Pirelli Presents Scorpion Verde the First "Green" Tyre for SUV Drivers

BARCELONA, Spain, March 18, 2010 - Pirelli presents Scorpion Verde, the first high-performance
eco-friendly tyre for SUVs and Crossovers at the Idiada International Testing
Circuit in Barcelona (Catalonia). Scorpion Verde boasts new materials and a
new structure guaranteeing steady performance throughout the tyre's life,
lower noxious emissions, noise reduction, running economy, shorter braking
distances, and comfort.

(Photo:
www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100317/382676 )

Savings and durability. Scorpion Verde is made entirely of
aromatic oil-free materials, and lowers fuel consumption up to 3.9% for city
driving and of 3.4% for mixed routes (city and motorway driving). It curbs
acoustic emissions by one decibel, which is equal to a total reduction of 30%
(like removing an entire lane from a three-lane motorway). In addition,
Scorpion Verde was designed to ensure uniform tread wear and increase overall
duration. The ecological features of Pirelli's new tyre range are guaranteed
by a combination of factors: the development of an optimised profile, the use
of cutting-edge materials, an optimised design process and reducing energy
dissipation. These features translate into 20% lower rolling resistance. The
Scorpion Verde is also lighter and has been designed to use 10% fewer raw
materials, decreasing its environmental impact per unit produced by the same
amount.

Comfort and safety on all road types. Scorpion Verde combines
ecological features with performance: improved braking, greater traction on
wet surfaces and better handling. Its new materials integrate the latest
technologies: nano-filler particles within the compounds and a polymer
structure that helps the tyre adapt to various road conditions; and hybrid
fibres, which combine different materials to achieve diverse performance.
Scorpion Verde was developed to ensure improved safety on wet asphalt thanks
to a tread pattern with 4 deep longitudinal grooves for increased water
dispersion, innovative compounds designed to achieve greater traction on wet
surfaces, and reinforced shoulders to optimise lateral grip on all asphalt
conditions.

Scorpion Verde is the latest addition to Pirelli's range of
"Green Performance" eco-friendly tyres, inaugurated in 2008 with the return
of the Cinturato line in the P4 and P6 versions. In 2009, these were expanded
to include the P7, the first ecological tyre for medium and high-powered
cars. Scorpion Verde, available on the replacement market from April 2010,
completes the Scorpion tyre range, which already includes the ATR for 4×4s,
and the Scorpion Zero, developed for top-of-the-range SUVs.

www.pirellityre.com

Photo:
www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100317/382676

Pirelli Tyre Press Office, Tel. +39-02-6442-4270 - pressoffice at pirelli.com