A technological collaboration that sees Pirelli and Porsche also involved in further joint development projects for classic models

Milan, 15 October 2025. Pirelli offers tyres for classics and youngtimer Porsche 911, from the first 1964 model to the Porsche 911 (type 997). This breadth of offering makes Pirelli the go-to supplier for Porsche collectors, thanks in part to the Collezione range for numerous other classic Porsche models, such as the 356, 914, 928 and 944. These tyres are designed specifically for the cars they equip, preserving the original aesthetics while using modern materials and technologies, to offer maximum safety and compliance with currently applicable regulations.

"Our collaboration with Porsche about tyres for classic Porsche models demonstrates how tradition and innovation can successfully coexist. Our Research and Development departments work together in a consolidated manner to create dedicated tyres that allow classic Porsche models to continue travelling safely and efficiently. It's a relationship that is constantly renewed", said Mario Isola, Pirelli Motorsport Director.

"Preserving the heritage of our old- and young timers by ensuring the availability of premium spare parts is a matter of dedication for us. Together with Pirelli’s renowned expertise, we’ve been able to further enhance our offering of high-performance tires for our classic cars", says Ulrike Lutz, Director for Classic at Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG.

PIRELLI COLLEZIONE: CLASSIC TYRES ON THE OUTSIDE, MODERN ON THE INSIDE

As a testament to the joint development between the Pirelli and Porsche Reasearch and Development departments, the tyres bear the "N" marking on the sidewall: the symbol applied on all tyres that have been specifically approved and tested by Porsche. The Collezione range aims to preserve the historic automotive heritage, combining technical innovation with aesthetic fidelity. This is maintained thanks to the contribution of the Pirelli Foundation, which preserves, among other documents, the designs and specificities of historic tyres in an archive of approximately 4 linear kilometers of materials on Pirelli's history, from 1872 to the present day.

FROM THE CINTURATO CN36 TO THE P ZERO, THE EVOLUTION OF THE 911

The history of the Porsche 911 began at the 1963 International Motor Show Germany (IAA) in Frankfurt, where it was introduced as the "Porsche 901," the successor to the Porsche 356. A few years later, the production versions were equipped with the Cinturato CN36, the first Pirelli sports car tyre to use steel belts. Ten years after its debut and following the release of numerous versions, the Porsche 911 evolved into the G model, which gave rise to the 911 Turbo. This model was equipped with the Cinturato P7, a tyre originally developed for rally races and later a successful product in the road range. It was the first ultra-low-profile tyre to be introduced to the market. Its main feature was its lower sidewall relative to the tread width with a previously unseen aspect ratio, which significantly increased grip when cornering. Subsequent generations adopted the P Zero Rosso, designed to offer the perfect balance between high performance, comfort, and low noise, ensuring safe sporty driving even at high speeds. In 2005, the sixth generation arrived, the Porsche 911 (type 997), for which the P Zero is also available. Further joint development projects are also underway to develop new tyres for classic Porsche models.

Published on: 15 October 2025, 12:02 CET

THE P ZERO FOR THE LANCIA DELTA S4 STRADALE

To mark the fortieth anniversary of the P Zero line, as well as the Lancia Delta S4 Stradale, Pirelli has recreated, in a limited edition of 40 sets, the Pirelli P Zero that debuted in 1985 on what was the road version of a motorsport icon like the Lancia Delta S4 Group B.

The tyre was born of Pirelli's experience in competition and was derived from the radial tyres that the Milanese company supplied to car manufacturers competing in the World Rally Championship. Today, it is available in the 205/55 R16 size - the only one originally developed – of the Pirelli Collezione line, dedicated to iconic vehicles built between 1930 and 2000. Like every tyre in this range, it is distinguished by its appearance, the same as that of the era, but is made with modern materials and technologies that combine the original sportiness of the car with greater safety.

The re-edition of the tyre also features the innovative elements that characterized its debut. It features a single tread that combines the three souls of the racing tire: the inner shoulder, with grooves like wet-weather tyres, ensured grip on wet roads. The outer shoulder, inspired by slick tyres, provided traction in dry conditions. The central part of the tread adopted some of the hallmarks of intermediate tyres, balancing the two extremes.

THE FIFTH GENERATION

Pirelli recently introduced the fifth generation of P Zero, creating a product that, also in this iteration, continues to satisfy the evolving needs of high-end mobility. Among the characteristics of the new tyre, improved handling and reduced braking distance obtained thanks to virtual development techniques and artificial intelligence. The fifth generation of P Zero offers a range between 18 and 23 inches, with over 50 products already available that add to the others in the P Zero family to provide complete coverage of the premium and prestige market in all its applications.

Published on: 18 June 2025, 11:30 CET

Introducing the Cinturato P7 for the Ferrari GTO

The Ferrari GTO, a pioneering Ferrari supercar, marks its 40th anniversary this year. To celebrate, Ferrari hosted an exclusive tour for GTO owners, driving from the scenic Dolomite Mountains to the home of Ferrari in Maranello. It was during this tour that the newly developed Cinturato P7 from the Pirelli Collezione range made its road debut. Pirelli Collezione is a range of tyres designed for the world’s most iconic classic and modern classic cars, combining vintage looks with contemporary know-how. Originally developed for the 1974 World Rally Championship and then introduced as a road-going tyre in 1976, the Cinturato P7 was the very first ultra-low profile product, offering enhanced cornering grip thanks to its innovative low sidewall height compared to the tread width. For the Ferrari GTO, this tyre returns in its original size (225/50 R16 at the front and 265/50 R16 at the back), blending vintage design with modern materials and technology – as is the case for all the tyres in the Collezione range.

P Zero Tyres for the Ferrari F40, F50, and Enzo

Pirelli's collaboration with Ferrari continued in 1987 with the launch of the Ferrari F40, which continued the tradition of the GTO and was the first production car to feature Pirelli’s iconic P Zero tyres as original equipment that same year. This tyre introduced a revolutionary 17-inch rim size, previously unseen on any road car, as well as cutting-edge technologies that allowed the F40 to exceed 300 kph. Today, the Pirelli Collezione range includes a specific P Zero for the F40, in 245/40 R17 size at the front and 335/35 R17 at the rear.

For its successor – the Ferrari F50 unveiled at the 1995 Geneva Motor Show – Pirelli developed bespoke tyres based on the P Zero Corsa System, in 245/35 R18 size at the front and 335/30 R18 at the rear. This tyre was introduced in the early 2000s as the most sporting in the road-going range, with a specific structure that delivered maximum stability at high speed and while cornering, allowing it to also be used on the track.

Most recently, Pirelli introduced a new P Zero Corsa System tyre for the Ferrari Enzo into the Collezione range: in 245/35 R19 size at the front and 345/35 R19 at the rear. Developed along with Ferrari’s own test drivers, this latest tyre offers the same sporty handling as when the car was new but with improved safety and reliability, thanks to the latest tyre compound technology.

From classic to modern

Pirelli has been a constant presence throughout the evolution of Ferrari’s supercars: from the classic GTO to the most modern models. These includes the 2013 LaFerrari and the 2016 LaFerrari Aperta, both of which were originally equipped with Pirelli’s P Zero Corsa Asimmetrico 2 tyres: an ultra high performance product within the P Zero range. The P Zero name has been synonymous with the most extreme and prestigious cars over the last 40 years, as well as with motorsport. This technology cascade starts with the open-air laboratory that is Formula 1, which transfers onto the road innovations that were originally developed on the race track.

Published on: 7 October 2024, 11:38 CET

STELLA BIANCA CELEBRATES NEARLY 100 YEARS OF HISTORY, HAVING RACED IN FORMULA 1 AND NOW EQUIPPING CARS FROM THE FIRST HALF OF THE LAST CENTURY

4 September 2023 – A total of 10,400 kilometres were driven on Pirelli’s Stella Bianca tyres – a reissue of the 1927 originals – with a car dating back to 1929 on a road trip to the most northerly point in Europe, without the need for a tyre change. The epic journey was undertaken by a 1929 OM 665 Superba on Collezione tyres, a range dedicated to historic collector cars from the 1920s to today. Setting off from Poggibonsi near Siena, the car driven by its owner Gianni Morandi and co-driver Marco Morosinotto, officially started its odyssey from Pirelli’s HQ in Milan. It arrived in Norway’s North Cape following a 15-day trip, returning to Italy after another two weeks. The whole adventure was undertaken using scenic routes, without a single kilometre of motorway. This was a landmark journey for Pirelli’s Stella Bianca tyre, which has exactly the same vintage look as the original, but now uses materials and technologies that ensure greater safety.

FROM TUSCANY TO THE NORTH CAPE AND BACK

The challenge lasted 28 days, covering 10,400 kilometres and approximately 190 hours of driving through some of Europe’s most breathtaking landscapes. En route, the crew navigated a range of challenging terrains that included steep climbs, descents, and above all  constantly changing asphalt conditions, from dry and rough to wet and slippery. Behind the wheel of his OM 665 Superba, capable of reaching a top speed of 120kph and maintaining an average speed of 80-90kph, the Tuscan collector experienced the full spectrum of European climates. Starting in the heat of Tuscany, he journeyed through the cooler regions of Denmark and Norway, where temperatures dropped to as low as 10 degrees centigrade. After reaching the North Cape – the northernmost point of Europe – the intrepid travellers embarked on the return leg, driving through Finland, Sweden, and Germany with a stop at the Driver centre in Frankfurt: a prominent Pirelli tyre dealership.

VISITING THE PIRELLI SOTTOZERO CENTER IN SWEDISH LAPLAND

A highlight of the journey was the stop at Pirelli’s renowned proving ground in Swedish Lapland: the Pirelli Sottozero Center. Here, the OM 665 Superba took to the track, completing several laps in both dry and wet conditions. The Sottozero proving ground covers 120 hectares, with 250.000 square metres dedicated to a varied range of circuits and 1.300 square metres of other infrastructure. It features handling tracks, a variety of different surfaces for objective tests, and slopes of up to 20%. The facility plays a crucial role in the development of Pirelli's winter and all season tyres, making  the most of the region's unique winter conditions. However, the facility can be used all year round as well.

THE HISTORY OF PIRELLI’S STELLA BIANCA TYRES

The Pirelli Stella Bianca was born in 1927 as a cross ply tyre, which at the time was a real innovation in terms of performance and technology. It remained part of the range for decades, becoming Pirelli’s most enduring tread pattern design. The ‘Stella Bianca’ name – which means ‘White Star’ in English – was also a symbol of the golden age of motorsport. This tyre was used at the highest levels of motorised competition, which just like today, was a test bed for road car products. It’s no coincidence that the very first Formula 1 race, which took place at Silverstone in 1950, was won by the legendary Giuseppe Farina driving an Alfa Romeo on Pirelli Stella Bianca tyres.

Published on: 4 September 2024, 12:00 CET

P ZERO CORSA SYSTEM FOR THE FERRARI ENZO

For the Ferrari Enzo, the extreme sports car that dates from 2002, Pirelli has created a new P Zero Corsa System in 245/35 R19 size for the front and 345/35 R19 size for the rear. Like all tyres in the Collezione range, this product has an identical appearance to the original but is made with modern materials and technologies. Designed in the early 2000s to be the sportiest of the road range, it has a specific structure that gives it maximum stability at high speeds and when cornering, allowing it to also be used on the track. The two different tread designs, directional for the front and asymmetric for the rear, also reduce the phenomenon of aquaplaning. The new tyre was tested using Ferrari test drivers, who rediscovered the same sporty character of the time, now combined with greater safety and reliability thanks to the use of the most up-to-date compounds.

The P Zero Corsa System tyres from the Collezione range are also available, in 245/35 R18 size for the front and 335/30 R18 at the rear  for the Ferrari F50, described at the time as the road car closest to a Formula 1 racer that Maranello had ever built.

P ZERO FOR THE FERRARI F40

The ancestor of the F50 and the Enzo was the Ferrari F40, the first mass-produced car to use Pirelli P Zero as original equipment in 1987. Developed specifically for the car, this tyre brought in some important innovations: a rim size of 17 inches, unprecedented for a road car, different sizes on front and rear and technology dedicated to a car with a maximum speed of over 300kph. Now a version of the P Zero dedicated to the F40 is available in the Pirelli Collezione range in  245/40 R17 size for the front and 335/35 R17 at the rear. Among the main innovations of this version is the lettering on the side of the tyre which recalls the original script.

PIRELLI P ZERO: PERFORMANCE, INNOVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY

From the Ferrari F40 to the latest generation supercars, the P Zero range has been a constant. It tells a story of innovation and technology that is linked to the most prestigious and extreme cars of the last four decades and to motorsport, starting with Formula 1: an open-air technology transfer laboratory from track to road. Over time, the range has evolved according to the needs of the automotive market, which has become increasingly interested in performance, safety, and sustainability: now including electric mobility. Pirelli's Elect marking, denoting tyres made specifically for electrified cars, made its debut on a P Zero in 2019.

The family has recently been renewed with three new models presented at the 2023 Goodwood Festival of Speed: the P Zero E, P Zero R and P Zero Trofeo RS. All of these tyres were developed with Pirelli's "Eco-Safety Design" approach: a methodology that uses innovative materials as well as tools that include virtualisation, derived from the company's experience in motorsport.

Published on: 8 May 2024, 17:42 CET

THE TYRE WITH “EARS”

In the early 1980s, Pirelli was asked to develop a very special tyre for a very special car: the Lamborghini LM002, which was the forebear of all sporting SUVs. Scorpion BK covers were produced specifically for this vehicle: enormous tyres complete with lateral winglets, known as ‘ears’, which gave the car extra agility and response on sand. This tyre, as well as offering fantastic roadholding, had to work in high temperatures typical of the desert, as well as sustain the weight of the car (at around 3500 kilograms) and cope with the speed of the V12 engine while also guaranteeing sporting performance on asphalt. As a result, these tyres were made using an extremely robust carcass, with anti-cut reinforcement in aramid, which was also able to absorb impacts and react quicker to sudden inputs.

The Scorpion BK, subjected to additional strength tests and developed using rally-derived techniques, was one of Pirelli’s first examples of race to road technology transfer. The tread pattern design actually derived from the intermediate ‘Monte Carlo’ tread pattern cut into the rally slick tyres of the time, and many of the technologies within the BK also came from motorsport, where Pirelli had already claimed several world titles. It’s no coincidence that Pirelli equipped a number of cars with Scorpion tyres on the 1988 Paris-Dakar Rally, including the Lamborghini LM002.

The presentation of the recreated tyre took place at Fuori Concorso in Villa Sucota on Lake Como, equipping the LM002 of a private collector with the ‘new’ Scorpion BK, supported by the Lamborghini Polo Storico.

THE FIRST IN THE SCORPION LINE

The Pirelli Scorpion BK was the forerunner of the Scorpion family, the range of Pirelli tyres dedicated to Sport Utility Vehicles. The entire range was renewed in 2022 to suit the most modern cars, including electrified models. The Scorpion family in fact has the most homologations for electric or plug-in hybrid cars out of the entire Pirelli range. Pirelli applied its ‘Eco Safety’ design approach to the new Scorpion, which combines low environmental impact with optimal performance when it comes to driving safety, thanks to materials innovation and the use of cutting-edge virtual design tools in the development process.

PIRELLI TYRES FOR LAMBORGHINI’S SUVs

From the LM002 to the Urus, Lamborghini’s lineage of SUVs has one element in common: Pirelli tyres. When the Urus made its debut in 2018, Pirelli introduced six different tyres, from 21 to 23 inches in size, ranging from the P Zero to the Scorpion. A bespoke version of the P Zero Trofeo R was designed for the most recent Urus Performante: the first time that semi-slick tyres have been seen on an SUV. This combination of car performance and tyre grip culminated in a class victory on the legendary Pikes Peak hillclimb in the United States.

Published on: 21 June 2023, 13:48 CET

 CLASSIC TYRES OUTSIDE, MODERN TYRES INSIDE

For the Sport Spider and Sport Coupé versions of the Fiat 850 and Fiat 124, Pirelli has recreated the Cinturato CA67 in 155 R13 size and the Cinturato CN36 in 165 R13 size respectively. In keeping with Pirelli Collezione tradition, the latest versions of the Cinturato reflect the origins of the original tyre that was launched between the 1950s and 1960s. The classic appearance of the tyre is maintained, while also featuring modern technology inside. Thanks to newly developed compounds, Pirelli Collezione tyres have better grip in the wet compared to the tyres of the time, ensuring reliability and greater safety. The technical characteristics that inspired the Pirelli engineers to make these tyres are also in line with those defined by the original vehicle designers and – thanks to the contribution of the Pirelli Foundation, which maintains all the original drawings and designs – originality is conserved with these classically-style tyres. The Foundation boasts an extensive heritage archive of approximately four kilometres of materials, dating all the way back to 1872.

CN36, A NEW SIZE PREVIEWED AT THE SHOW IN PADOVA

Pirelli’s Cinturato was the flagship product of the tyre revolution of the 1950s, characterised by a radial carcass with crossed textile belts, leading to the birth of the sports tyre. The CN36 in particular was designed to keep High Performance and Gran Turismo (GT) cars glued to the road. It also recorded a number of important victories in rallying, equipping the Fiat 124 Sport in 1971. Today, it not only returns to the Fiat 124 range, but from 2023 it will also be available in the new 195/70R14 size. This tyre will be previewed at a special exhibition on the Fratelli Rossi distributor stand at the upcoming “Auto e Moto d’Epoca” show in Padova, an essential fixture on the classic motoring calendar for many years.

PIRELLI AND BORRANI, AN ENDURING PARTNERSHIP

As Pirelli continues to mark its 150^th anniversary, it will also be present at the Padova fair alongside Ruote Borrani, a Milan-based company celebrating its centenary in 2022, which is famous for its wire wheels. The two companies go back a long way, with more than 80 years of history being shared between Pirelli and Ruote Borrani. In the Borrani exhibition, a special Pirelli tyre with Borrani rims used for high-speed tracks on 1930s Grand Prix cars will be on display, with both wheel and tyre being genuine artefacts from the era.

For the little ones, but not only, the Ferrari Testa Rossa J – a scale replica of the original 250 Testa Rossa – will be exhibited: the result of a collaboration with The Little Car Company, which specialises in miniature recreations. The mini car is fitted with Pirelli Cinturato CN54 tyres and can be driven from 14 years of age. On the walls will be a display of photographs from the historical archive kept in the Pirelli Foundation. For an even more engaging experience, two digital insights will be available to visit: one dedicated to Pirelli and Borrani, while the second traces the long history of Pirelli research and innovation through the www.pirellibuildsthefuture.org web platform.

Published on: 20 October 2022, 15:49 CET

THE CINTURATO CN12 FOR THE 1971 LP500

Pirelli, which has worked with Lamborghini since 1963, remade the tyres used for the LP500 prototype, which wore unique Cinturato CN12 covers when it was first displayed at the Geneva Motor Show. This was the very first low profile tyre, already used by the legendary Miura with different measures. Pirelli developed a specific version of this tyre for the LP500, with a height to width ratio of 0.6: the lowest that had ever been seen at the time. The tyres themselves were in 245/60 R14 size at the front and 265/60 R14 size at the rear: exactly the same dimensions used for today’s reconstructed version. The tread pattern design is identical too, while the compound and structure use the latest modern technology to offer more safety than was available at the time.

The revival of the Countach LP500, making its debut at the famous Villa d’Este Concours, was carried out by Lamborghini’s heritage division, which put in more than 25,000 hours of work to bring the dream of one the marque’s most dedicated collectors to life. The Lamborghini Countach became an instant classic, launching a series of immediately recognisable design cues that would go on to characterise the cars from the 1970s to now.

THE P ZERO RANGE: HIGH PERFORMANCE TYRES FOR EVERY MODERN LAMBORGHINI

The historic collaboration between Pirelli and Lamborghini – two Italian companies – can be defined as a continuous process of mutual technical innovation that has continued relentlessly over the decades. From the very first Lamborghini models, which used tyres from the Cinturato family, the story continues to the present day, with every modern Lamborghini wearing the latest Ultra High Performance (UHP) P Zero tyres, uniting Pirelli’s experience in the world’s most prestigious motorsport championships with an ongoing collaboration involving the very best carmakers. Lamborghini’s range is constantly evolving, which means that Pirelli continues to develop bespoke tyres to match the demanding performance characteristics of every model: from the P Zero and P Zero Corsa for the coupés, spyders, and roadsters, to the Scorpion for the Urus SUV.

THE PAST AND THE FUTURE IN PIRELLI’S COLLEZIONE TYRES

The Pirelli Collezione family has a mission to preserve as well as promote automotive history, combining vintage looks with modern technology and production processes for better efficiency and safety. Pirelli’s Collezione tyres guarantee quality materials and a safe structure that can only be achieved with the help of the latest tyre-making techniques. As well as reproducing a classic tread pattern design or vintage lettering, Pirelli’s Collezione tyres also mirror the milestones of period tyre design, such as the cross-ply carcass of the historic Stella Bianca, still produced with machinery based on the know-how of the time. The Collezione range is made up of some truly legendary names: from the iconic Stella Bianca launched in 1927, to the Stelvio, to the more recent Cinturato P7 (1974), P5 (1977), P Zero (1984) and P700-Z (1988). The result of this close collaboration with the world’s most desirable carmakers enhances the original performance of the classic cars that these Collezione tyres are now fitted to.

Pirelli Collezione tyres are available from specialist classic car dealers, as well as from Longstone Tyres and Pirelli’s P Zero World flagship stores in Los Angeles, Munich, Monaco, Dubai and Melbourne.

MORE THAN 3.5 KILOMETRES OF HISTORY AT THE PIRELLI FOUNDATION

To reproduce the tyres showcased in the Pirelli Collezione, it was vital to have access to all the materials used in their development when they were brand new, from design to production. These documents relating to every Pirelli tyre are carefully stored at the Pirelli Foundation: the group’s historical archive. Within it can be found tens of thousands of documents relating to the development of every tyre throughout the last century, as well as the specification of the machinery used to make them, not to mention technical files specifying the size of the moulds for vulcanisation, the design of the tread pattern, and the original markings – with size, type of tyre and company logo – on the sidewall.

The Pirelli Foundation, created in 2008, maintains an archive that’s more than 3.5 kilometres long, covering the history of Pirelli from its inauguration in 1872 until today. The archive also contains all the visual elements used to tell the story such as photographs, sketches and posters, as well as audio and film recordings and corporate magazines. Since 1972, it has been protected by the national cultural heritage department. The Pirelli Foundation hosts several activities that highlight the company’s industrial heritage, including publications, exhibitions and conventions, as well as guided tours. These events involve thousands of people every year, and a key element is education, with courses aimed at schools of every level, all the way up to leading universities. The key aim is to raise awareness of Pirelli’s world even among the youngest students, bringing them closer to the company’s values and culture.

Published on: 1 October 2021, 10:35 CET

A CLASSIC TYRE WITH FUTURE TECHNOLOGY

For all the different versions of the classic Mini (including the cars built under licence by Innocenti) Pirelli has recreated the Cinturato CN54 in 145/70 R12 size, which was originally launched in 1972. This is a radial tyre with a tread pattern design and sidewall that is similar to the original, but packed with modern technology. In particular, this includes the latest compounds to offer increased grip and improved road holding on wet surfaces, guaranteeing reliability and high safety standards without compromising the original style. During the development of this tyre, Pirelli’s engineers worked with same parameters that the original vehicle designers used, to perfectly complement the suspension and chassis settings of the Mini back when it was new. To achieve this, they referred back to original materials and tyre designs housed in the Pirelli Foundation archives in Milan.

PIRELLI AND MINI: A LONG STORY, MADE IN ITALY

Pirelli started the design of a Cinturato tyre for the Mini, with a tread pattern named 367F, back in 1964. One year later, the Mini’s success reached Italy and Innocenti obtained a licence to produce the cars in its Lambrate factory near Milan, with production continuing until 1975. In 1976, Pirelli developed tyres for the Mini 90 in 145/70 SR12 size and Mini 120 in 155/70 SR12 size. For the sporting versions of the car, such as the Innocenti Turbo De Tomaso, Pirelli made its special ‘wide series’: radial tyres with a wider tread pattern and lower sidewalls compared to traditional rubber. In the 1980s, Pirelli made the P3 for city cars – which equipped the entire Mini family including the Red Flame, Check Mate, Studio 2 and Piccadilly special editions. Mini was reborn in 2000 under BMW’s wing, and Pirelli homologated the Eufori@ Run Flat tyre for the new car: a product that was synonymous with reliability as it was able to drive for 150 kilometres at a maximum speed of 80kph even when completely flat, thanks to a special construction able to support the entire car’s weight.

PIRELLI CINTURATO: TECHNOLOGY AND SAFETY

The “fabulous new tyre with its own safety belt inside” was how Pirelli described the Cinturato when it was launched, a tyre that introduced the radial structure and went on to equip the world’s most significant cars for more than 70 years. With the introduction of the Cinturato CA67, CN72 and CN36, Pirelli invented the concept of the sporting tyre for the road – which was needed to provide as much grip as possible for epoch-defining supercars such as the Ferrari 250 GT and 400 Superamerica, Lamborghini 400GT and Miura, Maserati 4000 and 5000. By the mid 1970s, the next big revolution had arrived in the shape of the first Cinturato P7, with its zero-degree nylon belt and a super low profile. The first cars to use it on the road were the Porsche 911 Carrera Turbo, Lamborghini Countach and De Tomaso Pantera. The P7 was followed by the P6 and P5: the predecessors to the P600 and P700 in the 1980s, with improved safety when it came to wet grip and cornering. By the time the 1990s came round, the P6000 and P7000 were on the market, improving safety and performance still further. In 2009, the Cinturato P7 name made a comeback, headlining on its ability to reduce fuel consumption and noxious emissions, as well as its use of ecological materials, plus improved handling and braking. The very latest Pirelli Cinturato P7 is even safer, more efficient and more sustainable, with an intelligent compound that adapts itself to ambient temperatures and driving conditions.

PIRELLI COLLEZIONE

The Pirelli Collezione family was born with the goal of preserving automotive history through tyres that serve a dual yet complementary purpose: maintaining the look and driving feel of the original versions, but improving efficiency and safety thanks to modern technology and production processes. The range is filled legendary names, from the Stella Bianca, first launched in 1927, to the Stelvio, as well as the more recent Cinturato P7 (1974), P5 (1977), P Zero (1984) and P700-Z (1988). The images, plans and other materials supplied by the comprehensive Pirelli Foundation archive played a fundamental role in reproducing these tyres. The Foundation has kept all documents relating to the design, development and production of every Pirelli tyre over the years. Pirelli Collezione tyres are available from specialised classic car tyre dealers, such as Longstone Tyres, as well as from Pirelli’s flagship P Zero World stores in Los Angeles, Munich, Monaco, Dubai and Melbourne.

MINI: AN ICON OF STYLE AND DESIGN SINCE 1959

The Mini Minor 850 was the first model designed from scratch by the British Motor Corporation and it was initially sold by two different brands: Austin and Morris. It had two different names to match: the Austin Seven and Morris Mini-Minor. The car was designed by Alec Issigonis as everyday transport, but its application for motorsport was soon spotted. In 1961 the first Mini Cooper appeared, which triumphed in Rally Monte-Carlo two years later. This was the era in which the ‘minicar’ phenomenon had well and truly arrived in Italy as well, with room for manoeuvre and parking spaces in short supply compared to the number of cars on the road. This caused something of a conceptual re-think of the way cars were designed. Production of the Mini in Italy began with the Mini Minor 850, before moving onto the Cooper 1000 and then eventually the Mk2, Mk3, Mini 1000 and Mini 1001. The Italian versions of the Cooper met with great success, as they offered better trim levels than the British versions at a lower price. As the 1970s approached, British Leyland (the successor to BMC) took two decisions. Firstly, they were going to turn Mini into a distinct stand-alone brand, and secondly a new Mini Clubman luxury version would be introduced. In 1984, there were various mechanical modifications, such as front disc brakes, to keep the car up to date. By 1997, the Mini name had been acquired by BMW. In 2019, Mini celebrated the brand’s 60th anniversary, with the exclusive Mini 60 Years Edition introduced.

Published on: 27 September 2021, 12:25 CET