Pirelli Scorpion family primed to capitalise on 4×4 vehicle growth

Noting that in 2015 SUVs outsold the traditionally popular subcompact and compact segments in Europe for the first time in history, Pirelli says its Scorpion family of tyres is ready to capitalise. The tyre range is designed for sports performance on the road while being able to handle off-road conditions safely. The tread pattern offers increased grip, braking safety and high speed performance. And for those models most akin to regular car performance, Pirelli also offers its ultra-high performance P Zero as a choice for SUV drivers.

The Scorpion family includes the Scorpion ATR, Scorpion Winter, Scorpion Ice and Snow, Scorpion Verde, Scorpion Verde All Season and finally, the Scorpion Zero. Each tyre is designed for different conditions: the Scorpion ATR can be used on a variety of surfaces, making it extremely versatile. Designed for 50 per cent off-road use it is tenacious and reliable, while for the remaining 50 per cent on-road use it provides comfort, traction and resistance to wear, Pirelli states. The curved central grooves are one of its key features and enable the tyre to displace mud and stones easily.

The tyre manufacturer said that the Scorpion Winter represents a technological breakthrough for the colder months in terms of overall performance. Certified by TÜV, the tyre combines improved braking and handling in all conditions with lower noise and rolling resistance. The Scorpion Ice and Snow goes further as a tyre for the harshest of seasonal conditions with a select number of fitments suited to this motoring category.

The Scorpion Verde is designed for large SUVs, utilising innovative materials to reduce rolling resistance and therefore fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. The tyre was joined by an all-season model for better performance, year-round.

Finally, the Scorpion Zero represents the sports performance market. The tyre has a Z-profile tread pattern that provides increased grip, while Pirelli says it generates enough traction for safe driving off-road.

The Scorpion range was developed in close collaboration with premium car manufacturers in order to work in perfect harmony with their vehicles and the modern ABS and traction stability systems that accompany them. The manufacturer has homologations with the Porsche Macan, Jaguar F-PACE, Range Rover Sport, Mercedes G Class and Tesla’s new SUV, the Model X, signifying its premium credentials.

Pirelli technology helps reduce driving noise

Pirelli has also innovated a new technology to enhance the comfort of motorists using these tyres. Both the Range Rover Sport and Tesla Model X utilise Pirelli Noise Cancelling System (PNCS), which reduces the noise that each tyre produces as it runs along the road. This noise, caused by the vibration produced by air that is compressed when the tyre is pressed against the road, is transmitted from the tyre to the wheel hub before eventually reaching the cabin via the steering and suspension. Pirelli’s system makes use of a polyurethane sponge on the inside of the tyre that is designed to absorb these vibrations and therefore reduce the amount of noise passed through to the cabin. The PNCS reduces noise by between two to three decibels, with a consequent improvement in driving comfort that doesn’t have any other effects on the tyre’s characteristics.