Pirelli OE on Lambo Aventador

HOMESTEAD, Fla. (Feb. 6, 2013) — Italian car maker Lamborghini S.p.A. has designated Pirelli PZero UHP tires as the exclusive OE fitment for the roadster version of its four-wheel-drive Aventador LP 700-4 supercar, which goes on sale in North America this year.

Lamborghini introduced the car to the North American market this week at a press gathering at Homestead Speedway, according to Pirelli Tire North America Inc.

Lamborghini is fitting the $455,000 two-seater with a "plus-one" front-rear treatment: 255/30ZR20 front and 355/25ZR21 rear. These sizes are optional on the Aventador Coupe, Pirelli said.

The car's 6.5-liter V12 is rated at 690 horsepower.

Pirelli said the tires selected are the result of a close collaboration between the tire maker and Lamborghini engineers, who were able to develop an innovative solution that guaranteed the best stability, comfort and handling on a car capable of accelerating from 0-62 mph in just three seconds and hit a top speed of 217 mph.

In order to meet the needs of Lamborghini's four-wheel drive system on the Aventador, Pirelli said it used special casing and belting materials and firmer compounds—a design that limits the tire's deformation and maintains the performance and rolling characteristics in all conditions.

The tire's three deep longitudinal grooves in the asymmetric tread pattern are designed to deliver maximum grip on wet surfaces as well as acoustic comfort, Pirelli said.

Pirelli builds the special fitment PZeros at its Settimo Torinese, Italy, plant, which employs the firm's "Next MIRS" robotic producution process and the CCM-Continuous Compound Mixing system for precise rubber compounds.