Pirelli Self-Supporting Run Flat Technology

 

Pirelli Run Flat: Perfect Thanks to the Robots

For some time, the car world has been increasingly directing its attention and investments towards a tyre capable of ensuring performance and safety even in the event of a complete loss of pressure, to the point that the tyre literally "runs flat". Leading manufacturers have been involved with the development of various solutions, which have then fallen into decline.

The Self-Supporting Run Flat resists this trend. In fact, it's progressing, achieving a growing market share. Pirelli has wholeheartedly embraced the maximum needs and performance of the car from as far back as the 1970's, when it developed its 17" Scorpion BK for the extreme Lamborghini LM002 off-road vehicle.
Since then, this technology has been optimised, step by step, always with an eye towards cars and SUVs of high and ultra-high performance, which are Pirelli 's natural preserve for original equipment on a world scale.

This Hi-Tech Total Mobility solution is also made possible thanks to the MIRS™ robotised system; an absolutely exclusive Pirelli production process which is entrusted entirely to computers - but always under final manual control - and the resultant guarantee of maximum perfection and reliability. One of the tyre types produced by MIRS™ , in which Pirelli is making significant investment in Europe and the United States, is the Run Flat , which is manufactured exclusively using this system.
Pirelli Self-Supporting Run Flat tyres have  perfect structural continuity, which the world market is now demanding in an increasing variety of sizes with different characteristics, to facilitate the inexorable evolution of technical requirements for vehicles of increasing weight and greater speed. It is no coincidence that demand for Run Flat in both original equipment and replacement markets in Europe and North America increased by almost 7,000% between 2000 and 2004. Pirelli has responded by achieving a European market share close to 20%, particularly with tyres resultant of the constant technological refinement in both the product and the production process, utilising new concept, stronger reinforcing materials. In recent years, the increase in the number of homologations in 16" to 18" sizes has been such that it has created a basis for entry into the Run Flat UHP segment of 19" and 20" diameters and 30% and 35% aspect ratios. Pirelli 's current portfolio includes Summer, All-Season and Winter Self-Supporting Run Flat tyres. The company has also prepared the first Self-Supporting Run Flat for SUV's, to be marketed in the near future.