FCA chooses Pirelli tire as OE for three vehicles

DETROIT—Fiat Chrysler Automobiles L.L.C. has selected the Pirelli Scorpion Verde All Season tire as an original equipment fitment for 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango SUVs sold in North America, and the Scorpion Verde for export models of the same vehicles.

“This (selection) continues our focus on investing and catering to local market needs in North America with our quality product range,” said Pierluigi Dinelli, Pirelli Tire North America Inc. CEO and chairman. “We are very happy to be able to offer our customer base these latest additions.”

The Verde All Season fitment size for both the Grand Cherokee and Durango is 265/50R20 107V, Pirelli said, while the Verde fitment for export models is 265/60R18 110H.

Pirelli said the Verde's “green performance capabilities” complement FCA's efforts at improving fuel economy and reducing tailpipe emissions for the Grand Cherokee and Durango.

The Rome, Ga.-based tire maker describes the Scorpion Verde product line an “eco-friendly, performance-oriented” tire selection for crossover/SUV applications. The all-season version is designed to offer increased mileage and light off-road performance, without compromising comfort and safety in a variety of weather conditions.

The tires feature “Ecoimpact” icons on the sidewalls to highlight their environmental compatibility where it reduces rolling resistance and tire weight vs. previous Pirelli CUV/SUV tire lines.

The 2016 Grand Cherokee, which Pirelli said is the “most awarded SUV in the industry,” offers improved fuel economy via Engine Stop-Start (ESS) technology featured on the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6, and electric power-steering for all gas V-6 and 5.7-liter V-8 models.

The Verde All Season is standard on Summit models sold in the U.S., Canada and Mexico and is the optional performance upgrade for the two-wheel-drive Overland.

“We think these new fitments … are the perfect fit for an iconic American make like the Jeep Grand Cherokee,” Dinelli said.

The 2016 Durango, touted as a “no-compromise SUV,” will offer the Scorpion Verde as an optional performance upgrade for the SXT, Limited, R/T and Citadel models, which feature FCA's 3.6 Penstar V-6 engine generating 290 horsepower.