
.png)
This roundup covers manufacturer-confirmed launches, rollouts and range updates announced through 14 October. European products lead the coverage, followed by developments for Nordic, North American and Japanese markets.
Pirelli announced the Scorpion Winter 3 on 13 October, completing what the company describes as the renewal of its winter tyre range.
Developed specifically for SUVs, the third-generation product uses a dedicated structure and tread to address their greater weight and higher centre of gravity. Pirelli says the tyre is designed to reduce trade-offs between grip, comfort and durability.
The company used virtual development and driving simulators, followed by testing at its Sottozero Center in Lapland. Its UK product page lists rim sizes from 18 to 22 inches, with ELECT versions for electric and plug-in hybrid SUVs in selected fitments.
All replacement sizes available at launch achieved an A rating for wet grip under the EU tyre label, according to Pirelli.
Hankook’s European announcement on 23 June introduced the Winter i*cept evo 4 for passenger cars and a dedicated evo 4 SUV version.
The range comprises more than 160 sizes spanning 17 to 22 inches. Alongside winter grip, Hankook highlights reduced rolling resistance and rolling noise, and claims a 15 per cent increase in mileage compared with the predecessor through an optimised contact surface.
That combination makes efficiency and service life part of the launch story, alongside seasonal traction. The mileage improvement is Hankook’s comparison with its previous product, rather than a ranking against the other tyres in this roundup.
Announced on 18 March, the Snowproof 3P targets Central and Southern European conditions, from snow and slush to wet and dry roads.
Nokian positions it for high-performance cars, sedans and SUVs, including high-speed driving. Its initial autumn offer comprises 50 products from 17 to 21 inches, with all but one carrying an XL load designation.
A later expansion to 98 SKUs across 96 sizes, from 16 to 22 inches, is planned. The distinction matters for stock planning: the eventual catalogue is broader than the initial seasonal offer.
Nokian also reports that the product has received the Premium TÜV SÜD Tire Mark.
Cooper’s 16 June portfolio announcement extends the coverage beyond premium passenger-car and SUV tyres to light commercial vehicles across EMEA.
Cooper Winter comprises 132 SKUs from 14 to 21 inches. Cooper Winter Van adds 20 SKUs from 14 to 17 inches, with both ranges described as EV-ready.
The van product uses V-shaped grooves for wet handling, an interlocking groove network for snow traction and a tread block strengthener intended to support mileage.
For fleet suppliers, its relevance is the dedicated commercial-vehicle application rather than an extension of a passenger-car product alone.
Lassa announced Snoways 5 and Competus Winter 3 on 14 October, with availability across Lassa markets during the 2026 winter season.
Snoways 5 covers passenger cars in 46 sizes from 15 to 21 inches. Competus Winter 3 adapts the design platform for SUVs, with 42 sizes from 16 to 21 inches.
Both carry the brand’s EV Ready marking for electric, hybrid and conventional vehicles.
Lassa says Snoways 5 has received the TÜV Performance Mark and improves snow, wet and wear performance over its predecessor. The SUV version adapts the pattern and technical features for larger, heavier vehicles.
Local stock and individual fitments should be checked with the relevant distributor.

For more severe winter markets, manufacturers have introduced both studded and studless products with a stronger emphasis on ice performance. These announcements should be read in their regional context rather than as confirmation of UK availability.
Announced on 19 January, the IceContact 8 is a studded Nordic winter tyre covering 15 to 22 inches, with sales scheduled to begin in the second quarter.
Its twin-stud concept uses different stud types for straight-line traction and braking, and for handling. Continental also highlights stud bonding and tread-block stability to support durability.
Launched in March and confirmed on sale on 15 September, the Hakkapeliitta 01 uses Nokian’s Double Action Stud Technology.
The company describes a temperature-responsive system that changes stud behaviour to increase grip in freezing conditions and soften contact on bare roads.
Michelin’s North American announcement on 29 January set dealer ordering from May.
The product covers 15 to 23 inches for cars, crossovers, SUVs and pickups, including hybrid and electric vehicles.
Michelin highlights its FLEX-ICE 3.0 compound, ice-grip certification, durability and rolling resistance. Its comparative performance claims relate to specified test sizes and conditions.
Bridgestone’s US release schedules national launch for May 2026, replacing the WS90 and DM-V2.
The planned range comprises 107 sizes from 14 to 22 inches, with most scheduled for launch.
Bridgestone combines ENLITEN technology with its MultiCell technology and both snow and ice-grip certifications.
Announced by Sumitomo Rubber on 1 July, the Japanese studless product began its scheduled rollout in August, covering 99 sizes from 13 to 22 inches.
Dunlop explicitly prioritises ice performance, acknowledging trade-offs in some other characteristics. That provides a useful contrast with launches positioned around a broad balance of winter capabilities.
Yokohama’s 30 July announcement set a phased Japanese launch from 1 September in 28 sizes, with further expansion planned for 2027.
The SUV-specific studless tyre builds on iceGUARD 8 technology, with development focused on ice performance, snow traction and wear resistance.
Several 2026 announcements concern existing product families.
Goodyear’s UltraGrip update adds 66 SKUs to UltraGrip Performance 3, bringing its total to 344, and 18 to UltraGrip Ice 3, taking that range to 130.
UltraGrip Arctic 2 receives a product update and seven additional SKUs, with a total range of 122.
GT Radial’s release dated 10 March adds EV Ready sidewall identification to 12 existing WinterPro2 evo and WinterPro2 Sport sizes from 15 to 19 inches.
It is an identification and portfolio update, rather than a new tread-pattern launch.
Nexen’s Japanese announcement dated 25 August sets a September rollout for WINGUARD ice 3, with an emphasis on heavier electrified vehicles and SUVs.
However, the product already appears in Nexen’s 2024 investor material, so this is a regional rollout rather than a confirmed global debut in 2026.
Falken’s EUROALL SEASON AS220 is a new all-season product highlighted in its seasonal portfolio, and should be identified separately from dedicated winter tyres.
Sailun’s current offer also combines winter and all-season products, including models presented in 2025, as detailed in TNM’s earlier portfolio report.
For dealers, the useful comparison starts with intended road conditions and the required vehicle fitment. European winter products, Nordic studded tyres and Japanese ice-focused studless designs serve different needs.
Manufacturer improvement percentages also use different reference products and test conditions, so they cannot be treated as a common performance ranking.
Editorial Standards & Disclaimer
Tyre News Media is an independent industry publication. Our reporting is based on information available at the time of publication, including company announcements, regulatory filings, official data, research and other sources considered reliable.
Articles may include independent analysis and editorial interpretation. Where appropriate, company statements and third-party claims are attributed to their source. Analysis, estimates and forward-looking observations should not be read as statements of established fact.
Tyre News Media takes reasonable steps to ensure accuracy but welcomes corrections, clarifications and responses from organisations or individuals covered in our reporting. If you believe information is inaccurate or requires clarification, please contact info@tyrenews.co.uk. Material errors will be corrected as appropriate.
Commercial relationships, advertising and sponsorship do not determine Tyre News Media's editorial coverage or conclusions.
