Pirelli Presents Scorpion Verde the First "Green" Tyre for SUV Drivers

BARCELONA, Spain, March 18, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Pirelli presents Scorpion Verde, the first high-performance eco-friendly tyre for SUVs and Crossovers at the Idiada International Testing Circuit in Barcelona (Catalonia). Scorpion Verde boasts new materials and a new structure guaranteeing steady performance throughout the tyre's life, lower noxious emissions, noise reduction, running economy, shorter braking distances, and comfort.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100317/382676 )

Savings and durability. Scorpion Verde is made entirely of aromatic oil-free materials, and lowers fuel consumption up to 3.9% for city driving and of 3.4% for mixed routes (city and motorway driving). It curbs acoustic emissions by one decibel, which is equal to a total reduction of 30% (like removing an entire lane from a three-lane motorway). In addition, Scorpion Verde was designed to ensure uniform tread wear and increase overall duration. The ecological features of Pirelli's new tyre range are guaranteed by a combination of factors: the development of an optimised profile, the use of cutting-edge materials, an optimised design process and reducing energy dissipation. These features translate into 20% lower rolling resistance. The Scorpion Verde is also lighter and has been designed to use 10% fewer raw materials, decreasing its environmental impact per unit produced by the same amount.

Comfort and safety on all road types. Scorpion Verde combines ecological features with performance: improved braking, greater traction on wet surfaces and better handling. Its new materials integrate the latest technologies: nano-filler particles within the compounds and a polymer structure that helps the tyre adapt to various road conditions; and hybrid fibres, which combine different materials to achieve diverse performance. Scorpion Verde was developed to ensure improved safety on wet asphalt thanks to a tread pattern with 4 deep longitudinal grooves for increased water dispersion, innovative compounds designed to achieve greater traction on wet surfaces, and reinforced shoulders to optimise lateral grip on all asphalt conditions.

Scorpion Verde is the latest addition to Pirelli's range of "Green Performance" eco-friendly tyres, inaugurated in 2008 with the return of the Cinturato line in the P4 and P6 versions. In 2009, these were expanded to include the P7, the first ecological tyre for medium and high-powered cars. Scorpion Verde, available on the replacement market from April 2010, completes the Scorpion tyre range, which already includes the ATR for 4x4s, and the Scorpion Zero, developed for top-of-the-range SUVs.

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SOURCE Pirelli