Behind the Scenes of Pirelli's New P Zero Performance Tire
To many drivers, tires are the unsung heroes of modern mobility. Even with all the cool new technology packed into every vehicle on the road, your tires are the only part of that vehicle that actually comes in contact with the ground. They're responsible for handling all the power, turning and stopping the vehicle safely and predictably for the entirety of their lives. So, you know, no big deal.
Tires might go unnoticed by most drivers, but those who know know about the Pirelli P Zero. It's an icon of the automotive industry, so when Pirelli introduced the newest generation of its performance tire and offered me a chance to get a behind-the-scenes look into its development, I jumped at the chance.
Where it started and where it's going
Fittingly, 2025 marks the 40th anniversary of the P Zero's introduction. Originally developed for the growing number of fast (for the era) turbocharged and supercharged cars, the P Zero turned out to be the first modern ultra-high-performance (UHP) tire. Fun fact: The P Zero was still under development when the Lanica rally team used it as the road tire to get their legendary 037 between stages. During a particularly wet day, driver Miki Biasion liked the tire so much that he demanded he run it during the next stage. He did, and he won the stage. On a street-legal tire.
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Wertheimer said the company redesigned the electronic suite with help from McLaren Applied to ensure longevity even after the bike has been through its paces in rain, cold, heat, and other conditions. The S6 platform delivers other features that VanMoof fans will recognize, like the Halo Ring which replaces a traditional display and glows different colors to keep riders informed about battery life and speed. The Halo on the S6 is much brighter, addressing complaints from past models of it being too dim in direct sunlight. New tech features include an integrated navigation that pairs the bike to an accompanying mobile app, providing turn-by-turn directions via the Halo lights and sounds. There's also a new sound ecosystem, which includes a soft, but firm, cricket-like sound that a rider can use in place of a bell to alert other road users to their presence. Anti-theft features have come standard on almost all VanMoof e-bike models, but Wertheimer says the S6 is even better. 'We have a new tracking system that's much more accurate,' he said, noting the system relies on cellular tower triangulation, GPS signal, WiFi, and Bluetooth to determine location of the vehicle within 2 meters. Wertheimer also said VanMoof will soon introduce crash detection and other safety features. As for the ride itself, the S6's improved mechanical shifting system comes pre-tuned from the factory and automatically adjusts based on speed, allowing for smoother momentum. It also works in tandem with the bike's four pedal-assist levels. The front-wheel motor, co-developed with 'a major Japanese manufacturer,' contributes to a more natural, intuitive riding experience. And the new suspension seatpost handles bumps in the road well. For a bike that only weighs 51 pounds, it's surprisingly sturdy. And, of course, the iconic boost button adds that extra bit of oomph, making riders feel like they've just ridden over a mushroom in Mario Kart. 'When we took over VanMoof, we inherited great design, and an impressive product ecosystem,' Wertheimer said. 'We spent two years rebuilding our company and brand to reach this launch…We are ready to show the world what we can do again. That's what we see in the S6, our ebike that can deliver on 11 years of promises.'
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