A new Cinturato CN54 tire for the classic Mini has been launched by Pirelli. The CN54 has been released as part of the Pirelli Collezione lineup, a family of tires specifically designed for classic cars built between 1950 and 1980 that combine a vintage look with modern technology.
The original Cinturato CN54 was first launched in 1972 and has been recreated by the tire manufacturer in a size 145/70 R12 for fitment to all versions of the classic Mini. The tire features a tread pattern and a sidewall similar to the original, with Pirelli also applying a host of modern tire technologies to futureproof the product.
The reimagined tire benefits from Pirelli’s latest compounds and, its designers claim, provides increased levels of grip and improved road holding characteristics in wet weather. This ensures the tire is reliable and meets today’s much stricter safety standards.
During the research and development stage of the project, engineers referred to the original Cinturato CN54 materials and tire designs in the Pirelli Foundation archives in Milan. These supported the detailed reproduction of the product, ensuring the same parameters used by the original vehicle designers, such as the suspension and chassis settings of the classic Mini, were adhered to.
When Pirelli launched the first version of the Cinturato tire in 1964, the manufacturer described it as a “fabulous new tire with its own safety belt inside”. The tire introduced the radial structure to the industry and went on to be equipped to an array of vehicles over the following decades.
