Customised P Zero Trofeo R tyres for newest Pagani

Pagani has a new hypercar, and once again Pirelli has been assigned to take care of the tyres. Of course, not just any tyre will do – Pirelli has developed a version of its most performance-focused road tyre specifically for the Pagani Huayra Roadster BC. The P Zero Trofeo R will be fitted as original equipment on the Huayra Roadster BC in size 265/30 R20 at the front and 355/25 R21 behind.

Pirelli and Pagani have worked together since 2005, however this time the two firms approached the tyre development process differently. The process began with modelling and predictive simulation, a virtual pre-development process that uses a computer model to accurately replicate the car’s dynamic characteristics without needing to actually make real tyres for it. Modelling and predictive simulation result in reduced lead times, greater harmony between objective data and subjective impressions behind the wheel, as well as an end product that is even more closely matched to the car it’s intended for.

The new Pagani comes with a twin-turbo V12 six-litre engine that puts out 800 hp and 1050 Nm of torque. It can propel the car beyond 300 km/h and enables it to generate in excess of 1.9g through corners, with peak lateral loads of 2.2g. All this performance is translated to the road via the contact patches of the four P Zero Trofeo R tyres. Engineers from Pirelli and Pagani have enlarged the front tyres’ contact patch by deciding upon a new front tyre size with wider channels, a bigger cord and larger rims.

Moving to a new tyre size delivers several benefits. Pirelli says it gives the tyre greater strength to support extra aerodynamic downforce loads. Driving dynamics have also been improved thanks to a stiffer tyre structure that permits less sliding. The result of this is that the Roadster BC has a sharper turn-in with a more linear driving experience and less tendency towards understeer. Another advantage of the increased tyre size is better braking: The latest Pagani now manages to pull 2.2g under braking.

Work done on the new P Zero Trofeo R front meant the rear tyre also had to be revised in order to maintain the right balance between the two axles. Pirelli’s engineers modified the tread pattern design – laying it out differently and increasing the size of the blocks as well as the longitudinal grooves. This resulted in better traction under acceleration: Pirelli speaks of a seven per cent like-for-like improvement.

“We’re proud to celebrate more than ten years of mutual respect and partnership with Pirelli, in a shared mission for constant improvement,” says Horacio Pagani, founder and chief designer of Pagani Automobili. “One of the objectives that we set ourselves for the new P Zero Trofeo R was definitely for it to provide a good feel through the steering wheel; as if your hands were gripping the road. The know-how and ability of Pirelli’s engineers have made this a really communicative tyre, which lets you know exactly when you are approaching the limit of adhesion.”

Marco Tronchetti Provera, Pirelli’s chief executive officer and vice chairman, adds: “Horacio Pagani always sets us some great challenges. Every time we work together, we find ourselves facing exciting new limits to overcome. This is an amazing inspiration, which allows us to carry out research and development with an extraordinary partner. Pirelli has innovation and the constant desire to improve at the very heart of its DNA, which is why we consistently look for technological excellence in each product. Every project with Pagani always brings us something new.”