Gran Turismo 7, one of the most popular racing simulators on PlayStation, has just taken a big step closer to real-world motorsport. On September 20, Polyphony Digital Inc. announced that Dunlop is now the official tire partner of Gran Turismo 7 and the Gran Turismo World Series. This is more than a business deal; it’s a bridge connecting over 130 years of racing history with the future of virtual competition.

Dunlop’s Racing Legacy

To understand why this is a big deal, you need to know where Dunlop comes from. The company’s roots stretch back to 1888, when John Boyd Dunlop, a veterinarian, patented the first practical pneumatic (air-filled) tire after testing it on his son’s tricycle. While another inventor had filed a similar patent decades earlier, it was Dunlop’s design that truly caught on.

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Cyclists quickly saw the advantage in races, and soon after, car manufacturers began using them too. From there, Dunlop became a trusted name in motorsports. They broke speed records, researched safety improvements like hydroplaning resistance, and supplied tires for the world’s toughest competitions.

One of the most iconic moments came in 1991, when the Mazda 787B, riding on Dunlop tires, claimed the first-ever overall win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans for a Japanese manufacturer. With victories across decades of racing, Dunlop isn’t just a brand; it’s a name tied directly to motorsport history and performance.

Bringing Real Racing Into the Virtual World

This new partnership makes Dunlop the official tire supplier for the Gran Turismo World Series, starting with Round 2 in Berlin. But the move goes beyond professional esports competitions. Updates coming to Gran Turismo 7 will weave Dunlop branding and tire technology directly into the game, giving players at home a taste of what real race teams experience on track.

Visit this to see more photos. Hiroshi Hamada, Senior Executive Officer at Sumitomo Rubber Industries (the parent company of Dunlop), highlighted the significance:
“Gran Turismo is pioneering new possibilities in motorsports by bridging the real and virtual worlds. By combining our accumulated experience with cutting-edge simulation technologies, we are driving the development of high-performance and sustainable tires.”

Kazunori Yamauchi, the creator and producer of Gran Turismo, echoed the excitement:
“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.”

Why This Matters for Gamers and Motorsport Fans

For casual gamers, this might seem like just another brand partnership. But for sim racing fans and car enthusiasts, it’s much more. In racing simulators, tire models affect everything from lap times to cornering grip and race strategy. By bringing Dunlop’s real-world expertise into the game, players can expect a new level of realism.

Imagine braking into a corner and feeling the virtual tires bite just like they would in a real race. Or fine-tuning your pit stop strategy based on tire wear patterns inspired by actual motorsport data. That’s the kind of depth this partnership could add.

At the same time, it’s also exciting for gearheads to see a brand with such a long racing history stepping into the digital space. It shows how the lines between real motorsport and esports are blurring, giving fans more ways to experience the thrill of competition.

The Bigger Picture

Gran Turismo has always been known for its attention to detail, from car handling physics to faithfully recreated racetracks. Adding Dunlop into the mix reinforces the game’s reputation as a serious racing simulator rather than just an arcade-style racer.

This collaboration also reflects a growing trend in motorsports: using digital platforms not only for entertainment but also for research, testing, and even sustainability. As Dunlop noted, their focus isn’t only on performance but also on developing eco-friendly tire technology, something that could shape both the real and virtual racing worlds in the years to come.

Final Thoughts

The partnership between Gran Turismo 7 and Dunlop is more than just branding on virtual tire sidewalls. It’s a way for gamers to experience racing heritage inside their own homes while giving Dunlop a new platform to showcase its innovation. Whether you’re competing in the Gran Turismo World Series or just running laps on your PS5, you’ll now be driving on the same legendary name that has fueled victories at Le Mans and beyond.

For both gamers and motorsport fans, it’s a win that promises sharper realism, deeper immersion, and a stronger connection between the racetrack and the living room.

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