Pirelli Cinturato P7 Review: ECO-Friendly

We’ve all heard of eco-friendly, green or low rolling resistant tyres and their fuel saving abilities. With the EU commission planning to lower the limits for rolling resistance and tyre noise, not to mention the increases in fuel prices, eco tyres have never been a more attractive option for motorists.

Whatever name they’re known by, Eco-friendly tyres were developed for one reason: to reduce fuel consumption without affecting performance or grip.

Pirelli has developed the new Cinturato P7 RFT which combines the new green revolution with the tradition of performance. Cinturato P7 Run Flat All Season / Eco Tires by Pirelli. Pirelli’s first "Green Performance" tire, Cinturato P7 has been created to take full advantage of latest materials, structures and tread pattern design in order to guarantee savings, respect for the environment, comfort and safety on all road surfaces. Pirelli's Self-Supporting Run Flat Technology allows tires to literally "run flat" for up to 80km @ 80km/h

The majority of my driving is in our urban Singapore City with frequent road trips up North on the NS highway, hence the need for a better performing reliable and secure tyre.

Right after fitment on my 2011 Mini One, I decided to give it a go by driving it all the way up to Cameron Highlands for a weekend getaway and see how it performs on the NS highway with speed in excess of 150km/h and its performance during tight hairpin turns up to our destination. Pirelli’s have addressed all of my needs.

At highway speeds, quiet, comfortable, smooth, positive feedback in the steering and pull up very sharply when needed.

We just had some wet weather, (actually it was pouring) while driving through tight bends in the hills it was secure as it gets with plenty of margin, on highway at 130 km/h there was no hint of getting close to aquaplaning. In my opinion, it’s a remarkable feat as opposed to my previous tyres.

Braking in the wet is very good, I gave it some extra to see how they pull up and was extremely happy with their performance to have only a slight bit of ABS ‘rattle’.

On unsealed roads they do a great job, a lot more stable and secure than expected even on loose soil (from the landslides that were a common occurrence on the way up to Cameron).

Around town they hold their own, negotiating roundabouts the steering is positive and direct and slips through them with ease.

All in all, the Pirelli P7 is a great example of a performance touring tyre that addresses a wide range of expectations people expect in a tyre. The tyre would compliment cars fitted with sports suspension and brakes very well, and would find itself just at ease on the family station wagon

The Cinturato P7 now plants itself firmly on my Mini. The Pirelli P7 ensures excellent handling, even in extreme conditions with consistent high performance. Also, The Cinturato line also starred in independent tests run by German automotive media. The Cinturato P7 was “highly recommended” in tests run by Auto Zeitung, and as “good” by VW/Audi magazine Gute Fahrt.

The Cinturato P7 is available in both normal and run-flat versions, with a wide range of Original Equipment (OE) markings for BMW, Audi and Mercedes. For example, some of the new units of the Mini Countryman in Singapore come OE with BMW Spec Cinturato P7 tyres. Same for the Audi A4, A5, BMW 5 series, Mercedes E Class and Volkswagen Scirocco.

Credits: Review by Daniel Chen.