High performance on the road and track: the Pirelli P Zero Trofeo RS put to the test at Goodwood. Record at the Nürburgring

What is the secret to enjoying yourself on the track in a supercar, achieving consistent performance and making the most of the car’s potential? It’s not just about being a good driver, but above all being able to rely on a set of tyres that can reach operating temperature quickly and exhibit limited, consistent wear. These are the characteristics of the Pirelli P Zero Trofeo RS tyre, a semi-slick designed to achieve the best lap times on the track, with highly consistent performance; it is also type-approved for road use, making it suitable for everyday driving.

Developed in collaboration with leading supercar manufacturers, and having set several records on the Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit in cars such as the Porsche Taycan, BMW M2 and Xiaomi SU7 Ultra, it is now available not only as original equipment. In other words: it can be fitted during the first tyre change on your high-performance car. To test it, we headed to the Goodwood circuit in the UK, where we were able to gauge its potential on a range of cars including the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4, BMW M3 and M4.

Testing a high-performance tyre on the track over a session of around 25 laps across four different cars can leave you with a number of questions. This is because it is not possible to make comparisons with other tyres tested on the same circuit and, above all, as in the case of the Goodwood Motor Circuit, it was the first time we had driven on it.

What was clear from the outset, however, is that the Pirelli P Zero Trofeo RS is the ‘obvious solution’ for those seeking a tyre with truly exceptional grip, yet one that offers a level of usability unmatched by most semi-slick tyres. Initially tested on a Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 – a mid-engined, rear-wheel-drive coupé with 420 bhp at 7,600 rpm, torque of 420–430 Nm and a kerb weight of around 1,500 kg – we were impressed by how quickly the tyre came up to temperature. After the first lap, driven at a moderate speed to familiarise ourselves with the track – characterised by high-speed running with corners taken at 100% throttle and several heavy braking points – the P Zero Trofeo RS confirmed what the Pirelli engineers had said. Taking care to avoid running two tyres onto the grass, given the very limited run-off areas, lap after lap we were surprised by the consistency of performance and the low level of degradation. A tyre such as the Pirelli P Zero Trofeo RS is developed starting with simulator tests at the Research and Development Centre in Bicocca, Milan, which allows new products to be developed virtually; the new sizes are produced using MIRS (Modular Integrated Robot System) robots and the most advanced innovations dedicated to the production of ultra-high-performance tyres. MIRS technology is in use at the Italian plant in Settimo Torinese and at the US plant in Rome, Georgia, where production of the new replacement tyre range for the American market is concentrated, particularly for sports cars and muscle cars from local manufacturers.

Furthermore, fitted with Pirelli P Zero Trofeo RS tyres, a Porsche Taycan Turbo GT with a Manthey kit set a record at the Nürburgring in the EV category. Fitted with semi-slicks specially developed by Pirelli, the Stuttgart-built sports car completed the lap in 6 minutes 55 seconds: the fastest time ever recorded by a production electric car, breaking the 7-minute barrier for the first time. It is the first ultra-high-performance tyre, composed of over 50% natural and recycled materials, to feature in a record-breaking lap at the Ring. The tyre incorporates Elect technology, designed to enhance the performance and specific characteristics of electrified vehicles.