Nearly three years of hard work in close collaboration with Aston Martin’s engineers have resulted in three different tyres to showcase the capabilities of the new DBX. This latest Aston Martin is equipped exclusively with Pirelli tyres, following to a painstaking development process designed to meet the exact requirements of the famous British manufacturer. The P Zero for the DBX has been developed to offer the best possible performance and handling, the Scorpion Zero AS to go off-road, and the Scorpion Winter to deliver safety and performance even in in winter conditions, with the same dynamic driving feel as experienced in summer.
This joint development work, which is a hallmark of Pirelli’s ‘perfect fit’ strategy, began with laboratory testing before moving onto outdoor testing in different conditions. The wet weather capabilities of the Pirelli tyres for the new Aston Martin DBX were refined at Pirelli’s test track in Vizzola near Milan, while tyre performance on ice and snow was honed at Pirelli’s winter test facility at Fleurheden in Sweden. Outright performance was developed at the famous high speed Nardo circuit in southern Italy. The final validation came at the epic Nürburgring Nordschleife in Germany: the ultimate test for any car and tyre package.
P ZERO, A TYRE FOR GRAN TURISMO
The new Aston Martin DBX delivers the absolute maximum in performance thanks to P Zero tyres that have been developed especially for it. In particular, the compound is derived from tyres used for GT cars, to maximise the V8 turbo power of the new Aston Martin. The P Zero compound for the DBX also produces maximum grip on track. The zero-degree belt in the structure of this P Zero marked A8A on the sidewall (to identify specific tyres for the Aston Martin DBX) uses a new hybrid material that offers better steering feel to enhance pleasure behind the wheel. Furthermore, it brings the overall weight of the tyre down, reducing rolling resistance and fuel consumption.
SCORPION ZERO AS, FOR SPORTS PERFORMANCE OFF ROAD
The Pirelli Scorpion Zero AS is instead designed for those who also intend to use their DBX off-road. Aston Martin’s goal is to open up possibilities for their customers, by offering a vehicle that is as versatile as possible while maintaining the performance and emotion that is synonymous with their cars. To achieve this objective, the Scorpion Zero tread pattern has been redesigned to maximise its off-road capabilities, with more rigid blocks towards the outside of the contact patch that provide enhanced grip in tricky conditions.
SCORPION WINTER: MAXIMUM SAFETY ON ICE AND SNOW
The Scorpion Winter, Pirelli’s specialised winter tyre for SUVs, has been optimised for winter weather – right down to temperatures of minus 30 degrees centigrade – to guarantee maximum efficiency even in the most extreme conditions. Pirelli has modified the materials that make up the carcass of this tyre to provide the best possible steering feel even in winter. As a result, performance driving is not just a summer activity in the DBX.
PIRELLI AND ASTON MARTIN
Pirelli and Aston Martin have always enjoyed a long and close relationship. The arrival of the new DBX, which is only available on Pirelli tyres, means that the Italian firm now equips 50% of all new Aston Martins, including iconic models such as the DBS Superleggera and new Vantage.