Pirelli Powergy – 55 dimensions available by year’s end

Pirelli has shared further details about its new Powergy range. The tyre maker says it will offer this replacement market summer tyres for cars, crossovers, SUVs and MPVs in 55 sizes for 17- to 20-inch rims and H to Y speed ratings by the end of this year.

According to Pirelli, Powergy is “a tyre focused on safety and sustainability for everyday driving, to benefit both the driver and environment.” It comes with an ‘A’ label rating for wet braking performance and ‘B’ for rolling resistance.

Developing with virtual reality

Pirelli says it “used the most advanced virtual reality systems” to attain its performance goals when developing Powergy. “These new processes have allowed the tread pattern and tyre profile to be optimised, maximising the contact patch,” elaborates the tyre maker. “This contact patch is perfectly balanced, with uniform pressure across it to reduce braking distances and enhance the car’s controllability and driving precision.

Pirelli Powergy (Photo: Pirelli)

“These aspects are matched to compounds with specific polymers, improving wet braking and tyre life. The tread pattern design, characterised by longitudinal grooves intersected by oblique channels, permits excellent dispersal of water to help prevent aquaplaning and increase safety in the wet. These results were achieved thanks also to data analysis from the static simulator at Pirelli’s Research and Development department in Milan, as well as final track tests to validate the new tyre.

“As a result, development time was considerably shortened, with the whole tyre created in just 18 months, despite the difficulties created by COVID-19 restrictions, using fewer physical prototypes with consequent benefits to the environment.” Pirelli adds that it will use the processes created by its Research and Development department when developing Powergy for subsequent new tyres.