Pirelli to denote homologations on P Zero, Cinturato P7 sidewalls

One of the innovations Pirelli has on display at the Geneva Motor Show is ‘autographed’ original equipment tyres. Going into greater detail, the Italian tyre maker explains that the so-called autographs are unique sidewall markings that indicate the rubber compound used in a tyre has been specifically developed to meet a particular vehicle manufacturer’s requirements. Pirelli will include this marking on OEM homologated versions of its P Zero and Cinturato P7.

Pirelli notes that this innovation “has been backed by the world’s car manufacturers, who have an increasing demand for exclusive and technically advanced tyres developed in collaboration with Pirelli’s engineers.” A number of manufacturers already fit their vehicles with bespoke tyres developed in collaboration with Pirelli’s engineers, including Aston Martin, Audi, Bentley, BMW, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Mercedes and Porsche; several new Geneva launches, including McLaren’s new P1, the Ferrari Enzo and the Maserati Quattroporte, also feature specifically-developed Pirelli rubber.

The P Zero was launched in 2007 and evolved over the subsequent years thanks to technical partnerships with the world’s leading automotive constructors. Each new version of the P Zero developed in collaboration with a vehicle manufacturer will now be distinguished by a unique marking on the sidewall, next to the Pirelli logo. “Each evolution is tailor-made for the individual requirements of every specific model, meaning that there is no longer a single P Zero designated as original equipment but instead a whole family of bespoke tyres with common ancestry,” states Pirelli. “Each tyre answers the specific needs of the car it is made for.” To date, there have been 250 P Zero homologations, the tyre maker adds.
 
A complete aftermarket P Zero range is now available, and Pirelli says this line-up “brings together and consolidates the performance of the latest P Zero tyres that have been created as original equipment.”

Also destined for its own ‘autograph’ and continuous development in collaboration with manufacturers is the Cinturato P7, a tyre Pirelli calls its first high-performance ecological tyre for medium to high engine capacity cars. “Cinturato P7 has assumed the market leadership in a short space of time as well as several victories in important international tyre tests. In particular, the Cinturato P7 lowers the environmental impact of every car by using nanofillers and polymers in its compounds that reduce weight compared to its rivals,” states Pirelli. Rolling resistance is claimed to be cut by 20 per cent on the Cinturato P7, meaning that CO2 emissions and fuel consumption go down by 4.2 per cent. The asymmetric tread pattern design is said to lower noise levels by 30 per cent compared to other tyres.