Pirelli P Zero (PZ5) review

Pirelli’s new PZ5 version of the familiar P Zero scored three first places, more than any other tyre, but what makes the PZ5 special is that two of those table-topping performances were in wet handling and dry handling, showing a mastery of both conditions. 

In the wet it was agile and stable and offered decent traction, but there were tyres that had the same characteristics and felt sharper and grippier, so there was no obvious reason for its pace – though there was clearly something in it setting the wet-cornering pace. In the aquaplaning tests it was good rather than outstanding, but it nailed second in wet braking, just 0.7m shy of the best, cementing an impressive wet-weather performance. 

Its ability on the dry-handling circuit was more obvious, with strong grip and useful throttle adjustability. Overall, it felt composed, confident and effective, and set the equal best lap time with the Bridgestone. It was fourth in dry braking, just over a metre shy of the Yokohama. The Pirelli was quiet, according to the meter, and was good at quietly smoothing out rougher asphalt. Its rolling resistance isn’t great but you can’t have everything.

Blackcircles.com says…

“Rated 5/5 for ‘would buy the same tyre again’. Customers noted that their cars felt better to drive with it.”

Results

Buy the Pirelli P Zero (PZ5) from Blackcircles.com…