Pirelli launches first all-weather tire line for N.A. market

ROME, Ga.—Pirelli Tire North America Inc. is launching an all-weather tire line, the WeatherActive, the company's first with all-weather capabilities.

Engineered to go beyond traditional all-season performance, this new product carries the industry's Three Peak Mountain Snowflake rating (3PMS), which certifies that the tire delivers improved performance in severe snow conditions, the tire maker said.

The WeatherActive tire offers improved wet performance and snow traction due to the adoption of new compound technology engineered to enhance the tread compound's pliability in cold temperatures, Pirelli said.

Pirelli is launching the WeatherActive in two versions: the Cinturato WeatherActive for sedans, which will be available in 16 sizes, and the Scorpion WeatherActive dedicated to SUVs and light trucks, available in 23 sizes. All come with a 60,000-mile limited treadwear warranty.

Key fitments include Acura RDX, BMW 330i, Audi Q5 and GMC Yukon, among others.

Pirelli said it developed this new tire line exclusively for the North American market, to offer drivers a single type of tire for year-round driving.

"In engineering this product, Pirelli's technicians were able to combine multiple performance attributes that are usually in conflict with each other, like offering outstanding performance on snow and wet surfaces, while also maintaining a comfortable ride and solid mileage," the company said.

"This was made possible thanks to a particular tread design together with the use of innovative materials engineered to allow the tread compound to perform across broad temperature range."

The directional tread pattern employs a specific distribution of siping designed to give the tire a more uniform stiffness and promote a regular wear pattern as the tire is used, Pirelli said, noting this translates into tire durability and product performance throughout the life of the tire, ultimately resulting in greater mileage.

Pirelli used innovative materials in the compounds, including highly functionalized polymers that help boost performance in the wet and snow.

Another benefit of the WeatherActive range is comfort: the adoption of an advanced tread design makes for enhanced quietness and an overall comfortable drive, the tire maker said.

Pirelli said it used advanced computer-aided design tools and virtual simulators to optimize the product development and test multiple tire designs long before the first physical tire was created. For example, the simulation tools were used to predict the behavior of the new tire in wet conditions to simulate hydroplaning conditions and help optimize the void distribution in the tread pattern, for improved wet handling and braking.

"The introduction of the WeatherActive confirms our strategy of developing more products specifically for the North American consumers, who usually drive in a variety of weather conditions and want to have the peace of mind to count on just one type of tires," said Claudio Zanardo, CEO of Pirelli Tire North America.

"The WeatherActive range offers excellent performance no matter the weather, together with great mileage. And this is what American consumers are looking for."

To launch this new range, Pirelli has partnered with four athletes who know about staying "active" under challenging weather conditions: runner Mirna Valerio, race-car driver Lindsay Brewer, Olympic gold medal snowboarder Hannah Teter and surfer Austin Keen.

Each experienced the tires in different weather situations, from the snowy mountaintops to salty, sandy beaches for a social media campaign that will be launched on PirelliUSA platforms.