Vehicle dynamics requirements are of major interest in the OE-related tire development process. An efficient and target-oriented development of vehicle dynamics relevant tire characteristics can be supported by using virtual methods and vehicle dynamics simulation. In this article a methodology for a virtual investigation of handling performances with outdoor- and indoor tire models based on a technology project of Volkswagen and Continental is presented. At first an overview of different methodologies for handling assessment based on outdoor tests and virtual tests in OE-related tire development is given. The comparison of lateral dynamics in linear and nonlinear driving maneuvers is of major interest. After that an advanced methodology for generating outdoor tire models on basis of vehicle measurements on real road surfaces is presented. A comparison with conventional indoor tire models is done and differences in sideforce characteristics are analyzed. Finally, a virtual investigation of handling performances of indoor- and outdoor tire models is carried out. The influence of tire model specific properties on the vehicle behavior in the limit area is discussed. An outlook for the future potential of virtual tire-vehicle interaction is presented.