Pirelli Develops Road and Track Tyres for Bentley Supersports
Pirelli has developed two dedicated 22-inch tyre fitments for the new Bentley Supersports, including a road-focused P Zero and an optional semi-slick P Zero Trofeo RS capable of helping the car generate up to 1.3 g of lateral acceleration.
Both tyres carry Pirelli’s Bentley-specific “B” sidewall marking, confirming that their construction, compounds and tread characteristics have been developed specifically for the vehicle.
Two Tyres for Different Driving Priorities
The 22-inch P Zero is the standard original equipment tyre for the Supersports. It has been designed to balance the model’s performance capabilities with the comfort and refinement expected from a Bentley grand tourer.
Pirelli says the tyre’s construction and compound have been tuned to provide:
- Precise steering response
- High levels of grip
- Ride comfort
- Reduced road noise
- Stability under the Supersports’ considerable power and weight
The Bentley Supersports uses a staggered 22-inch fitment:
- Front: 275/35 ZR22
- Rear: 315/30 ZR22
These dimensions apply to both the standard P Zero and optional P Zero Trofeo RS fitments. The supplied Pirelli releases confirm the 22-inch diameter but do not publish the complete sizes or load and speed indices. The full dimensions were reported from a Supersports road test by Car and Driver.
The new Supersports marks 100 years since Bentley introduced its first Super Sports in 1925. The latest version is a two-seat coupé with a kerb weight below two tonnes, making it significantly lighter than other current Continental GT variants.
Its strengthened 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 produces 666 PS, equivalent to 657 bhp, and 800 Nm of torque. Power is delivered exclusively to the rear wheels through an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Bentley estimates the Supersports can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.7 seconds and reach a top speed of approximately 310 km/h. Carbon-ceramic brakes, 22-inch forged wheels developed with Manthey Racing and a titanium Akrapovič exhaust are fitted as standard.
Production is scheduled to begin during the fourth quarter of 2026, with the first customer deliveries expected from early 2027.
Continental EcoContact 6 Q Selected for New Audi Q3
Continental has secured original-equipment approval for the EcoContact 6 Q on the new-generation Audi Q3, with the summer tyre approved in three sizes spanning 18 to 20 inches.
Audi has also approved Continental’s ProContact TX10 all-season tyre for North American models and the WinterContact TS 870 P for markets requiring a dedicated winter fitment.
EcoContact 6 Q Leads the OE Program
The EcoContact 6 Q has been developed to combine low rolling resistance with reduced road noise and dependable braking performance in wet and dry conditions.
Continental says its specialised rubber compound and optimised tread pattern help reduce the energy lost as the tyre rolls. This can support lower fuel consumption while retaining the braking and handling performance expected from a premium compact SUV.
The EcoContact 6 Q has been approved for the new Audi Q3 in the following sizes:
- 235/55 R18 100V FR
- 255/45 R19 100V FR
- 255/40 R20 97V FR
Each fitment carries the R0 marking identifying its approval for Audi applications. The FR designation indicates that the tyre incorporates a rim-protection feature.
The third-generation Audi Q3 introduces a more muscular exterior, a redesigned digital cabin and an expanded choice of efficient petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid powertrains. The Q3 SUV launched in Europe in October 2025, followed by the Sportback in November, before the new model reached Australian showrooms in the first half of 2026. It is now available locally in SUV and Sportback body styles with 110kW, 150kW and 195kW petrol powertrains.
Nexen N’FERA Sport Joins OE Tyre Line-Up for New Audi A6
Nexen Tire has secured original equipment fitment on the all-new Audi A6, adding another tyre manufacturer to the OE programme for Audi’s latest premium sedan and Avant.
The new-generation A6 was previously covered by TreadTorque in March, when Continental confirmed approvals for its EcoContact 6 Q and SportContact 7 across 20- and 21-inch fitments. Nexen has now confirmed that its N’FERA Sport will also be supplied as original equipment, expanding the tyre options available across the A6 range.
Nexen N’FERA Sport
Nexen will supply the N’FERA Sport in 18-inch and 19-inch specifications for the new A6.
The N’FERA Sport is Nexen’s ultra-high-performance summer tyre, developed for performance-oriented passenger vehicles. According to Nexen, the tyre uses high-strength internal materials and has been designed to balance handling and braking performance across wet and dry conditions.
The tyre has also featured in European independent testing, receiving a “Good” rating from German publication Auto Bild in its 2026 summer tyre test. ADAC also rated the N’FERA Sport “Good” in its 2025 summer tyre testing.
Nexen has not specified the exact tyre dimensions, load indexes or speed ratings in its July OE announcement, only confirming that 18-inch and 19-inch versions have been approved for the A6.
Audi A6 Now Confirmed With Multiple OE Tyre Suppliers
The Nexen announcement adds another layer to the A6 OE tyre programme already covered by TreadTorque.
Continental previously confirmed four 20- and 21-inch fitments:
- EcoContact 6 Q Silent: 255/40 R20 101Y XL
- EcoContact 6 Q Silent: 255/35 R21 101Y HL
- SportContact 7 Silent: 255/40 R20 101Y XL
- SportContact 7 Silent: 255/35 R21 101Y HL
At the time, TreadTorque also noted that Audi press photography showed vehicles fitted with Michelin tyres, suggesting from the outset that Continental was sharing the A6 programme rather than supplying the entire model range.
Nexen’s confirmation now provides further evidence of that multi-supplier strategy, with the N’FERA Sport covering 18- and 19-inch specifications while Continental’s confirmed approvals sit across the larger 20- and 21-inch sizes.
It is important to note that the available announcements do not establish that tyre supply is divided exclusively by wheel size. OE fitments can vary according to vehicle variant, market, production plant and supply arrangements.
Nexen ROADIAN GTX Selected for 2027 Kia Sorento Hybrid
Nexen Tire has expanded its original equipment relationship with Kia, supplying the ROADIAN GTX SUV tyre for the updated 2027 model-year Kia Sorento Hybrid.
The latest OE program introduces a new 20-inch ROADIAN GTX fitment alongside the existing 17-inch specification, extending Nexen’s presence on one of Kia’s key mid-size SUVs.
Two ROADIAN GTX Fitments
According to Nexen, the 17-inch ROADIAN GTX will be supplied for Sorento Hybrid models sold in South Korea and North America, while the newly developed 20-inch version will be fitted to vehicles sold in South Korea.
The new 20-inch specification reflects the increasing use of larger wheel and tyre packages on hybrid SUVs, where tyre manufacturers must balance vehicle weight, efficiency, durability, comfort and handling.
Kia’s Korean specifications for the 2027 Sorento list 20-inch tyres in 255/45R20, although Nexen’s OE announcement itself identifies the new tyre only as a 20-inch ROADIAN GTX and does not state the complete size specification.
The ROADIAN GTX is Nexen’s SUV-focused highway tyre, with the company highlighting braking performance, tread life, ride comfort and reduced noise as key characteristics.
The Sorento adds to a growing list of SUV and electrified vehicle OE programs for the ROADIAN GTX.
Nexen already supplies the tyre as original equipment on vehicles including the Kia EV5 and EV6, Renault Filante and Jeep Cherokee.
