Pirelli P Zero Cyber Tyre: we tested the tyres connected to the car
The system uses sensors to monitor key data relating to the tyres and driving conditions in order to optimise the operation of the electronic dynamic control systems. Here’s what it does and how it works.
Key points
The Pirelli P Zero range introduces Cyber Tyre technology, which can be fitted to all variants of the Milan-based company’s Ultra High Performance tyre range. The system, currently fitted to the Pagani Utopia Roadster hypercar but attracting interest from many brands – with Aston Martin leading the way to adopt it as soon as possible – transforms the tyres into active sensors to enhance drivability and, above all, safety. On Pirelli’s test track in Vizzola Ticino, we tested the Cyber Tyre system with super-high-performance cars.
Pirelli Cyber Tyre: everything under control, even when everything goes wrong
The tests were carried out using anrear-wheel-drive Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio Verde with 520 cavalli and two Mercedes-AMG GT Coupé 4s with 530 cavalli and all-wheel drive, all fitted with P Zero tyres which were not ideal for the aquaplaning test conditions, traction control on very wet surfaces and emergency braking with ABS.
Let’s start this test with a GT Coupé 4 fitted with P Zero Winter tyres, which are perfectly suited to low ambient and road temperatures, but decidedly out of place on a day when the thermometer reads 38° and the road surface temperature is 61°. The car, which – like the others in these tests – serves as a test bed, offers the option to ‘switch’ the control unit’s standard function from standard mode to the mode defined for Cyber Tyre. An emergency braking manoeuvre in standard mode – involving a hard press on the brake pedal triggered by a sudden obstacle appearing in front of the car at 110 all’ora (represented by two cones on the track), resulted in the sensation of a prolonged skid before coming to a halt beyond the finish line. This effect was caused by the soft compound and the track temperatures. However, setting the control unit to Cyber Tyre mode immediately restored the sensation of the tyres gripping the tarmac as they should, bringing the car to a halt 5.4 metres earlier than in the previous situation. And that’s no small feat.
The other GT4, fitted with semi-slick tyres ideal for dry surfaces, was taken through a fairly fast corner on a water-logged surface at full throttle at around 100 orari. Without the aid of Cyber Tyre technology, it veered significantly off course, losing composure before the ESP and traction control intervened, and requiring significant steering corrections, whereas with Cyber Tyre active, it followed the set line perfectly, responding to the subtle corrections made by the dynamic control systems. In short, it felt very natural.
The Giulia Quadrifoglio Verde used for the aquaplaning test was also fitted with P Zero semi-slick tyres. In the first of the two tests in which we were passengers – both of which took place at speeds in the region of 100 per hour – it was only thanks to the great skill of the Pirelli engineer that we were able to counteract the loss of steering control that occurs when the car starts to aquaplane, and avoid hitting thefixed obstacle on the straight – for which we owe a debt of gratitude to those who would have had to reposition it for the subsequent tests. In short, it was quite noticeable that the car was ‘floating’ on the thin film of water. In the second run, however, it entered the long puddle without showing any sign of instability thanks to Cyber Tyre, remaining fully controllable by the driver.
