance. Longer grooves improve water evacuation and reduce braking distances on wet roads, while the wide ribs in the centre of the tread ensure greater stability in challenging situations.
Hankook
For the 2026 summer tyre change, Hankook offers the sporty Ventus evo and the iON evo, specifically designed for electric vehicles. The Ventus evo is the result of AI-assisted development, enabling the design of a tyre that combines wet grip, low rolling resistance, and high mileage. During the mixing process, Hankook engineers succeeded in distributing the silica content within the tyre compound, which is fundamental for wet grip. The wide drainage grooves guarantee water evacuation and, in combination with the optimised footprint of the tyre, reduce the risk of aquaplaning. Extra-rigid sidewalls and tread blocks ensure cornering stability and reduce braking distance in dry conditions by 6% compared to the previous model. Despite the grip, the Ventus evo achieves low rolling resistance thanks to the innovative material mix, thus reducing fuel consumption. Mileage has also been positively affected, with a 32% increase compared to the previous tyre, in combination with the greater rigidity of the tread blocks. Like the SUV version, Ventus evo SUV, the tyre is already used by premium partners for original equipment. Ventus evo and Ventus evo SUV are available in 58 sizes. By the end of next year, the product will be available in the following line-up: 94 sizes from 17 to 23 inches, with widths from 205 to 325, series from 65 to 30, and with speed ratings from V to Y. For electric vehicles, Hankook offers the iON evo. This tyre is made using the ProDurable compound, made of advanced fillers and flexible rubber materials, which allows for extended tyre life and ensures higher mileage. A reinforced belt, mixed with Aramid fibre, has been applied to improve steering performance and to guarantee a stable footprint when driving at high speeds. To prevent slippage caused by the high torque of electric vehicles, the rigidity of the tread blocks has been optimised with extended shoulder blocks that ensure maximum road contact. The lateral grooves have been designed to be narrower on the inside, in order to reduce noise generated by air flow, and wider on the outside to ensure wet performance. To prevent noise while driving, the iON evo pattern has optimised the groove dimensions. The wider inner grooves have also improved water drainage performance, enabling the tyre to achieve an EU label class A. The iON evo is available in sizes from 18 to 21 inches, while the iON evo SUV comes in sizes from 19 to 22 inches.
Michelin
The Primacy 5 is the latest addition to Michelin's touring tyre range. Compared to the previous model, the Primacy 5 improves in terms of durability, rolling resistance, comfort, and noise, while maintaining high levels of safety and performance. The tyre has an A rating for wet grip. In fact, the Primacy 5’s tread features channels that are 10% deeper than the previous Primacy 4+, optimising water dispersion from the tread. Michelin has used the latest generation of functional elastomers to support this performance. Braking on wet surfaces has improved by 4% when new, while safety characteristics are maintained, according to the French multinational, at a high level throughout its lifetime, which itself has increased by 18%. The tyre is suitable for both saloons and SUVs, with ICE, hybrid or electric engines. The Primacy 5 was launched in January this year in Europe with a range of 64 sizes, which is set to grow to 87 during the year, with an expected total of 127 available sizes by mid-2026.
Nexen Tire
N’blue S is Nexen Tire’s summer tyre. Made with the latest technologies, N’blue S delivers performance in both dry and wet conditions. Wet grip has been enhanced thanks to the inclusion of highly dispersed silica, which improves road contact and traction on slippery surfaces. Internal tests, according to the company, reveal that Nexen N’blue S offers an 11% improvement in wet braking distance over its predecessor, delivering safety benefits in challenging road conditions. The tyre uses an optimised structural design that reduces noise and improves stability, ensuring a comfortable and controlled driving experience. The innovative tread compound, formulated with hydrophilic fillers and controlled microstructure polymers, provides grip on both dry and wet surfaces. This innovative material composition not only improves traction but also helps reduce rolling resistance. N’blue S is in line with the company's commitment to sustainability; hence the tyre design reduces fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, providing an eco-friendly solution. A/A rating for rolling resistance and wet grip, are a testimony to its exceptional energy efficiency.
Pirelli 
Pirelli launches the third generation Scorpion, the latest evolution of Pirelli’s “SUV specialist”, specifically designed to provide safety, driving comfort, and long-lasting performance for this type of vehicle. The new Scorpion stands out for its performance both in dry and wet conditions, certified by the independent body Tüv, which has awarded it the premium Tüv quality mark. In fact, the product ranked first in dry braking tests, while in wet conditions it came first in wet handling and reached top positions in braking and straight-line aquaplaning. At launch, the entire Scorpion range achieved Class A in the European label for wet grip, also ensuring acoustic comfort (A/B) and superior mileage. Furthermore, it received Class B for rolling resistance. The consistency of performance in a variety of weather conditions typical of the summer season is particularly notable, with a broader working range compared to the previous generation. Available from January, the Scorpion range offers 16 sizes, from 18 to 22 inches. The new summer tyre has been developed in collaboration with leading high and ultra-high-end car manufacturers, on the wake of a series of partnerships established with the previous generation of the Scorpion family. Also included in the summer range is the Cinturato, a tyre dedicated to premium vehicles, from saloons to CUVs (Crossover Utility Vehicles), specialised for both original equipment and replacement. Thanks to research, innovation and extensive use of virtual design, the new generation focuses on safety and efficiency. In the Cinturato, braking performance safety, on both dry and wet surfaces, is confirmed as Class A on the European label. Efficiency is linked to mileage, which grows by 20% compared to the previous product, and to reduced rolling resistance that benefits fuel consumption. The Cinturato’s compound is made from materials studied and patented by Pirelli. The result is a tread composition that exploits the synergy between an innovative star-shaped polymer and a special resin blend. Further advantages come from “SmartNet Silica”, whose particular shape (regular, elongated elements placed longitudinally in the direction of travel) manages to combine two more performances: in corners it offers greater grip and stability, while in straight lines it helps reduce rolling resistance. The new summer tyre will also be available with Pirelli’s exclusive technologies, starting with Elect, the package dedicated to electric and plug-in hybrid cars. Alongside these tyres, Pirelli also offers the P Zero range for high-performance vehicles. The main products in the family are: the P Zero (now in its fifth generation), the P Zero E (designed especially for high-end electric vehicles), the P Zero R (for the most powerful supercars), and the P Zero Trofeo RS (intended for use on racetrack but also approved for road use). The latest generation products have been developed following the “Eco-Safety Design” approach, Pirelli’s innovative development method that uses advanced materials and tools, including virtualisation from motorsport experience, artificial intelligence, and proprietary algorithms, to overcome the typical compromises in tyre design.
Triangle Tyre
The ReliaXTouring TE307 is the summer tyre that Triangle Tyre offers for seasonal changeovers. Its asymmetric profile, with four main grooves, reduces aquaplaning and improves driving and braking performance in wet conditions. Comfortable and noise free ride are ensured by the closed shoulder design and the variable pitch tread, resulting from a blend of advanced technology and next-generation materials. The innovative compound formula reduces wear, guaranteeing mileage and durability, while handling is guaranteed by the three-segment arched tread profile.
Vredestein
Apollo Tyres has expanded its range of Vredestein Ultrac Pro Uuhp (Ultra ultra high performance) summer tyres by 54 sizes, designed for hypercars, sports cars, saloons, and high-performance SUVs. The new sizes are available for rims from 18 to 22 inches in diameter, while the existing Ultrac Pro range is compatible with rims up to 24 inches. The Ultrac Pro tyre is characterised by an asymmetric sidewall design, expressly conceived by Italdesign, the Italian industrial design, engineering, and prototyping studio. The arrangement of materials within the tyre structure shows significant differences, especially in the bead area and the lower part of the sidewall near the rim, where these materials have been completely reimagined. The result is a design that guarantees stability at high speeds and in corners at sustained pace, while also providing a smooth ride also on uneven surfaces. Moreover, the tyre’s tread incorporates a new-generation compound, produced through an intelligent mixing process that uses cutting-edge polymers, fillers, and high-performance resins to ensure grip on wet and dry surfaces across a wide temperature range. For mid-range cars, Apollo Tyres offers the Vredestein Ultrac+. The range consists of 70 different sizes, from 15 to 20 inches. Internal Apollo Tyres tests have shown that the “expected mileage” of Ultrac+ has been improved by up to 30% (depending on the size), while “abrasion loss” has been reduced by up to 30%; these two features ensure greater durability and a lower environmental impact. Rolling resistance has also been reduced by 3%. The reduced apex height and wider “flexible zone” in the Ultrac+ sidewall play a key role in ensuring a quiet and comfortable journey. In addition, the optimised pitch sequence of Ultrac has been maintained and refined for tyres of different diameters in the Ultrac+ model. Ultrac+ features a central rib with lateral grooves that improve steering precision and response, for a safe and dynamic driving experience. To ensure a balance between wear and braking performance, the tyre uses new-generation tread compound technology, employing a high silica content, a resin that enhances traction, and a multifunctional polymer.
