Broadening its product offerings, Pirelli announced the newest addition to the P Zero line – the P Zero Nero GT.
The tiremaker shared details about the new replacement tire with trade media over the weekend. Those in attendance also had the chance to test the tire’s performance on including the Subaru WRXs, Lexus GS 350s and Acura RLXs.
Technology is part of Pirelli’s DNA, said Paolo Ferrari, Pirelli Tire North America chairman and CEO. Challenged from within and by OEMs, Pirelli has been continuously developing technology for its tires and the new GT features some of those advancements, he said.
The P Zero Nero GT is a summer tire that will feature “balanced” performance and can be featured on vehicles ranging from sports coupes to larger high-powered sedans.
The GT features a more traditional Pirelli tread designed to react to drivers’ inputs promptly and function in the rain, said Steve Carpino, vice president of research and development. Additionally, a
“Something critical is the compound – you don’t see it but you feel in the tire,” Carpino said. “We wanted to maintain the sporty characterisitcs of the tire but add that piece of treadwear. You expect if you’re going to pay whatever the price of the tire is, that you’re going to get your money’s worth in terms of the longevity of the tire. You’re probably never going to have that tire on the absolute limits on a race track, but you’re going to be driving that tire every day…That’s where a big part of the improvement came.”
Depending on the tire size, drivers can expect to get 30,000-32,000 miles out of the GT, a roughly 20% improvement. The change in mileage is a result of changing the footprint of the tire and its compound, without loss in other areas of performance, Carpino noted.
While the company isn’t currently offering a treadwear warranty on the tire, it is looking to develop a universal warranty for the company in the future, Ferrari said.
The focus on mileage is a shift for Pirelli, and is a change that will allow the tiremaker to address a bigger segment in North America, Ferrari said, adding that the company isn’t completely changing its DNA, however, and will still go after image-conscious consumers and enthusiasts.
The P Zero Nero GT will launch in 27 sizes, with a total of 60 sizes available as the year progresses.
This year, Pirelli is spending 30% more in marketing than last year, Ferrari said. Advertising for the GT will include targeted campaigns online and in print.
In the coming years, Pirelli is committed to offering new products more frequently with a clear focus, he added.
“A lot of competitiors come up with lots of products and put them on the street. It can be very confusing,” Ferrari said. “For us it’s clear brands and clear applications – all-season, winter, OE and replacement. By making this a continuous process of innovating and launching new products every year, we will be able to tell a new story.”
The tiremaker added it has additional tires to debut this year.
Source: Tire Reviews
