Pirelli supplying off-road tyre for Porsche 911

For the first time in the model’s 59-year history, Porsche is specifying an off-road tyre as original equipment for the 911. It has turned to Pirelli, who is delivering the Scorpion All Terrain Plus, a tyre it claims to have “designed for the most challenging conditions.” The tyre will be standard equipment on the new Porsche 911 Dakar, a reinterpretation of the classic coupé with maximised off-road capabilities. Porsche is offering the 911 Dakar exclusively with Pirelli tyres as original equipment, including summer P Zero tyres for use on asphalt and P Zero Winter for optimal grip in the colder months.

Scorpion All Terrain Plus is the member of the Scorpion line-up specifically designed to offer resistance and support over the most demanding terrain, but Pirelli has further adapted the tyre to allow the Porsche 911 Dakar the versatility of an off-roader as well as the high performance that has always epitomised this sporting icon. Pirelli achieved this double aim through a “unique development programme” that relied heavily on its experience of producing UHP tyres for the world’s fastest cars.

New compounds, stronger structure

Pirelli’s research and development department has debuted a new family of compounds with this product. The tyre maker explains that these are compounds capable of handling the performance of the 911 Dakar both on loose surfaces and asphalt. Furthermore, Pirelli strengthened the tyre’s structure, especially at the rear, optimising this to improve the contact patch. The tread pattern also differs from existing versions of the Scorpion All Terrain Plus. Pirelli says the Porsche 911 Dakar tyre features a tread pattern that equally delivers competitive performance in the dry, making it as effective on a circuit as in the desert.

911 Dakar wears Scorpion All Terrain Plus tyres in sizes 295/40 ZR 20 at the rear (pictured) & 245/45 ZR 19 at the front (Photo: Pirelli)

“All this is achieved without compromising the fundamental aspects that a tyre needs for everyday use, such as stability, safety and comfort,” states Pirelli. Throughout the outdoor testing schedule for this tyre, the tyre maker drove the 911 Dakar on all the main proving grounds in Europe, as well as on variety of tracks representative of a wide range of conditions.

Pirelli and Porsche enjoy a long history of collaboration, with the Porsche 911 being the very first car to receive a specific marking (in this case, the ‘N’ symbol) to denote its development as an original equipment tyre back in 1982.