Why Car Enthusiasts Choose Pirelli for the Ultimate Driving Experience

December 6, 2024

Reading Time: 5 minutes

Last Updated on December 6, 2024

Why Car Enthusiasts Choose Pirelli for the Ultimate Driving Experience

It’s hard not to “name drop” when discussing Pirelli performance tires. Iconic cars like the Aston Martin Vantage, Audi R8, and almost all current Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Porsche 911 models use Pirelli tires as their OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) tire of choice. But the list doesn’t end there – Pirelli tires are also featured on McLaren and Pagani’s – some of the most expensive and exotic models today.

Did we mention that Koenigsegg relied on Pirellis when they broke the speed records? But wait, those are just the street cars. We also have to acknowledge Pirelli’s deep influence in motorsports – they have been a cornerstone of Formula Once since the beginning. Their extensive motorsports experience includes the World Rally Championship, GT Series, and even producing tires for Superbike Championships.

As a final piece of their impressive performance portfolio, Pirelli produces one of the most popular track-day tires for amateur enthusiasts. No other company has been as deeply involved in the enthusiast market. Pirelli is not in the business of just making car tires – they are also making fast cars even faster.

Performance Background

Pirelli’s success and global recognition didn’t happen overnight. Their journey into motorsports began in 1895, when Pirelli tires were used in Italy’s first automotive racing event. Since then, the company has continually invested in this market, achieving several milestones, like introducing the first low-profile performance tire in 1974, which later became the industry standard.

An interesting fact: Pirelli’s collaborative approach with various manufacturers has been a key element of its success. The company has a long history of designing tires for specific vehicles, starting with the design of a unique off-road performance tire for the rugged Lamborghini LM002 and continuing with a special Pirelli P-Zero tire designed for the legendary Ferrari F40 supercar.

While it’s tempting to credit Pirelli’s success to its partnership with Italian brands during the heyday of the sports cars segment, this is not the case. Since the 1980s, practically every major global performance car manufacturer has worked with Pirelli to develop custom tires for their top-of-the-range models. This is why Pirelli performance tires are sometimes marketed with symbols like “F” for Ferrari, “AO” for Audi, and “L” for Lamborghini, a star symbol for BMW M cars, to name a few.

If you are in the market for a thoroughbred performance vehicle right now, check the tires because there’s a good chance it’s riding on Pirelli tires.

Unmatched R&D

This unique position in the car industry makes Pirelli not just a supplier of the world’s best car brands but a co-developer of the industry’s finest-performing machines. Many vehicles are engineered with Pirelli tires in mind, with Pirelli technicians working alongside some of the greatest designers and engineers in the automotive and motorsports world.

This generates an unmatched amount of valuable R&D data, fueling advancements in tire technology, designs and rubber compounds for performance users, racing teams, and everyday drivers. The old saying “racing improves the breed” is very much true in this case.

With over 320 Formula One victories and 10 wins at 24 Hours Of Le Mans, along with countless other checkered flags, make your everyday Pirelli tire better than the competition.

Performance All Across The Board

If you think Pirelli only makes summer performance or racing tires, think again. This company offers a full lineup of performance rubber in various sizes and types to suit all kinds of enthusiasts, including very capable winter and all-season tires.

Don’t dismiss winter performance driving either—it’s very much a reality. Take the Pirelli Scorpion tire, for instance, it is the OEM tire of choice for Porsche’s newest all-terrain sports car, the incredible 911 Dakar.

What Are The Best Pirelli Performance Tires In 2024?

Summer Performance Tires

Pirelli’s summer performance tires are designed to offer maximum grip, precision handling, and speed stability in warm weather.

Pirelli P Zero

A benchmark in summer performance, the P Zero is Pirelli’s flagship tire for high-performance sports cars and luxury vehicles.