Pirelli Equips New Porsche 911 GTS

Tyre technology has advanced significantly over the years but has had to evolve further since the introduction of much heavier electric and hybrid vehicles with an increased load being placed on each tyre.

With this in mind, Pirelli have developed the P Zero R tyre with the help of their research and development centre simulator to enhance the performance of the innovative hybrid powertrain.

Pirelli P Zero tyres are already fitted to the entire Porsche 911 range and so it’s no surprise that Pirelli P Zero can now be found on the very first hybrid-powered variant: the new Porsche 911 GTS.

This newly developed bespoke version of the P Zero R, balances sportiness together with everyday usability. Pirelli has also developed a complimentary dedicated winter tyre, the P Zero Winter for the car. Both tyres feature the famous N marking on the sidewall, which indicates their specific development for Porsche, a joint effort to create the ‘perfect fit’ tyre for every Porsche 911 variant.

This is the first time that the P Zero R is available as original equipment on the Porsche 911 GTS. Specifically designed to enhance the car’s dynamic qualities and driving pleasure, the tyres give the driver the optimal balance between performance and versatility. The excellent grip that the tyre provides on a wide range of surfaces and in all sorts of weather conditions, is down to a newly designed compound. In the wet the tread pattern reduces noise for improved comfort while low rolling resistance ensures optimal efficiency so that the Posche’s performance can still be used.

Even in wintery conditions, the P Zero Winter tyre still allows you the use the car’s sporty high performance. With its directional tread pattern, this special winter tyre improves both wet and snow grip compared to its predecessor, while also enhancing braking and handling on dry surfaces which can be attributed to its uniform stiffness and grip.

This new tyre for the Porsche 911 GTS was developed by Pirelli’s research and development team using advanced technologies at the Virtual Development Centre (VDC) in Breuberg, Germany. The facility allowed Pirelli to reduce the development time by 30 per cent and reduce the number of physical prototypes produced by 30 per cent.

This joint development of the P Zero R with Porsche is the latest milestone in the long-standing collaboration between the two companies. Pirelli has achieved 338 homologations for all Porsche models, including their SUVs, sedans and sports cars. It has included internal combustion engines (ICE), hybrid as well as electric (BEV) powertrains.

Author Bio:

Simon Burrell is a UK-based motoring and travel journalist and editor, a member of the Guild of Motoring Writers and former saloon car racing driver.

Photograph courtesy of Pirelli