Early accolades for Pirelli’s Cinturato in 2026

Following a record-breaking year in 2025 with multiple victories and podium places across all its product families and for its Cyber Tyre technology, Pirelli has opened 2026 with outstanding results for the new generation of its summer tyre Cinturato.

Launched in 2025, the tyre for premium saloons and CUVs has already proven to be a benchmark for safety, dry and wet performance, longevity, and balanced dynamic behaviour. The new Pirelli Cinturato captured two victories last year and has added another two outright victories and three podiums in the first two months of 2026 in six comparative tests organised by specialised magazines and independent European organisations.

The Cinturato achieved two first place finishes in the tests conducted by Tyre Reviews and Automobilclub von Deutschland (AvD), in addition to top positions in the comparative tests by Europe’s largest automobile club, ADAC (Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil-Club), the German magazine Auto Zeitung, and the Swedish magazine Vi Bilägare, as well as being rated “exemplary” by Auto Bild.

In Tyre Reviews’ “The BEST Summer Tyres for 2026” comparative test, the Cinturato achieved joint first place, standing out for delivering the best dry braking performance among all tested tyres. The review described it as “the best summer tyre of 2026,” highlighting its optimal dynamic balance and precise steering response, which provide the driver with a strong sense of control.

The publication also emphasised the excellent wet performance, where the Cinturato consistently ranked at the top, confirming its all-round capabilities.

The Cinturato also triumphed in the summer test conducted by Automobilclub von Deutschland in size 215/55 R17, with its performance rated as ‘excellent,’ particularly in safety-related categories. The tyre recorded the best test results for dry braking and lateral aquaplaning resistance, demonstrating superior stability even in adverse weather conditions and ideal balance across the various testing disciplines.

The Cinturato’s technological value was further confirmed by tests conducted by ADAC in size 225/50 R17, where it secured second place with a “Highly Recommended” rating. In this test, in addition to safe driving performance on both wet and dry surfaces and highly balanced handling, the tyre’s efficiency was recognised thanks to its higher durability compared to other products, driven by its high wear-resistant compound and reduced environmental impact.

Auto Zeitung also awarded the Cinturato a podium position in size 235/45 R18, describing it as ‘a tyre without weaknesses,’ extremely safe in handling and capable of delivering convincing mileage performance. Meanwhile, the Swedish magazine Vi Bilägare placed the Pirelli product second on the podium in size 205/55 R16, praising its agile character, cornering precision and short braking distances.

Rounding off this outstanding start to the season was the result achieved in Auto Bild’s major test in size 245/45 R19. After a qualification phase in which the Cinturato ranked among the best performers in braking distance out of a field of 50 candidates, the tyre confirmed its capabilities in the final evaluations. Testers highlighted its balanced handling and precise steering, particularly on wet surfaces, with very high levels of grip and braking performance.

In addition to the new Cinturato, Pirelli’s summer product range was renewed over the past year with the introduction of the fifth generation of the P Zero, the sports car tyre, and the third generation of Scorpion, the latest evolution of the tyre dedicated to SUVs, designed to deliver safety, comfort and long-lasting performance.