Pirelli “Super Single” For Light Trucks At SEMA

Many in the US tyre business were expecting Pirelli to come to SEMA 2006 with a 32″ Scorpion Zero tyre, following its success with the 30″ version first shown at the New York Auto Show this year. Not so, as Pirelli decided to think more laterally (in every sense of the word). What Pirelli has brought to this year’s SEMA show in a world “first” is a 405/25R24 Scorpion Zero Asimmetrico, a trend setting idea for a ‘Super Single’ tyre for light trucks.

Inspired by the technology in the heavy truck market and driven by the aggressive look of the “twin-wheeled” options of the bigger pick-up trucks, the new tyre is so far merely a concept – but assuming that market reaction to the new tyre is as strong as expected, Pirelli will press ahead and produce this tyre in its MIRS factory in Rome, Georgia in early 2007. The 405/25R24 Scorpion Zero Asimmetrico is the widest tire that can be made on Pirelli’s MIRS production system.

The new tyre will be on display in Pirelli’s stand at SEMA and also on a DUB Dodge Ram 1500 at the entrance to the show. The tyre may be mounted on a 14.5″ or 15″ wide rim and is intended for all kinds of customised light trucks, particularly the small and mid-sized trucks that have wildly modified bodywork and rear suspensions. Pirelli would
especially like to thank Myles Kovacs of Dub and American Racing T.I.S Wheels for their help in this initiative.

“Sure, we could have made a 32-inch Scorpion this year; actually we could have made it last year,” commented Guy Mannino, president of Pirelli Tire North America. “But since none of our competitors have yet demonstrated any technology beyond making a handful of prototypes bigger than 28 inch and we are selling plenty of 30-inch Scorpions, we decided to do something a little different this year. SEMA is the birthplace of almost all extreme tuning ideas, so why not show the true face of Pirelli here: market leading innovation, technology beyond that of our competitors and trend-setting products that display an intuitive understanding of what looks cool.”