Ferrari 550 tyres and Pirelli's odd stance
Discussion
I needed to change all four tyres on my 550 Maranello. The car was on the original Pirelli P Zero Rosso - 255/40/18 front and 295/35/18 rear. I started to look online and quickly realised that the rears where available but the fronts were not. To cut to the chase, the only place who said they could get Rossos for the front was a Ferrari main dealer, and at a cost £360 each. As I wanted originality, I bit the bullet. However, when I went to collect the car, the tyres were not Rossos but Rosso Direzionales. These are a completely different tread pattern.
When I complained, I was told they were correct. Clearly, however, they could not dispute that the tread was different to the rear tyres, and different to the tyres that were removed from the front axle, the original Rosso. The dealer got in touch with their account Manager at Pirelli, who sent this response:
"The P Zero system (for P Zero Giallo and Rosso) concept was to use a directional front tyre in conjunction with an asymmetric rear, when used on rear wheel drive sportscars. Front engined/front wheel drive vehicles would usually have been fitted with an asymmetric pattern all round.
I have been Pirelli’s account manager for Ferrari (and all other high performance marques) for nearly 20 years and have always recommended this fitment.
The only 255/40R18 P Zero Rosso that we still make is the Direzionale pattern"
An extract from the February 2000 P Zero Rosso's press release was also included:
"And then there is safety in the wet: behind all P Zeroes are years of intensive study of profiles, tread compounds and patterns which guarantees the ultra-low profile will provide maximum safety in potential aquaplaning situations. To the point that Pirelli introduced the exclusive P Zero System, two different tread patterns for a car’s front and rear axles, which provide exceptional handling in wet and dry conditions.
So, pretty definitive stuff from the Pirelli guy. However, when looking at the catalogue that was attached to the email, it showed that only the 550, 575 and 355 are assigned different tyres front to rear. All the newer cars have matching axles. So, as far as I can see, the statement of "maximum safety in potential aquaplaning situations" seems inconsistent as all the newer Ferraris are on matching tyres.
Anyway, the whole thing has left me rather frustrated and confused. I have never heard such a policy before, and the car used to run on a matching set of Rossos (as did a previous 550 I had). If anyone can shed any light on this, I would love to get your views. Thanks.
When I complained, I was told they were correct. Clearly, however, they could not dispute that the tread was different to the rear tyres, and different to the tyres that were removed from the front axle, the original Rosso. The dealer got in touch with their account Manager at Pirelli, who sent this response:
"The P Zero system (for P Zero Giallo and Rosso) concept was to use a directional front tyre in conjunction with an asymmetric rear, when used on rear wheel drive sportscars. Front engined/front wheel drive vehicles would usually have been fitted with an asymmetric pattern all round.
I have been Pirelli’s account manager for Ferrari (and all other high performance marques) for nearly 20 years and have always recommended this fitment.
The only 255/40R18 P Zero Rosso that we still make is the Direzionale pattern"
An extract from the February 2000 P Zero Rosso's press release was also included:
"And then there is safety in the wet: behind all P Zeroes are years of intensive study of profiles, tread compounds and patterns which guarantees the ultra-low profile will provide maximum safety in potential aquaplaning situations. To the point that Pirelli introduced the exclusive P Zero System, two different tread patterns for a car’s front and rear axles, which provide exceptional handling in wet and dry conditions.
So, pretty definitive stuff from the Pirelli guy. However, when looking at the catalogue that was attached to the email, it showed that only the 550, 575 and 355 are assigned different tyres front to rear. All the newer cars have matching axles. So, as far as I can see, the statement of "maximum safety in potential aquaplaning situations" seems inconsistent as all the newer Ferraris are on matching tyres.
Anyway, the whole thing has left me rather frustrated and confused. I have never heard such a policy before, and the car used to run on a matching set of Rossos (as did a previous 550 I had). If anyone can shed any light on this, I would love to get your views. Thanks.
Thanks, Everyone for the feedback. The Ferrari dealer ended up sharing with me the Pirelli catalogue that shows the Direzionales on the front of the 550 and the Asymetricos on the rear. So, at some point, either Pirelli or Ferrari decided this was the correct tyre set for the car.
In response to other recommendations, I did try to find a matching set of Michelins, but I could not find PS4s for both axles. Anyway, I now have the Pirellis and I will see how I get on. Thanks again.
In response to other recommendations, I did try to find a matching set of Michelins, but I could not find PS4s for both axles. Anyway, I now have the Pirellis and I will see how I get on. Thanks again.
Gassing Station | Ferrari V12 | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff