Welcome into the World of Westlake
COLOGNE, Germany – ZC Rubber concluded its participation at THE TIRE COLOGNE 2026, highlighting the continued development of its WESTLAKE brand in Europe through a comprehensive product showcase from June 9 to 11.
At this year’s exhibition, WESTLAKE presented a broad product direction for the European market, covering new passenger car and light truck tires scheduled for launch in the second half of 2026, an established commercial truck tire lineup, and selected future product previews for 2027.
The showcase reflected WESTLAKE’s growing focus on key European application scenarios, from everyday mobility and all-season performance to all-terrain driving, long-haul transport, and motorsport.
In the passenger car and light truck segment, WESTLAKE presented a series of upcoming products designed to meet different market needs. Highlights included the WESTLAKE ZuperFlex Z-137 in the ultra-high-performance segment, the WESTLAKE Zuper4S Z-411 for all-season driving, and the WESTLAKE TERRA LEGEND SL399 for all-terrain applications.
A key focus for year-round European mobility was the WESTLAKE Zuper4S Z-411 all-season tire. Designed to handle shifting seasonal conditions, the Z-411 combines wet safety, snow traction, and dry handling into a single solution. Its V-shaped grooves optimize water flow to accelerate water and slush evacuation, while a high-density 3D siping layout ensures braking stability on snowy roads. Combining summer-oriented directional elements with winter-focused zigzag patterns, alongside a wide-temperature all-season compound, the Z-411 delivers reliable grip and durability throughout its service life.
In the commercial truck segment, ZC Rubber strengthened its established WESTLAKE Gen II commercial tire lineup—highly recognized by European fleets for mileage and efficiency—by highlighting the WSL2 steer tire and WDL2+ drive tire for long-haul transport:
The WESTLAKE WSL2 (Steer): Designed for steer position applications, it focuses on stable steering, mileage, fuel efficiency, and tread protection. Its high-contact tread pattern optimizes pressure distribution to improve wear performance, while a low-heat-generation compound enhances fuel economy and extends service life. Additionally, S-shaped sipes ensure exceptional water evacuation and handling stability, complemented by advanced stone-ejectors that protect the tread base during long-haul operations.
The WESTLAKE WDL2+ (Drive): Engineered for drive position applications, it focuses on exceptional traction, extended mileage, and operating efficiency. Its high-stiffness blocks and low-heat compound reduce rolling resistance to maximize fuel savings. To ensure uniform wear, a widened tread surface with PSCT design evenly distributes footprint pressure, while high-density 3D siping enhances wet and snowy grip. The advanced Belt-wrap Technology (BWT) further reinforced casing to deliver superior durability under heavy loads.
For track and motorsport fans, the upgraded WESTLAKE Sport RS2 took center stage at the ZC Rubber booth, displayed with the Red Bull Driftbrothers’ drift car and driver Elias Hountondji. Developed through close collaboration with the Driftbrothers, the tire features a competition-focused enhanced rubber compound for more consistent grip and precise control under extreme racing conditions. The compound is currently supplied exclusively to the partner team, with future retail availability under consideration.
Looking ahead, ZC Rubber also previewed selected future WESTLAKE developments for Europe, including the WESTLAKE Z-301 commercial van tire and upcoming TBR solutions such as the WESTLAKE WTL2 and WESTLAKE WTR OEM.
Mr. Leo Liao, General Manager of ZC Rubber Europe, commented:
“The Tire Cologne gave us an important opportunity to show not only a broader product portfolio, but a clearer direction for Europe. We are focusing on products that respond to the way European customers actually drive, operate and make purchasing decisions — from year-round mobility to long-haul efficiency and durability. These products reflect how we are listening to European customers and partners, and how we are building a portfolio that is more closely aligned with local market needs.”
The newly introduced WESTLAKE passenger car and light truck products are scheduled to roll out across Europe in the second half of 2026, while the WESTLAKE Gen II TBR lineup, including WSL2 and WDL2+, is already available for commercial transport applications. ZC Rubber will continue to strengthen WESTLAKE’s product development, brand presence and partner support in Europe, delivering tire solutions tailored to the region’s diverse driving and transport requirements.
