Pirelli sets a record for lateral acceleration with the P Zero Trofeo RS: 1.3 g for the Bentley Supersports

The new Bentley Supersports, the most radical of the British manufacturer’s road cars, is fitted with two bespoke Pirelli tyres. These are the P Zero, designed for everyday use and grand touring, and the P Zero Trofeo RS, a road-legal semi-slick tyre designed to enhance track performance. The Supersports, unveiled to mark the centenary of the ‘Super Sports’ name, stands out from previous Continental GT models thanks to a more extreme technical configuration: for the first time in the road-going range, it features rear-wheel drive, complemented by an electronic self-locking differential, brake-based torque vectoring and active rear-wheel steering. The engine is a twin-turbo V8 delivering 666 Cv and 800 Nm, whilst the kerb weight is under two tonnes. The development of the tyres proved particularly complex, not least due to the car’s high downforce, which can exceed that of the Continental GT Speed by over 300 kg. Pirelli worked on the compounds, structure and tread pattern through simulations and tests on the road and track, in collaboration with Bentley’s engineers. Both products are distinguished by the ‘B’ marking, reserved for tyres developed specifically for the British brand. The 22-inch P Zero is the original equipment tyre and has been developed to combine comfort, quietness and driving precision, whilst maintaining the grip required for a high-performance car. The P Zero Trofeo RS, also 22-inch, utilises a compound derived from Pirelli’s motorsport experience and a reinforced structure to handle the aerodynamic loads of the Supersports. With the Trofeo RS, the Bentley achieves a maximum lateral acceleration of 1.3 g, whilst cornering speed improves by around 30 per cent compared to the Continental GT Speed. A result which, according to Pirelli, surprised even Bentley’s own engineers during testing, when the level of lateral grip achieved on the track caused the car’s electronic systems to activate the seatbelt pretensioners. The two tyres are part of the Pirelli Perfect Fit programme, through which the manufacturer develops specific products in collaboration with car manufacturers, tailoring the compound, carcass, structure and tread pattern to the characteristics of each model. The collaboration between Pirelli and Bentley dates back to the 1980s, with the first tyres designed for the Turbo R and RT versions of the Mulsanne. Over the years, the partnership has expanded to include the Continental GT and Bentayga ranges, as well as racing cars. Among the achievements resulting from this collaboration are the records set by Bentley at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in 2018 and 2019.