In the increasingly competitive war of high performance tires, Pirelli
(www.us.pirelli.com)
has recently added a new weapon to its arsenal. Having made a name for
themselves as the outfitter of max performance vehicles, with a line up
of tires reading like names from an episode of Sopranos, they
added NERO to their line of PZero tires. Nero, meaning black in Italian,
distinguishes itself from the other lines of high performance PZero tires,
the Rosso (red) line with a distinct, asymmetric tread pattern and deep,
water evacuating parallel grooves built into the compound. Using advanced
silica and carbon black compound that deform to form larger contact patches,
this new tire is made to accommodate passenger vehicles in a wide range
of applications and sizes.
With speed rating ranging from W, to Y, to ZR, and tire profile aspect
ratio ranging from 30* to 50, there’s almost certainly an application
for your Nissan-Infiniti, be it a plus zero configuration (wider tire
only), plus one (larger rim, shorter sidewall) or even up to plus two
(18” plus rims, ultra low profile tires). And the speed ratings
guarantee tire structural integrity even at speeds that could easily land
you in jail. Like most max performance summer tires, the Nero’s
offer excellent dry grip along with very good wet traction compared to
the H or V rated tires that are typically OEM.
Pricing of this new tire is also very attractive, falling right in line
with other max performance summer tires, and is marginally less expensive
than the other competing high-end brands. Compared against other Pirelli
product, it is about $5-15 cheaper than the Rosso line. Multiply that
by four and you see significant savings, about the cost to have the tire
mounted at a reputable shop.
Unlike some of Pirelli’s other products, such as the PZero Rosso
and PZero Directionale and Asymetricos, the PZero Nero’s tread pattern
is designed to be the same for the front and rear tire. It is actually
a better tire designed for either AWD vehicle or FWD vehicle, unlike the
other high end PZero tires with the different pattern front and rear tires
optimized for RWD cars. Performance of the Neros is in line with some
of the best max performance tires available on the market. A unique trait
with nearly all Pirelli tires, the sidewalls tend to be a bit softer,
thus allowing better deformation of the tread block and maximizes acceleration
and brake efficiency. A pleasant side effect of this feature is the Nero
is one of the most comfortable max performance tire I’ve ever used.
Noise level and ride comfort is comparable to the average H or V rated
high end touring tires. Of course, this is also dependant on the aspect
ratio of your sidewall. If you’re riding on 20 inch rims on 30 ultra
low profile tires, the ride is going to be rough regardless.
Having a softer sidewall isn’t always rosy though, as turn-in feel
and quickness is sacrificed a bit. On a daily driver on the street, it
isn’t going to make a big difference in outright performance, but
there is a different feel. On the drag strip this is actually a better
tire, because the way the tires deform upon acceleration will give you
a slight advantage (especially on a RWD platform like the 350Z or G35).
However, on a twisty track you’ll have to alter your driving style
a bit, brake harder to enter a corner to take advantage of the strength
of the tire and minimize the downside to the softer sidewalls.
The Neros have a UTQG rating of 220, which is pretty good for max performance
tires, actually outperforming some of its competitors with similar wear
ratings. A big reason is the advanced silica/carbon compound, which allows
for a much more even wear and decreases the likelihood of tire defects.
After four grueling track days on two very hot tracks (Buttonwillow, California
Speedway), these tires did not show any of the feathering or uneven wear
that other max performance tire exhibit. With a little care I project
these tire to last at least 20,000 miles and 4-8 days on the track (disclaimer:
Your experiences may vary).
Despite the moniker “summer tires,” these Pirellis are actually
excellent in wet weather. I admit, being a resident of Southern California
does not expose me to a lot of driving in the wet, but when it does rain
these tires behaved predictably well. In heavy rain with areas under 1-2
inches of standing water, the car did not exhibit any hydroplaning tendencies.
It doesn’t mean you can go blasting down the freeway at insane speeds
in the wet, though, so do apply caution and common sense.
In conclusion, I think this is a good tire with an excellent blend of
performance and comfort. For those of you thinking of upgrading the performance
of your vehicle, the very first thing I would recommend is to upgrade
the tires. This tire works well with nearly all the different passenger
platform Nissan-Infiniti offers, and does nearly everything well. Especially
for those of you upgrading from H or V rated tires, the improvement in
handling will be night and day, and for those of you plus sizing your
rim and tire package, put this on the list of tires you should consider.
Price wise, it’s a little higher than the average max performance
tires, but I think it’s well worth the difference.
