New Pirelli Scorpion range: summer, All Season and winter tyres specifically for SUVs

Sales of SUV vehicles continue to rise, and tyre manufacturers have also adapted their products to this trend. Due to their characteristics, this type of vehicle requires specific tyres, adapted to their greater weight and, generally, a higher centre of gravity. Basically, the differences compared with equivalent tyres intended for passenger cars with compact, saloon or estate bodies are reinforced sidewalls and a reinforced carcass.

To meet these SUV needs, Pirelli has just launched its renewed Pirelli Scorpion range, available in three variants:

• Pirelli Scorpion: summer tyre for SUVs, for rims from 18″ to 21″
• Pirelli Scorpion All Season SF2: all-season tyre for SUVs, for rims from 17″ to 21″
• Pirelli Scorpion Winter 2: winter tyre for SUVs, coming soon

In addition, Pirelli offers these three tyres in a version with the “Elect” marking on the sidewall, which indicates that they are especially suited to plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles, incorporating two key technologies for this type of car: PNCS technology to reduce cabin noise, and run-flat or seal-inside technology so that a spare wheel can be dispensed with or punctures avoided.

Thanks to the use of new compounds, a new tread pattern design and optimised carcass construction, the improvements Pirelli announces for this new generation of its Scorpion family are as follows:

• Greater fuel efficiency or longer electric range
• Lower rolling noise
• Longer service life

Pirelli Scorpion: more robust and quieter

Pirelli’s new summer SUV tyre is characterised by its asymmetric design and the use of a new compound with synthetic rubber enriched with silica and specific resins, creating polymers capable of modifying its behaviour depending on temperature and driving conditions.

Its main features are low rolling resistance, with an A or B classification for energy efficiency on the European tyre label. Pirelli also announces improvements of up to 7% in dry braking and longer service life, as well as a reduction in rolling noise of up to 3 dB compared with the previous generation. It is available in 26 sizes, for rims from 18 to 21 inches.

Pirelli Scorpion All Season SF2: for all seasons

Thanks to the M+S and 3PMSF markings, the Pirelli Scorpion All Season SF2 ensure mobility on snowy roads without the need for chains. They are therefore ideal for users who want to enjoy the advantages of summer and winter tyres without having to change tyres with the change of season.

Inspired by the Pirelli Cinturato range, the Scorpion All Season SF2 have a directional tread pattern, with V-shaped grooves and adaptive sipes that open or close depending on the outside temperature or whether the asphalt is dry or wet, which affects the stiffness of the blocks and therefore the grip. Its central groove is designed to improve water evacuation, improving resistance to aquaplaning. Among the all-season tyres on the market, it is perhaps one of those with a tread pattern most similar to what we would see on a summer tyre.

As with the summer Pirelli Scorpion, all sizes of the Scorpion All Season SF2 carry an A or B rating on the rolling resistance label (except the run-flat versions).

Pirelli Scorpion Winter 2: the snow specialist

There are also improvements to the specific winter tyre, the Pirelli Scorpion Winter 2. In this case the sipes adapt as the tyre wears, moving from an initial straight pattern to a zig-zag one, which increases performance on snow or wet asphalt even as the tyre wears down over the kilometres.

The Scorpion Winter 2 incorporate up to 20% more sipes, and rubber blocks that are reinforced and larger than in the Cinturato versions for passenger cars. The compound is also an evolution of the one used in the previous generation, designed to improve performance on water or snow.

Related information of interest

• These are the advantages of using All Season or all-weather tyres
• Five tricks to keep your tyres in good condition
• The dangers of driving on tyres with low pressure