Pirelli Tires
P-Zero Rosso (Mercedes spec)
Best Wet Braking!Class: Max Performance (Wet and Dry)
Tread Depth: 10/32"
Tread Design: Asymmetric
Tread Wear: 220
Traction: AA
Temperature: A
Load Index/Speed Rating: 91W
Price: $154
Contact:www.pirelli.com
Overall Ranking: 3rd
WET
Slalom: 4.586sec
Skidpan: 0.770g
Lap Time: 32.331sec
Braking from 50mph: 92.5ft
DRY
Slalom: 4.227sec
Skidpan: 0.898g
Lap Time: 30.168sec
Braking from 50mph: 78.4ft
The Rosso was designed with comfort and performance in mind. However, with an eleventh place finish last year, something was seriously lacking. This year was a different story. We got our hands on tires built as OE-spec for the Mercedes C-Class and the results are significantly different. It carries the same design with a semi-slick center rib that enhances acceleration and braking, robust shoulders and intermediate tread blocks for increased traction. However, this spec definitely suited the BMW E90 better and the improvement was significant, particularly in wet braking.
Driver's Comments
DRY
Don: These were confidence-inspiring. Turn-in was very crisp and feedback was good. They were average on the skidpad but put the power down very well, with awesome high-speed lateral control.
Will: These were in the same realm as the Conti and Dunlops. They feel confidence-inspiring and consistent but weren't spectacular anywhere.
WET
Don: I really liked these. They felt close to the Goodyears, being very consistent, with lots of grip, consistent turn-in and braking. I got comfortable very quickly and found them controllable over the limit.
Will: The turn-in was good on these but they'd still lose grip, although not as quickly as the Michelins. They didn't have as much grip as the Goodyear and you had to be smooth with them. I felt they were average rather than special.