Pirelli P ZERO: High Level of Performance
ESTORIL, Portugal – The involvement of tire companies in motorsports isn’t simply a question of prestige or brand image. Their participation also benefits engineers, and their efforts obviously translate into clear results, evidenced by the evolution of the high-performance tire presented here, the Pirelli P ZERO.
To show off their new-generation gumball, Pirelli didn’t skimp on the grandeur of the event, as we got to try them out on the Estoril circuit in Portugal. And not with just any kind of cars, either, as the ones we got to drive were pretty hot. They include the Porsche 911, Lamborghini Huracán, Audi R8, Mercedes-AMG GT and Ferrari 488 GTB. These exotics were all put to our disposition in order for us to measure how well this new tire performs.
We must understand that Pirelli works by homologation while it develops the P ZERO. The manufacturer closely collaborates with automakers to create a perfectly adapted tire. As an example, the Milan company’s engineers are currently working on their 2019 models. In addition, representatives from each automotive manufacturer were on hand during our test day.
Evolution
The new P ZERO benefits from several noteworthy improvements. First of all, its belt is now stronger, and this enhancement comes straight from their work in Formula 1. The water evacuation channels are also larger to avoid aquaplaning. Lighter composite materials are also put to good use, which allow lower rolling resistance while maintaining a high level of performance. And finally, the entire contact patch has been increased for better traction.
All this translates into more reassuring road manners. During our tests, the new high-performance tire performed admirably. The Estoril track offers a wide range of curves and elevation changes. We tried out our cars without deactivating driver assistance systems in order to keep our tests as realistic as possible.
Loads of fun
The new P ZERO is offered in three variations. The Luxury Saloon was developed for more comfortable cars such as the BMW 7 Series and the Maserati Quattroporte. The Sport Car version is better suited to machines like the Porsche 911 and the Audi R8. The P ZERO Corsa will be used on supercars such as the Lamborghini Aventador, the McLaren 570S and the Pagani Huayra. Behind the wheel of this last bunch, professional pilots showed us the full potential of this redesigned Pirelli tire. If the Lamborghini and the McLaren are exceptional cars, I must admit that the Pagani is in a world of its own.
Veritable F18 on four wheels, the Pagani Huayra was served to us for dessert. The P ZERO might be fine for lapping a track, but it will be mainly used on public roads. For this portion of the test, about twenty cars were made available for our drive, including a Jaguar F-Type, a Maserati Ghibli, a Jaguar XF and even a Tesla Model S. Obviously, after an intense track session, we had only good comments regarding the tires after a few hours on the sinuous roads on the coast of Portugal.
To conclude, the new P ZERO can take the heat. In tight curves, we can feel the rigidity of its sidewalls, but once its temperature rises, it can really stick to the pavement. During our tests, the chilly climate had considerably cooled down the track surface, and the first laps had to be performed at a reduced speed. This tire reacts pretty much like competition rubber, and takes a little time to heat up and display its full potential.
Since its arrival in Formula 1, the Pirelli manufacturer has positioned itself as a leader in the performance tire segment. We must simply look at the numerous motorsport series to discover how specialized the Milanese brand has become. And all this acquired track experience has been channelled into the P ZERO. However, know that the cost of a set of P ZERO tires is higher than average. This level of performance does come at a price!
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