Pirelli Unveils New Diablo Rosso

Pirelli has used the 65th International Motorcycle Exhibition (EICMA) in Milan as the venue to present the latest in it Diablo tyre range – the Pirelli Diablo Rosso – to international media. Described by Pirelli as representing a new generation of tyre, the Diablo Rosso is aimed at the supersport segment and adopts Pirelli’s patented EPT (Enhanced Patch Technology) in its design.

The front profile of the Diablo Rosso is designed to optimise the contact patch area, thereby, claims Pirelli, providing the most advantageous balance between fast and linear behaviour in corners while delivering an impressive ease of handling. The Pirelli patented Zero Degrees steel belt lurking below the tread is intended to keep the Diablo Rosso’s profile in optimal shape at all times and yet provide sufficient elasticity for very progressive feedback and behaviour regardless of lean angle. Rear tyre contact patch area is said to be improved through the inclusion of ‘nude’ shoulders. This clean area on the rear shoulder, in conjunction with the calibrated cuts in the centre tread, are said to maxmise the contact patch.

During the development of the Diablo Rosso, Pirelli’s engineers are reported to have paid strong attention to the tyre’s behaviour on wet road surfaces, a criterion important today more than ever due to the increased performance of the latest generation of motorcycle and the expectations of riders. The Diablo Rosso’s front tread is designed to open the water layer; the calibrated grooves between the rear crown and the edges thus effectively disperse the residual water, while the structure maintains the grooves in an open state even in extreme conditions.

The adoption of EPT means that Pirelli has not needed to rely upon multiple compounds to obtain the qualities they sought in their new tyre. The compound used in the Diablo Rosso is said to provide a balanced mix of rigidity and hysteresis, guaranteeing the fastest warm-up on every ground condition, both at low or high temperatures. Therefore, says Pirelli, linear grip response when entering curves will be at its best from the very start. The compound provides a high mechanical resistance, and the balance of silica versus carbon black are intended to offer strong and stable performance, high mileage and ‘unbeatable’ grip on wet surfaces.

As mentioned previously, the tyre’s radial carcass, with its Zero Degrees steel belt, optimises the shape of contact patch in order to maximise stability in all conditions, from lean to braking. The carcass is able to absorb irregularities in the road surface, further improving the tyre’s sense of contact.