Technology, sustainability and support for young talent – Pirelli states that these are the three cornerstones of its 2022 motorsport campaign. During a live-streamed press conference hosted by Mario Isola, the tyre maker’s head of motorsport, supported by rally activity manager Terenzio Testoni and GT circuit activity manager Matteo Braga, Pirelli set out its plans and priorities for the year.
Pirelli is supplying original equipment tyres for the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E GT Performance Edition, the fastest and most powerful version of the first all-electric SUV produced by the Blue Oval. A new technical collaboration between Pirelli and Ford has resulted in a tailored version of the P Zero, which the Mustang Mach-E GT Performance Edition will wear in size 245/45R20 103Y XL. The tyre features the ‘Elect’ marking on the sidewall, which denotes Pirelli tyres dedicated to electric and hybrid vehicles.
Pirelli will introduce a new tyre for GT racing next year, the P Zero DHF, and for the first time the one tyre will equip all the main classes in this competition. The DHF will take over from the DHE that debuted in GT3 at the start of last year as well as the DHB used in GT4 and will additionally be used for the GT2 class.
Pirelli has tailored two of its tyres for the Mercedes-Benz C-Class. It reports that comfort-oriented drivers may wish to opt for the Cinturato P7, while sportier models can be equipped with the P Zero in size 225/40 R19 at the front and 255/35 R19 on the rear axle.
With an output of 592bhp, the Type S is the most powerful NSX to date. It’s also the final version of the second-generation car, and Honda is producing just 350 specimens. Customers in the USA, where the car is known as the Acura NSX Type S, will receive 300 of these, with the remainder going to buyers in Japan and Central America. Pirelli is supplying tyres for the 2022 Acura NSX Type S.
When Lucid Motors brings the Air to market in the second half of 2021, this inaugural model from the EV start-up will wear Pirelli’s very first high load index tyre – a new type of tyre dedicated primarily to electric or hybrid cars and SUVs. This original equipment arrangement initially pertains to Lucid Air models sold in the USA and sees Pirelli supply its P Zero to Lucid in size HL 245/35R21 99 Y XL for the front axle and HL 265/ 35R21 103 Y XL for the rear.
Pirelli claims a world first with the launch of a range of FSC-certified (Forest Stewardship Council) tyres. Designed for the BMW X5 xDrive45e plug-in-hybrid, these tyres contain FSC-certified natural rubber and rayon. According to Pirelli, its FSC-Certified P Zero represents “a new horizon for increasingly sustainable tyre production.”
The new Ferrari 488 GT Modificata is a limited-edition car exclusively for use during track days and at Ferrari Club Competizioni GT events. Announced last November, the 488 GT Modificata makes its first public appearance this weekend at Finali Mondiali Ferrari 2020, which is taking place at the Marco Simoncelli Misano World Circuit in Italy. As expected, it debuts on Pirelli tyres, in this instance the Pirelli P Zero DHE.
Pirelli claims a world first with its original equipment tyre supply to the new McLaren Artura hybrid supercar. The Italian firm isn’t shipping any old bespoke P Zero tyres, rather tyres that will ‘talk’ to the Artura via Pirelli’s Cyber Tyre system. Each of the 235/35Z R19 front and 295/35 R20 rear tyres contain a sensor that loquaciously provides vital data to the car’s onboard computer.
Pirelli shares that its tyres have gained a total of 78 original equipment homologations for the latest versions of the BMW 8 Series Coupe, Gran Coupe, and Cabrio, including M Sport models. These cars ride on bespoke Pirelli P Zero and Cinturato P7 tyres. Depending on model, Pirelli will supply BMW with 18- to 20-inch fitments.
Pirelli has served as sole tyre supplier to the British GT Championship since 2016 and has announced its return for a fifth season in 2020 – with a pair of new-spec tyres. Competitors in the GT3 category will race on the Pirelli P Zero DHE tyre this season, a product that replaces the prior-generation DHD2. Cars in the slightly less powerful GT4 category will wear another new tyre, the Pirelli P Zero DHB, successor to the DH.
It was a glaring omission from an illustrious who’s who of the tyre world – the Pirelli P Zero was nowhere to be seen amongst the list of finalists for the Auto Bild summer 2020 tyre test. Its combined result in the preliminary round’s wet and dry braking tests only sufficed for 25th place from 50 tyres, a result that Auto Bild called “disappointing”. Pirelli isn’t leaving this stain on the P Zero’s reputation unanswered.
Pirelli has announced that its new P Zero Experience supercar track day, run in association with Salon Privé, will take place between 2 and 3 June 2020 in the UK. The event features driving, premium hospitality and of course and exquisite cars. Initially launched in France 10 years ago, the events now take place at Italy’s famous Mugello circuit, the Yas Marina track in Abu Dhabi and the famous Hockenheimring in Germany. This year the home of British motorsport, Silverstone, joins the line-up.
In mid-October Pirelli introduced its Pirelli Tyre Hotel concept to Dubai. The temperature-controlled facility at Pirelli’s P Zero World in Dubai is fitted with custom-designed racks designed to enhance health and longevity of tyres. The concept was first introduced by Pirelli at its Tyre Performance Centre in Burton-on-Trent, England.
