Pirelli: increasingly sustainable tyres thanks to innovative technologies
We spoke about it with Francesco Sala Pirelli’s executive vice president Region Europe
The all-season tire market continues to grow, pushing tire manufacturers to invest in this specific range of products. Pirelli is well aware of this, and at the beginning of February, the Cinturato All Season SF2 was launched. A concentration of technology, starting with an "adaptive tread", that maximizes, as the company points out, safety and versatility. And that's not all. The Cinturato All Season SF2 is also available with Pirelli seal inside and run-flat technologies (allowing motorists to continue their journey even in the event of a puncture), and with elect specifications for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. The new tire is available in 65 sizes (from 15 to 20 inches) dedicated to modern urban cars, the latest models of crossover utility vehicles and mid-size sedans. M+S and 3PMSF symbols grace the sidewalls, which indicates that the new Cinturato is perfectly at ease in winter conditions - certified by the tests required by European legislation - and complies with the traffic regulations currently in force in several European countries. Pirelli says that the new Cinturato all-season tire is suitable for motorists who use their cars mainly in the city, live in regions other than the Alps with temperatures typical of temperate climates, and drive around 25,000 km per year. In fact, in a tire of this kind the tread and the compound are the result of a precise balance designed to work both at high and low temperatures, on wet and dry roads, delivering good performance and versatility. Compared to the previous Cinturato All Season Plus, Pirelli engineers have introduced a number of improvements. The new generation adaptive tread compound guarantees low rolling resistance and lower fuel consumption, not to mention greater mileage for electric vehicles in the case of tires with elect technology. This generates benefits in terms of environmental sustainability and earns a “B” rating for rolling resistance for most of the Cinturato All Season SF2 range.
Adaptive Tread
The tire's performance in different driving conditions and climatic conditions stems from the use of new materials in the compound and an optimized tread pattern. When driving in winter and in low temperatures, the sipes of the tread stay open to promote better braking on snow, while when braking is required on dry or wet roads they close, increasing the stiffness of the tread blocks and generating greater grip on the road surface. Such adaptive behaviour must be ascribed to the tire’s 3D sipes, which, thanks to their ability to close and compact, transform a winter tread into a summer tire, allowing the driver to have suitable control in all conditions. In addition, the design of the progressive grooves on the shoulders, combined with a continuous central groove, displace water effectively reducing the risk of aquaplaning. The tread’s dual compound, soft and adaptable in cold and wet conditions, rigid and stable in dry conditions, stems from the use of dual-phase polymeric materials chemically bonded to silica particles, a solution that ensures low rolling resistance, lower fuel consumption and longer battery life.
Seal inside and run flat technology
The Cinturato All Season SF2 comes, in some specific sizes, with innovative seal inside technology, which limits air leaks, even in the event of a puncture. The sealing mastic inside the tire wraps around the object from the moment it penetrates the tire preventing air from escaping and the consequent loss of pressure. Once the object is extracted, the mastic seals over the hole. In addition, Pirelli's self-supporting run flat option is also available in the event of a puncture. This solution maintains the car stable in the event of a sudden loss of pressure, allowing it to travel for 80 km at a maximum speed of 80 km/h. These tires, thanks to specific reinforcements integrated in the sidewalls, can withstand lateral and transversal loads even with low tire pressure.
Pirelli Elect
The Cinturato All Season SF2 Elect is available for electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids: this is a package of technologies that feature a compound, structure and tread designed to guarantee low rolling resistance, greater mileage, and a reduced noise level, while the high power and torque values typical of electric cars can take advantage of the tire’s superior grip.
