Pirelli to be OE fitment for BMW electric SUV

NEW YORK—Pirelli's P Zero Elect tires will be original equipment on xDrive50 and sportier M60 versions of BMW A.G.' 100-percent electric iX SUV.

The tires are available for the BMW iX xDrive50 version in 255/50R21 109Y XL and 275/40R22 107Y XL sizes. The latter size also is available for the sportier M60 version of the BMW SUV.

The tires are marked with a star on the side to indicate that they have been especially developed for BMW as part of Pirelli's 'perfect fit' philosophy, along with a 22-inch BMW iX tire, which has more grip and is made for maximum performance. This tire has an "I" on the side, in addition to the star marking, Pirelli said.

Pirelli Elect tires, including the P Zero, "distinguish themselves thanks to their supreme driving comfort with contained road noise as well as immediate grip, a long range and safety-focused design," Pirelli said.

"The intense development dedicated by Pirelli to the BMW iX underlines the Italian firm's commitment to design specific tires for electrified cars, BEVs or plug-in hybrids. These products are created from the beginning to enhance the individual characteristics of electric cars, as denoted by the 'Elect' marking on the sidewall of the tire itself," they continued.

The P Zero Elect tires focus on low rolling resistance, to allow the car to travel for more miles after a charge.

They also have superior aerodynamics. The "external profile has been modified to ensure that the tire protrudes less, reducing aerodynamic turbulence while improving overall efficiency, without sacrificing adequate rim protection. The embedded lettering on the side of the tire is just as distinctive, hollowed into the sidewall rather than standing out in relief," Pirelli said.

The tires are equipped with Pirelli Noise Cancelling System (PNCS) technology, which Pirelli said reduces road noise through sound-absorbing material inside the tire, which dampens the acoustic vibrations that would otherwise be transmitted into the car.

The tire structure been optimized to cope with the considerable weight of the vehicle and is designed to offer optimal levels of driving comfort in all road traffic conditions.