Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R review
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What is it?
The Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R is a streetable track & competition tire engineered for sports cars, and performance-oriented coupes and sedans. While DOT legal and adequate for street use (given appropriate driver caution -- more on this below), the P Zero Trofeo R is really best suited for use on track and in performance environments. According to Pirelli, the Trofeo R is "Designed for racetrack driving on dry asphalt." Despite the track focus and design, the P Zero Trofeo R was fitted to the Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 as the original equipment tire. It also served as an original equipment tire for the McLaren P1 hybrid hypercar. As of this review update in mid-2017, the Trofeo R continues to be a go-to option for maximum grip and fast lap applications. The Lamborghini Huracan Performante set a new production car Nurburgring lap record earlier this year with the help of the Trofeo R, and then the McLaren P1 LM bested that, also wearing the Trofeo R. So the Trofeo R brings no shortage of maximum performance credibility to the table. Is it a must-have track tire? Here's our take. |
Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R |
P Zero Trofeo R strengths and weaknesses?
True to its design, the Trofeo R delivers excellent dry condition performance and dynamics. Cornering grip and braking performance in particular are exceptional. The Camaro Z/28 pulls up to 1.5 g under braking fitted with the P Zero Trofeo R, and the nearly 3900 lb. beast completed Motor Trend's figure eight test in an impressive 23.6 seconds at 0.84 g average. (In an interesting tire swap test, the Camaro Z/28 lost half a second in the short figure eight test when they swapped the P Zero Trofeo R for the Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar G: 2, another track-oriented tire.)
On the demerit side of the equation, the P Zero Trofeo R absolutely requires heat to deliver that renowned performance, which means that it's not at its best on public roads. This point deserves re-emphasis: The Trofeo R requires significant coaxing to bring up to optimum operating temperature. Unless you're hammering away on the Tail of the Dragon, that temperature range will probably never be achieved on the street. In cooler fall ambient temperatures (55-65 F) it took us some 2-3 laps on 2 mile track to bring the Trofeo R up to optimum temperature/psi range. (The task is a bit easier with ambient temps in the 70-90 F range.)
And once the Trofeo R is in optimum range, there's no doubt that it sticks like glue. However, it's a finicky tire, at least in Z/28 application. Even one psi too much or too little has significant influence on grip. The optimum performance window is narrow, and difficult to reaccess once you've built up too much heat/psi, even with a cool down lap or two. It's more race tire than street tire to be sure. Word is that the Trofeo R is made alongside the F1 tires in Pirelli's factory, and ideally it would come with tire blankets and a pit crew to monitor the rubber situation pre- and post-session. Given the price (detailed below), we're not so sure that's an unfair expectation...
Performance track tires like the Trofeo R can be prone to abrupt traction loss and snap oversteer when cold, so drivers will have to drive with appropriate cognizance. As above, those expecting race car levels of stick straightaway are potentially in for a hazardous surprise.
According to Pirelli, Trofeo R wet condition grip is quite limited. Pirelli does not recommend the Trofeo R be used in "very wet" track conditions, and even with regard to wet conditions on public roads, "prudent driving at reduced speed is recommended."
Is P Zero Trofeo R wet weather performance quite as perilous as Pirelli make it out to be? Yes and no. We've managed some 600 miles of very rainy highway travel in our Z/28 and lived to tell about it. Trofeo R wet road protocol isn't particularly different than with just about every other form of street legal track tire: Reduce speeds substantially and do your best to steer clear of standing water.
So the P Zero Trofeo R is a capable wet weather performance tire then? Good lord, no. We'd take 1/2 of a Continental ExtremeContact DW instead. But is it possible to travel on wet roads without careening into the nearest guardrail? Yes, given adequate driver caution and control.
Despite Pirelli's guidance against, we have run the Trofeo R during very wet track sessions and truth be told, it's a harrowing experience. On a wet track the Trofeo R maintains its immediate on/off grip characteristic, both in terms of straight line traction where water depth is inconsistent (alternating between hydroplaning and surface contact), and through the corners.
Cornering grip in particular in wet conditions is, interesting... When the contact patch is in touch with the wet road surface the Trofeo R still tries to stick like a race tire. However, the moment sufficient water depth is encountered or the traction window exceeded, the loss of grip is lightning fast. The loss of grip seems no more progressive in the wet than in the dry.
Our take: Follow Pirelli's advice and avoid very wet track use with the Trofeo R.
Other characteristics of note --
Putting wide P Zero Trofeo R's up front as with the Camaro Z/28 will result in some inevitable tramlining, so keep your eyes on the road. On uneven roads and highways the Z/28 jumps around at the front end, and requires consistent counter-steering.
Oh, and they make some noise on the street to be sure. Right out of the gate the P Zero Trofeo R makes about as much road noise as a highly worn street performance tire.
True to its design, the Trofeo R delivers excellent dry condition performance and dynamics. Cornering grip and braking performance in particular are exceptional. The Camaro Z/28 pulls up to 1.5 g under braking fitted with the P Zero Trofeo R, and the nearly 3900 lb. beast completed Motor Trend's figure eight test in an impressive 23.6 seconds at 0.84 g average. (In an interesting tire swap test, the Camaro Z/28 lost half a second in the short figure eight test when they swapped the P Zero Trofeo R for the Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar G: 2, another track-oriented tire.)
On the demerit side of the equation, the P Zero Trofeo R absolutely requires heat to deliver that renowned performance, which means that it's not at its best on public roads. This point deserves re-emphasis: The Trofeo R requires significant coaxing to bring up to optimum operating temperature. Unless you're hammering away on the Tail of the Dragon, that temperature range will probably never be achieved on the street. In cooler fall ambient temperatures (55-65 F) it took us some 2-3 laps on 2 mile track to bring the Trofeo R up to optimum temperature/psi range. (The task is a bit easier with ambient temps in the 70-90 F range.)
And once the Trofeo R is in optimum range, there's no doubt that it sticks like glue. However, it's a finicky tire, at least in Z/28 application. Even one psi too much or too little has significant influence on grip. The optimum performance window is narrow, and difficult to reaccess once you've built up too much heat/psi, even with a cool down lap or two. It's more race tire than street tire to be sure. Word is that the Trofeo R is made alongside the F1 tires in Pirelli's factory, and ideally it would come with tire blankets and a pit crew to monitor the rubber situation pre- and post-session. Given the price (detailed below), we're not so sure that's an unfair expectation...
Performance track tires like the Trofeo R can be prone to abrupt traction loss and snap oversteer when cold, so drivers will have to drive with appropriate cognizance. As above, those expecting race car levels of stick straightaway are potentially in for a hazardous surprise.
According to Pirelli, Trofeo R wet condition grip is quite limited. Pirelli does not recommend the Trofeo R be used in "very wet" track conditions, and even with regard to wet conditions on public roads, "prudent driving at reduced speed is recommended."
Is P Zero Trofeo R wet weather performance quite as perilous as Pirelli make it out to be? Yes and no. We've managed some 600 miles of very rainy highway travel in our Z/28 and lived to tell about it. Trofeo R wet road protocol isn't particularly different than with just about every other form of street legal track tire: Reduce speeds substantially and do your best to steer clear of standing water.
So the P Zero Trofeo R is a capable wet weather performance tire then? Good lord, no. We'd take 1/2 of a Continental ExtremeContact DW instead. But is it possible to travel on wet roads without careening into the nearest guardrail? Yes, given adequate driver caution and control.
Despite Pirelli's guidance against, we have run the Trofeo R during very wet track sessions and truth be told, it's a harrowing experience. On a wet track the Trofeo R maintains its immediate on/off grip characteristic, both in terms of straight line traction where water depth is inconsistent (alternating between hydroplaning and surface contact), and through the corners.
Cornering grip in particular in wet conditions is, interesting... When the contact patch is in touch with the wet road surface the Trofeo R still tries to stick like a race tire. However, the moment sufficient water depth is encountered or the traction window exceeded, the loss of grip is lightning fast. The loss of grip seems no more progressive in the wet than in the dry.
Our take: Follow Pirelli's advice and avoid very wet track use with the Trofeo R.
Other characteristics of note --
Putting wide P Zero Trofeo R's up front as with the Camaro Z/28 will result in some inevitable tramlining, so keep your eyes on the road. On uneven roads and highways the Z/28 jumps around at the front end, and requires consistent counter-steering.
Oh, and they make some noise on the street to be sure. Right out of the gate the P Zero Trofeo R makes about as much road noise as a highly worn street performance tire.
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Overall the Trofeo R delivers the goods as a dry condition track tire if you manage to hit its performance "groove." Everywhere else is a compromise, as Pirelli's own internal ratings indicate. Our take: The Trofeo R is definitely not a street or track tire for beginners.
How does the P Zero Trofeo R compare? Other than the swap test with the aforementioned Goodyear, direct comparative (lap time) data is lacking at this time. That particular Goodyear is on the weak end of the extreme performance summer tire spectrum, and we would expect a similar performance improvement from top options like the Hankook Ventus R-S4 and Bridgestone Potenza RE-71R over the Goodyear. The P Zero Trofeo R is certainly a performance match with tires like the R-S4 and RE-71R, and in the optimum operating range it likely has superior grip. However, in our experience it's a noisier and less enjoyable option on the street, and far more challenging to use and limited (no bueno in the wet) in a performance context. Also, Trofeo R pricing is a bit of a problem as compared to just about every other tire in the category (see below). |
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P Zero Trofeo R Warranty?
- Treadlife Warranty: Joking, right?
- Uniformity Warranty: 1 Year / first 2/32" of wear
For full P Zero Trofeo R warranty information, see the warranty brochure here.
- Treadlife Warranty: Joking, right?
- Uniformity Warranty: 1 Year / first 2/32" of wear
For full P Zero Trofeo R warranty information, see the warranty brochure here.
Anything else to know?
The P Zero Trofeo R is a high quality performance track tire no doubt, but is it that much better than top tier extreme performance summer options?
By "that" we mean the P Zero Trofeo R is about $520 more per set than the tried-and-true Bridgestone Potenza RE-11, and over $600 more per set than the Ventus R-S4 in 245/35/ZR19 sizing. Step up to the Z/28's 305s, and the dollar difference is even more drastic.
While the P Zero Trofeo R's ultimate performance is beyond question, the original equipment price premium applied here is borderline unreasonable. Even the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 is less expensive, and that's Porsche 991 GT3 original equipment. The sister streetable track & competition tire from Pirelli, the Pirelli P Zero Corsa System, is notably less expensive as well (also less track capable though).
For most track rats, Trofeo R price alone is reason enough to explore alternatives. And along with limited available sizes, the price could preclude the P Zero Trofeo R from becoming a common tire option for a variety of performance/track cars and track junkies.
For the price one might expect the P Zero Trofeo R to be an ideal tire in most contexts. Immense performance at the track, and (relatively speaking) comfortable and exploitable on the road. In our experience, the P Zero Trofeo R delivers plenty of track performance when all of the variables come together just right, but that's about it.
To end on a positive note, we have found the Trofeo R to be a durable track/performance tire. We've put almost 4,000 street and track miles on our set now, and they're still providing superlative traction when everything comes together on a dry track. We'll be sitting out the wet sessions from here on out though...
Related: Nitto NT01 review
The P Zero Trofeo R is a high quality performance track tire no doubt, but is it that much better than top tier extreme performance summer options?
By "that" we mean the P Zero Trofeo R is about $520 more per set than the tried-and-true Bridgestone Potenza RE-11, and over $600 more per set than the Ventus R-S4 in 245/35/ZR19 sizing. Step up to the Z/28's 305s, and the dollar difference is even more drastic.
While the P Zero Trofeo R's ultimate performance is beyond question, the original equipment price premium applied here is borderline unreasonable. Even the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 is less expensive, and that's Porsche 991 GT3 original equipment. The sister streetable track & competition tire from Pirelli, the Pirelli P Zero Corsa System, is notably less expensive as well (also less track capable though).
For most track rats, Trofeo R price alone is reason enough to explore alternatives. And along with limited available sizes, the price could preclude the P Zero Trofeo R from becoming a common tire option for a variety of performance/track cars and track junkies.
For the price one might expect the P Zero Trofeo R to be an ideal tire in most contexts. Immense performance at the track, and (relatively speaking) comfortable and exploitable on the road. In our experience, the P Zero Trofeo R delivers plenty of track performance when all of the variables come together just right, but that's about it.
To end on a positive note, we have found the Trofeo R to be a durable track/performance tire. We've put almost 4,000 street and track miles on our set now, and they're still providing superlative traction when everything comes together on a dry track. We'll be sitting out the wet sessions from here on out though...
Related: Nitto NT01 review
Before you buy the P Zero Trofeo R or any tires...
Jump over to our Tire Deals section to take advantage of available tire coupons and rebates. Also, review our important Pre-Purchase Checklist for Tires to make sure you purchase a tire that fits your needs.
Jump over to our Tire Deals section to take advantage of available tire coupons and rebates. Also, review our important Pre-Purchase Checklist for Tires to make sure you purchase a tire that fits your needs.
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