The summer passenger tire Pirelli Pzero Silver is one of the novelties of this renowned and respected Italian manufacturer. This tire is one of the first models that are the result of the cooperation between the Italian tire company and Formula 1 racing. The main feature of this tire is that it was developed using the same technologies as those used in creating tires for Formula 1. The tire owes its name to the world of Formula 1 as well. The fact is that in these races, various types of tires are used, which differ mainly in their degree of stiffness. Visually, they are distinguished by the color of the markings applied to the sidewalls of the tires. The gray color corresponds to the tire with the highest degree of stiffness, which is why this model received such a name.
Design of the tread pattern of the Italian tire Pirelli
Since this tire, like other models of the Pzero family, is designed for movement at very high speeds and belongs to the category of Ultra-High Technology tires, its tread is equipped with an asymmetric directional tread pattern. Its characteristic feature is the presence of three longitudinal ribs of a solid structure in the central part of the tread. The high stiffness of this part of the tread is one of the most important factors that ensured excellent course stability and the lightning-fast and precise reactions of the Pirelli PZero Silver tire to steering wheel turns. Additionally, all three ribs contain a multitude of transverse slits on their surface. As a result, the contact patch has a large number of sharp edges of adhesion at any given time, guaranteeing high efficiency of acceleration, especially on slippery surfaces.
The shoulder zones of the tread also have a reinforced design. Like the longitudinal ribs of the central part of the tread, the shoulder zones are divided by transverse drainage channels into separate blocks. At the same time, the blocks of the shoulder zones are arranged transversely relative to the direction of movement, which makes it possible to ensure the highest efficiency of braking. Moreover, the high degree of stiffness of these tread elements significantly improved the handling characteristics, especially during aggressive driving.
It is also worth noting the rounded profile of the shoulder zones of the tread, with a small radius. Thanks to this solution, it was possible to ensure both a large contact patch area and its rectangular shape, which promotes optimal load distribution and, as a result, led to a more uniform wear of the tread.
Exceptional reliability and safety in rainy conditions
This model provides a high level of safety when driving at very high speeds, both in dry and wet conditions. To a large extent, this was achieved due to the tire's exceptional resistance to aquaplaning. The tread pattern of the Pirelli PZero Silver tire has a fairly simple but very effective drainage system, consisting of three longitudinal and multiple transverse water drainage channels. The main volume of water accumulates mainly in the three longitudinal grooves and is then directed through the multiple transverse channels of the shoulder zones of the tread to the outside.
New rubber compound
As mentioned earlier, the gray color marking of racing tires means that the tread is made of a rubber compound that is distinguished by its highest degree of stiffness and resistance to wear. For the civilian model, which is the PZero Silver, the rubber compound has undergone a number of improvements, perfectly adapting the tread to operation on ordinary roads. The result of these improvements was a rubber compound that achieved an ideal balance between optimal elasticity and stiffness, while ensuring excellent tread wear resistance.
Main features of the Pirelli PZero Silver passenger tire
- The high-tech asymmetric design of the directional tread pattern was obtained as a result of technologies previously used only in the creation of tires for Formula 1;
- The optimized contact patch provides excellent traction and handling at high speeds, as well as uniform pressure distribution across it, ensuring uniform tread wear;
- Three solid ribs in the central part of the tread with a large number of edges of adhesion provide excellent traction and handling characteristics in any conditions;
- The reinforced shoulder zones are characterized by a high degree of stiffness, which has introduced sports features into the handling characteristics, as well as clarity of reactions to steering;
- The solid structure of all five longitudinal ribs made it possible to achieve exceptionally low rolling resistance values;
- The rubber compound, created using Formula 1 technologies, is distinguished by an ideal balance between stiffness and elasticity, while also ensuring excellent tread wear resistance.