Pirelli has developed two dedicated tire fitments for the new Bentley Supersports: the P Zero Trofeo RS, aimed primarily at track use, and the P Zero for everyday driving. The tires have been developed to “harness the capabilities” of a car that that differs significantly from previous Continental GT models, boasting rear-wheel drive for the first time in the series, a kerb weight of less than two metric tons, and a 666hp, 800Nm twin-turbocharged V8 powertrain.
Pirelli’s collaboration with Bentley on the Supersports began with what the tire maker describes as “the most demanding technical brief ever set for a road-going Continental GT”. The switch to rear-wheel drive, combined with an electronic limited-slip differential, brake-based torque vectoring, active rear-wheel steering and a 16mm wider rear track, required tires capable of managing significantly different load transfers and drive-force distribution compared with the all-wheel-drive Continental GT Speed.
The car’s aerodynamic package – which generates more than 300kg of additional downforce compared with the Continental GT Speed through a larger front splitter, dive planes, side skirts, rear wheel-arch vents and rear diffuser – further increased the demands on the tires. These elements increase the vertical load acting on the tires as speed rises. Pirelli fine-tuned the compounds, construction and tread pattern through a development program that began with virtual simulation before progressing to road and track testing, in collaboration with Bentley’s engineering team. The aim was to deliver consistent performance across all manufacturer-specified driving modes, from Touring to Sport.
The result is two dedicated homologated tire fitments, both identified by Pirelli’s “B” marking for tires developed specifically for Bentley.
The original equipment fitment
The 22in Pirelli P Zero is fitted to the Supersports as its OE tire, with its construction and compound optimized for ride comfort, low noise and steering precision while providing the grip required for the car’s power and weight. The tire has also been tuned to work with the Supersports’ suspension and dual-chamber dampers, supporting precise responses and stability across everyday and grand-touring driving.
The choice for track driving
For customers seeking the ultimate performance, Pirelli developed the first bespoke P Zero Trofeo RS ever for a Bentley. This 22in semi-slick is road legal yet engineered with a clear track-focused philosophy, representing another milestone in the partnership between the two brands.
Drawing on Pirelli’s motorsport expertise, the compound, carcass construction and internal reinforcements have been designed to withstand the significant aerodynamic loads generated by the Supersports. With this tire fitment, the car achieves peak lateral acceleration of 1.3g and increases cornering speeds by approximately 30% compared with the Continental GT Speed.
One particular anecdote from the development program illustrates the level of grip achieved – during the first track test on P Zero Trofeo RS tires, lateral grip exceeded the parameters anticipated by the vehicle’s electronic control systems, triggering the seat-belt pretensioners.
The P Zero Trofeo RS, which combines Pirelli’s road-tire engineering with its motorsport expertise, is available as an option for customers seeking to exploit the Supersports’ track-focused performance.
Bespoke development
Both tire fitments were developed through Pirelli’s “Perfect Fit” program, which involves co-developing bespoke tires for individual vehicle models in collaboration with manufacturers’ engineering teams. The programme combines virtual simulation with joint testing to optimise the tire’s compound, construction, tread pattern and carcass stiffness for the specific characteristics of each vehicle.
This latest development builds on the long-standing partnership between Pirelli and Bentley, over the many years of the evolution of the Continental GT range which now enters a new chapter with the Supersports, the purest and most driver-focused Bentley ever produced.
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