The Silver P Zero name of a limited edition of the tire
P Zero Silver is the name of a limited edition of tires that extend the range of P Zero with a new construction based on experience gained in the development of F1 tires, Pirelli asserts itself. In fact shares name with the harder tire available for the cars this season with five options: three different types of slicks with hard rain tires and two that retrieve the name Contralto.
Returning to the road tire, the P Zero Silver has been built using both new material and new design processes to get a tire to obtain high performance on road and also last for many miles, over 20,000 per year. Structurally characterized by having a tread composed of a harder and softer compounds flanks.
The P Zero Silver are only available for tire sizes 19 or 20 “and measures ranging from 225/35 ZR19 and 265/30 ZR20. We speak respectively of a PVP unit between 326.5 and 552 Euros.
When a test that combines road, highway and city with a car that has not led, and I also refer to the specific unit, it is difficult to draw any conclusions minimally objective of the tires as there are a number of factors (mechanical own vehicle, regularity of the layout, temperature, etc.) that may affect the measurements.
Still other aspects can be appreciated. The tour of this dynamic test took us from Jerez to Seville city center with a Mercedes CLS 350 auto, combining the above three types of paths for a distance of approximately 160 kilometers. The tires behaved as one might expect from any quality tire with the added grip remarkable show and that the noise was very smooth running.
The first of the two tests we did was as simple as a small circular loop, of about 1.2 km long, completely wet. So simple but with a couple of extras: a curve with a substantial excess of water, two chicanes and cones made with an area of water jets that pointed directly to the windshield.
The chosen car, an Audi TT 1.8 TFSI 160 hp front-wheel drive, traction control off – the ESP still active – and wheels with Pirelli P Zero Silver. From there the goal was simple: four laps to mini circuit and try to move as quickly as possible, draining from the engine braking at all times.
Only four laps we each but enough to easily verify that in such circumstances the car was behaving well face the chicane at high speed cornering or turning quickly without suffering under steer or overseer outside the temporary help that came from the ESP. I.e., the grip provided was high particularly in terms of lateral displacement and braking were short even when the amount of water to clear the asphalt was considerable.
To finish the job we perform a test on a circuit segment a little larger, about 1.7 kilometers, which was completely dry. Was to make a short drive, similar to above, with a brief “chicane” and several fairly closed curves which try to take advantage of the car in question. Just had to fight against the clock as fast as he could without ending up in the sand.
In this case the choice was a Volkswagen Sirocco 2.0 TFSI with 200 hp and two different transmissions, and manual or DSG. With the manual gearbox, which one is more used, combine good accuracy changes with the turns more complicated while the DSG, Sport automatic mode, one can focus more on the turns. To test alternate between a change and another with very different feelings.
Usually one is more used to working rushing a car with manual, the “automatic” our brain allows us to focus more on the road but that happens when we move on in a stream. In a circuit if it is to steal tenths the clock not rush the relationship of change and also be well managed accelerations (front and 200 hp turbo is synonymous with loss of traction), braking, cornering, etc…
With the DSG in “manual” mode, i.e. with the cams, lowered the game with the pedals but increased on the wheel. Personally I’m not used to drive the cams so in this case my times were worse than for the manual. Manual or automatic car subviradoras trends behaved as expected, and repeated the strengths cited in the case of the wet test: a very broad lateral grip and high overall grip allowing quick breaking without the wheels llamas the appointment to the ABS.
These two tests serve not only to enjoy a good morning in circuit but also to verify that these Pirelli tires are also a good option to go out on track but there are better tires ready. At least that’s the impression I have with this combination of tires, cars and tracks.
And for road, city and day to day? They are a good option as long as he will demand something more to the car because otherwise the price is a negative factor.
The duration indicated by Pirelli is extra difficult to get anything done because the test did not cover long enough to be able to say something about it.
