Pirelli introduces Scorpion winter tyre

ERJ staff report (TB)

Rome, Georgia -- Pirelli Tire North America Inc. is launching a winter version of its Scorpion high-performance tyre geared toward giving high-performance SUVs and crossover vehicles the control, comfort and reliability that sports car tyres offer.

The Scorpion Winter tyre features improved safety under braking and cornering, based on development that took place over three years with 186,400 miles of testing on circuits and normal roads in Oceania and Europe. Pirelli reports it collaborated closely with car manufacturers, like Porsche A.G. and Volkswagen A.G., which worked closely with Pirelli offering information and technology with the needs of range-topping vehicles.

The Scorpion Winter offers fuel savings of up to 4 percent and a reduction in external noise generation of 3 decibels vs. the previous generation tyre, Pirelli said.

The tyre's directional tread pattern, new polymer compounds and V-shaped tread grooves offer improved traction and braking on snow and wet surfaces, Pirelli said, as well as precise grip and turn-in, especially on downhill bends.

Scorpion Winter, including a run-flat version, will be available the North American market this fall. Scorpion Winter tyres will be available in 21 sizes ranging from 16 to 21 inches in rim diameter.

Pirelli also will offer the Carving Edge tyre, a studdable winter tyre equipped with new sizes to go into the Canadian market in the near future.

From Tire Business (A Crain publication)