Pirelli have just launched the replacement to the Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2, and naturally they've kept their next generation naming conventions as logical as possible by naming the new tyre the Pirelli Cinturato. C3. Well, we've added the C3 part, but as we're betting the next version of the tyre is also going to be called the Cinturato, we need to keep track of the models (as we currently do with the P Zero [PZ4].)

Safety First

The good news is that the new Cinturato has achieved the strongest dry braking performance among major competitors in independent testing by DEKRA. The tests, conducted in November 2024 using size 225/50 R17 tyres, showed the Cinturato outperforming rivals from Bridgestone, Continental, Goodyear, and Michelin.

The dry braking results placed the new Cinturato at the benchmark (100%), followed by Michelin Primacy 4+ (97.5%), Continental PremiumContact 7 (96.6%), Bridgestone Turanza 6 (93%), and Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 (91.8%). These results align with Pirelli's focus on what they call their 'eco-safety' strategy, balancing performance with efficiency.

In the wet, the tyre secured an 'A' grade wet grip rating across all sizes in the European tyre label testing, while also delivering a 20% improvement in mileage compared to its predecessor which definitely needed to be improved. The wet grip achievement is particularly notable as it spans the whole launch range, rather than just select sizes.

The New Tech

The performance gains come from a new tread compound that uses a star-shaped polymer combined with a specialized resin blend. This compound technology aims to solve one of the key challenges in tyre development - balancing opposing performance characteristics like grip, durability, and rolling resistance.

Pirelli's new "SmartNet Silica" technology features elongated elements arranged in the direction of travel, which helps balance cornering grip with reduced rolling resistance on straighter roads. The longitudinal arrangement of these elements represents a step forward in silica technology, with the regular pattern helping to maintain consistent performance.

Is also has a beautiful sidewall.

The summer tyre joins Pirelli's existing Cinturato range, which includes the All Season SF3 and Winter 2 variants, which have both received recognition from specialist magazines since its launch, being rated as the best in category. The new model will also be available with Pirelli's Elect specification, designed specifically for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.

The Cinturato name dates back to the 1950s when it was first used on Pirelli's Formula 1 and rally tyres. It was Pirelli's first radial tyre, with the name referring to its reinforced structure using textile or metal bands. The radial construction marked a significant technological advancement in tyre design at the time, offering improved stability and strength compared to earlier tyre construction methods.

The tyre line has become Pirelli's highest-selling globally, with 145 vehicle homologations achieved in the last five years across more than 60 different vehicle models. This widespread adoption spans manufacturers from Europe, the United States, and Asia, demonstrating the tyre's versatility across different vehicle designs and market requirements.

The new summer Cinturato is designed for premium cars ranging from sedans to CUVs and will be available in both the original equipment and replacement markets. The combination of dry braking performance, wet grip rating, and improved mileage suggests Pirelli has managed to address multiple key performance criteria without significant compromises.

Tyre Reviews will have an exclusive test of the new tyre out in the coming weeks!