The P Zero Silver extends the P Zero range and introduces the first series of highly specialised Pirelli products, designed to meet a wide range of different motorists’ needs

This tyre has been designed for drivers with a sporty driving style who cover more than 20,000 kilometres per year

The P Zero Silver consolidates Pirelli’s premium strategy and reinforces the company’s position within the European market

With track tests on the Monteblanco circuit and road tests on the demanding roads of Andalucia, Pirelli launches the P Zero Silver. This is the first Ultra High Performance road tyre to be directly derived from Formula One, developed for sports cars and sporting saloons. The P Zero Silver was launched at Jerez de la Frontera in Spain, at the same time as the first Formula One tests that mark the launch of the 2012 season took place. The new tyre expands the P Zero range, and marks the first in a series of highly specialised Pirelli road car tyres, ensuring the maximum level of performance even after long distances. Thanks to the same processes that are used in Formula One, Pirelli underlines some of the key characteristics of the entire P Zero range through the new Silver – with the emphasis on durability.

The structure, compound and tread pattern design of the Silver have been developed to resist any deformation in the tyre’s profile, lengthening the tyre’s life and extending the consistency of its performance. The Silver has been conceived for drivers who enjoy performance and use their cars frequently. The P Zero Silver is particularly designed for people who drive their cars every day and
cover more than 20,000 kilometres per year, mostly on motorways.

The P Zero Silver will be produced in eight sizes, for 19 to 20 inch wheels, and will be available as a limited edition in European markets from April 2012. The Silver constitutes the ‘missing link’ between two of Pirelli’s most famous tyre ranges: P Zero, fitted as original equipment to the world’s fastest and most desirable cars, and Cinturato P7 – a best-selling, high-performance ecological tyre, which has triumphed in some of the world’s most demanding magazine tests.

With the Silver, Pirelli is particularly concentrating on W, Y and Z speed ratings (i.e. for speeds greater than or equal to 270km / h) with 19-inch wheels. The European market in this sector has expanded by 260% in the last six years, with an average growth rate of 24%. These tyres are now fitted to saloon cars and medium-sized coupés, whereas in the past they were the exclusive preserve of exotic supercars.

Formula One in the P Zero Silver. With the P Zero Silver, Pirelli allows everyday motorists to benefit from the main innovations and production processes introduced for Formula One. These sophisticated techniques ensured a consistent and rapid evolution of the tyres supplied to all the grand prix teams last year. This latest road tyre from the famous P Zero range shares the same mathematical modeling process with its Formula One equivalent. In particular, the design and development took place using the same state of the art computer simulation, which allows the tyre’s performance and behavior to be assessed under an extremely wide range of conditions.
This virtual modeling allowed Pirelli to develop in record time a tyre that not only underlines the latent characteristics of the entire P Zero range – emphasising and improving durability – but also heralds a new collection of highly specialised road car tyres.

These unique processes allowed Pirelli to develop its Formula One tyres in just a few months, recreating real race conditions in a laboratory. By applying these methods to the new P Zero Silver for the road, Pirelli’s research team has been able to create a bespoke tyre for motorists who need premium performance from their coupés and sporting saloons, even after driving long distances.

The Pirelli P Zero Silver also shares new materials, polymers and resins with the Formula One tyres, together with new technologies for compound development and production, as well as the construction process. In particular, the new tyre will be produced using the latest MIRS technology, Pirelli’s unique robotised system that ensures the best possible quality and precision. The entire production run for the P Zero Silver will take place at the SettimoTorinese plant in Turin, Italy, where all the current Formula One compounds are produced.

The P Zero Silver name in Formula One denotes a hard-compound tyre that combines durability with high performance. In exactly the same way, the roadgoing P Zero Silver tyre offers high performance, safety and increased durability, thanks to innovative technologies that unite the characteristics of the soft and hard compounds. This is a brand new concept for highperformance tyres, confirming Pirelli’s position at the cutting edge of product innovation. The vision has been turned into reality by Pirelli’s engineers thanks to the optimisation of the tread pattern and the unique structure of the tyre, which allows a more uniform distribution of the contact patch and guarantees even wear with optimal control under all circumstances.

Pirelli aims to become the world leader in the premium sector by 2015, encouraged by consumer patterns that increasingly point towards high-level products. Between 2011 and 2015, growth in the premium tyre sector is expected to be 9.6% per year, compared to a standard growth rate of 3.7%. Pirelli is able to rely on a great experience in the premium sector, thanks to original equipment deals with some of the leading German car manufacturers arrived at through the company’s research and development centre in Germany. The importance of this vital segment for Pirelli is underlined by a budget that is entirely devoted to it, employing 1,200 specialised researchers worldwide.

During a four-day test at the Andalusian circuit, from Tuesday to Friday (7-10 February) each car will have 25 sets of Pirelli’s new soft, medium and hard compounds available, along with the wet tyres if needed. Teams are allowed a maximum of 100 sets of tyres per car each year for testing purposes, and they are permitted to choose the compounds they would like to test within their allowance. None of the teams have nominated the supersoft compound for Jerez: the only compound to remain unchanged from 2011.

Experimental compounds for the 2012 tyres were tried out during some of the free practice sessions last year, as well as at the young driver test following the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. However, the regular drivers now have the opportunity to test the new compounds together with the new profiles for the tyres, which this year are much ‘squarer’ in order to provide a greater contact patch and deliver a longer period of peak performance, while maintaining an overall lifespan in the region of 100 kilometres. 

The tyres have been designed to provide more grip at the rear of the car, following the latest changes in the aerodynamic regulations that ban blown exhausts for 2012.

Once more the teams will start from scratch, as all the compounds apart from the supersoft are new, with more visible colour markings. In the unlikely event that it rains in the south of Spain next week, the drivers will also get to try out the new Cinturato rubber: the designation for the intermediate and full wet tyres – which echo the name of Pirelli’s first Formula One tyres from the 1950s.

With the 2012 cars in different phases of development, and some new drivers as well, the emphasis in Jerez will not be on peak performance but instead on understanding the characteristics of the new tyres and matching them to the cars.

The 4.43-kilometre Jerez circuit has hosted both the Spanish and European Grands Prix previously, and it is a popular venue for Formula One testing due to its technical configuration and year-round warm weather. It was one of the venues that Pirelli used for testing in 2010, when the company was building up to its return to Formula One.

The track contains quite a wide variety of corners, ranging from slow curves to some medium to fast bends. The layout puts particular emphasis on rear tyres, which have to work hard to supply the best traction throughout an ample range of speeds. While Jerez does not result in especially high top speeds, every aspect of a car’s performance is comprehensively tested.

Pirelli’s Motorsport Director Paul Hembery said: “After a successful first season in 2011, we are determined to help provide an even better spectacle this year, which is why the entire tyre range has been renewed. At this early point, the emphasis for the teams is expected to be on learning the new tyres and it will be interesting to see which approach they take to that process. Last year, it didn’t take the teams long at all to understand the characteristics of our tyres, and while we are sure that this will be the case again, there will be less of an element of surprise this year, as to some extent the teams know what to expect from our products. This rapid pace of development and reaction is what makes Formula One our ultimate research tool, enhancing Pirelli’s status as the world leader in the Ultra High Performance sector.”

While the teams are testing the 2012 Formula One compounds for the first time, the brand new P Zero Silver road car tyre will also be launched in Jerez: the first of a series of specialised tyres from Pirelli that use Formula One technology. The P Zero Silver road tyre – the same name that is given to the hardest compound in the Formula One range – is designed to combine performance with durability, created for motorists who enjoy sporty driving and cover more than 20,000 kilometres a year.

As well as a name, the P Zero Silver shares Pirelli’s sporting DNA with the Formula One tyres, making use of the same sophisticated design technology that has gone into the tyres that will take to the track in Jerez.

For further information please contact:
Alexandra Schieren +33 607 03 69 03 alexandra.schieren@pirelli.com

Anthony Peacock +44 7765 896 930 anthony@mediatica.co.uk

***

Francescopaolo Tarallo +39 334 684 4307 francescopaolo.tarallo@pirelli.com
(Head of Motorsport and Product Communications)

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Estonian Tanel Leok on his Suzuki RM-Z450 from the Rockstar Energy Suzuki team, both equipped with Pirelli Scorpion MX Soft 410 tyres, give the Italian brand their umpteenth success in an exciting race this year on sand and snow

During this past weekend Pirelli added another trophy to its already rich collection: Frenchman Jean-Claude Moussè from team Yamaha Racing France won the 2012 edition of the legendary Enduropale du Touquet astride his Yamaha YZ450F with Estonian Tanel Leok from team Rockstar Energy Suzuki coming in behind him on his RM-Z450. Both the bikes were equipped with Pirelli Scorpion MX Soft 410 tyres. For Pirelli this is not only a brilliant double win in an extremely exciting race where hundreds of riders participate, but it is also the ninth consecutive victory which confirms the success of the Italian tyre manufacturer and the range of Pirelli Scorpion tyres in competitions, like this one, on sand.

Created in 1975 under the name “Enduro des Sables” by Frenchman Thierry Sabine, the inventor of the legendary Paris-Dakar race, over the years the Enduropale du Touquet has also become a legendary race where a thousand riders participate and more than 200,000 spectators follow. This year the race was characterised by a 17.8 km route and the riders, besides having to deal with the treacherous sand, also had to reckon with the snow which covered the beaches of Touquet, Stella and Merlomont over which the track unravelled.

French rider Jean-Claude Moussè finished the race in 3h11’46.105 taking the top step on the podium for the third time at 41 years of age, while World Motocross Championship rider Tanel Leok finished second at a distance of 1’23.562, ensuring the Scorpion MX Soft 410 tyres a brilliant one-two finish.

The Pirelli Scorpion MX Soft 410 tyres are part of the Scorpion MX range, capable of guaranteeing the best possible performance on soft terrain such as sand and mud. Effective in all conditions: competition, training or fun, these tyres provide excellent traction and optimum self cleaning properties, allowing the rider to push to the limit right from the start of the race. They also have a specific carcass which is able to maintain efficient performance and reliability on soft terrain during the entire race and the rear tyre knobs have a blade layout for maximum traction even on mud and sand. The design and compound were developed with the contribution of the most prestigious competitors in MX competition.

Q&A with Jukka Korhonen, 2012 Pirelli Star Driver

Jukka, what are your impressions of driving the Skoda Fabia R2 for the first time since you were selected as Pirelli Star Driver?

Pirelli BRC Press Release (115 KB)

Online from today, this page will be a space which is managed directly by the Italian tyre manufacturer, meeting its users on the net in order to answer their questions and to provide a direct information channel which is always up to date as well as containing
exclusive services

Pirelli, always attentive both to the needs of its users and to new communication media tools, continues reinforcing its presence on the web and in the social media world. Just over a year after launching the Pirelli Official Page which brings together all of the Group’s main events, Pirelli is ready to relaunch and meet bikers all over the world who are fans of the Italian brand in an exclusive space dedicated to them: in fact, the new Pirelli Moto Facebook page has been created.

The official Pirelli Moto page, available at http://www.facebook.com/PirelliMoto, was created as an exclusive channel through which the exploits of champions in the most important two wheel races can be followed on a national and international level, as well as a place to get a sneak peek of all of the company news. These are front row seats that Pirelli has reserved for its fans – both those who are already happy owners of Pirelli tyres but also those who are simply motorcycle lovers. Users can interact and talk directly with the historic Italian tyre company, receiving answers to their questions as well as suggestions and tips on products in the Pirelli range on their use both on the road and on the track.

FIM Superbike World Championship, FIM Motocross World Championship, Monster Energy AMA Supercross, British Superbike Championship, Dakar and the Isle of Man TT are just some of the events that those who “like” the page will be able to follow through posts, videos, photo albums and custom created tabs that Pirelli will publish regularly so that its community can relive all the excitement of the best in motorcycle racing.

With a strong line up featuring new signing James “Bubba” Stewart and veteran Davi Millsaps who will both race exclusively on Pirelli Scorpion SX tyres, team owner Coy Gipps was quick to underline its credentials as a serious championship contender.

James Stewart, a multiple championship class winner commented, “I was really impressed with the commitment that the guys at Pirelli showed during testing”.

“Working with a first class team and organization like Joe Gibbs Racing will allow us to continue the success of the Scorpion SX family of tyres in the USA” said Pirelli North American Off-Road Manager, Josh Whitmire.

Davi Millsaps was quick to agree: “Pirelli has been working really hard to develop for us the best possible tyres. 2012 is going to be a great season”.

Pirelli has won 56 World Championships to date, making it a leader in off-road tires worldwide. This legacy of success has led to an expertise in engineering and optimum tires.

The 2012 AMA Supercross and FIM World Championship Series got underway on the 8^th January at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California.

Specially designed for professional riders and motorcyclists with a sporty riding style, the Diablo Supercorsa’s SC version will this year be used exclusively by Superstock 1000 FIM Cup riders.

At year end, Pirelli is to extend the use of the new tyre to various national championships with the introduction of additional sizes.

The street version of the Diablo Supercorsa (SP) is an amalgamation of the technology arising from the experience that Pirelli has acquired in its role as sole supplier to the World Superbike Championship since 2004.

As proof of its excellent qualities, Ducati has already chosen the Diablo Supercorsa SP as original equipment for its new 1199 Panigale supersport model, adopting the sizes used for the Superstock 1000 FIM Cup (120/70 and 200/55). In early 2013 the Diablo Supercorsa SP range will be extended to include rear sizes 180/55, 190/55 and 190/50.

The new motorcycle tyre does not forgo the customisable look that has been a feature of recent Diablo products. Indeed, the new Supercorsa SP can be personalised with stickers that are fitted to special areas on the sidewalls of both front and rear tyres. These stickers can be created at the Pirelli website and delivered to your door (the service is available in Europe and Australia).

DiabloAnniversary

Diablo_Supercorsa

These new tyres can be fitted to lightweight 125 cc and 250 cc racing bikes with small rims and a short wheelbase that means they are nimble and able to change direction quickly. Compared to their larger Superbike counterparts, they are bikes lacking the power to accelerate when coming out of tight corners, since the average power delivered by these engines varies from 24 to 44 HP.

The new Diablo Superbike “mini sizes” are specially designed to cater for these specific characteristics, without affecting the qualities that have made so famous the larger sizes used by champions.

The new sizes have a grooved profile that delivers great agility and fast lean in, whilst the compound utilised still manages to produce optimised grip despite the smaller contact patch.

The new Diablo Superbike sizes provide key features such as reduced warm-up times, fast achievement of optimum temperature, improved grip during high-speed cornering, excellent directional stability, elimination of the need for a sophisticated suspension setup and overall performance that boosts rider confidence and the feeling of grip.

In particular, the front 100/70 R17 is an SC1 compound, whilst the riders have a choice of three versions for the rear 125/70 R17: SC0 and SC1 for racing only and SC2 that is preferred for practice. As of February, both slick sizes will be available in a rain version with SCR1 compound.

In a nutshell, the improvements regard: +10/15% higher mileage, +10% better handling in wet and dry conditions, up to 30% better rolling resistance for the TH:01, lower noise levels (up to 30% for the TH:01).

There is no change to the excellent performance levels as far as braking distances, grip and traction in the wet are concerned. They also boast ECOIMPACT symbols on the sidewall confirming their lower environmental impact.

The FH:01 and TH:01 have an enlarged tread for higher mileage and innovative tread patterns. The new wave-shaped geometry of the FH:01’s grooves guarantees steering precision, whilst the TH:01’s directional tread pattern offers improved grip on both wet and dry surfaces.

Enriched with a high percentage of silica and nanofillers, the new tread compound recipes have played an essential role in ensuring the maximum level of performance as far as rolling resistance and mileage are concerned.

In conclusion, the H:01 line’s new tread patterns make them ideal for fitting to buses as well.

FH:01 Energy and TH:01 Energy are available from January 2012 in sizes 295/80R22.5, 295/60R22.5, 315/60R22.5, 305/70R22.5, 315/70R22.5, 315/80R22.5 and 385/55R22.5 (FH:01 only).

Neapolitan by birth and New Yorker by adoption, Sorrenti chose Corsica and the rugged landscape of Murtoli a short distance from Bonifacio for the shooting of the famous Pirelli Calender.

The 25 pictures – 18 black and white and 7 colour – are presented in a refined, canvas-lined portfolio, a format that has never been used before.

There are twelve stars of this edition: nine models and three actresses. The models are: the Brazilian Isabeli Fontana, the Russian Natasha Poly, the Dutch Saskia de Brauw and Lara Stone, the Americans Joan Small and Guinevere Van Seenus, the Polish Malgosia, the Lithuanian Edita Vilkeviciute and Briton Kate Moss. The actresses are the Ukrainian Milla Jovovich, the Italian Margareth Madè and the Japanese Rinko Kikuchi.

«In “Swoon”, I put the bodies in direct contact with nature, which harbours them as if they were its extension, in a set of images where rocks, land, tree trunks, sky and sea are all turned into a backdrop for the bodies», explains Mario Sorrenti, an artist whose fame was built on his extraordinary skill with nudes.