Pirelli introduced the P Zero Trofeo RS, the newest version of the 'semi-slick' tire designed to highlight the performance of automakers' most sporty models. Pagani Automobili was the first manufacturer to request a specific version of the new tire for its latest hypercar, the Utopia.
Born as a technical evolution of the P Zero Trofeo R, the new tire also stands out with its market position. While the P Zero Trofeo R was originally designed as a tire to improve track performance, the P Zero Trofeo RS was developed specifically as original equipment, allowing manufacturers to offer cars ready to deliver a sporty driving experience. These new generation 'semi-slick' tires from Pirelli offer even higher performance and greater consistency on dry roads. In the most intensive use of the tire, higher speed and safety can be achieved by maintaining the performance for a longer period of time in very different track conditions. This result is achieved thanks to Pirelli's extensive experience in the most important categories of motorsport. The materials used, especially in the tread compound, take advantage of this know-how and enable the tire to adapt to driving both on the road and on the amateur track. As the tire is homologated as original equipment for hypercars and supercars, Pirelli engineers also focused on safety in wet asphalt conditions.
A tire with optional technologies
Pirelli's R&D department was able to apply various innovative technologies developed through the company's many years of motorsport experience to the P Zero Trofeo RS tyre. These technologies are offered as optional options to meet the goals that manufacturers have defined for each specific model. For example, with the multi-compound tread technology, tires can be matched with different tread compounds in Pirelli's Prestige catalogue, allowing them to be customized to complement the specific features of each car. For Pagani Utopia, P Zero Trofeo RS tires were requested, while increasing the extreme sporty driving performance compared to the P Zero Corsa, without compromising the stability of the car or the driver's experience. This mission was accomplished thanks to specially selected doughs. Especially for the rear tires, the most performance-oriented compounds were chosen in order to provide speed and safety on the track, convenience and foresight on the road.
Using the virtual geometry development innovation, Pirelli engineers were able to evaluate numerous different profiles and footprints through virtual modeling to describe the response of tires to driver inputs with the highest precision. This virtual development process was used extensively for Pagani Utopia before the first physical prototypes were tested on the track. A lot of work has been done, especially on the contact areas of the tires to the road, in order to offer ideal grip and control.
The new Pirelli P Zero Trofeo RS will initially be available for original equipment cars, but will also be available for other cars in a wider range in the future. The P Zero Trofeo R, on the other hand, will continue to be offered in certain size options.