Pirelli Self-Supporting Run Flat Technology

 

Pirelli Run Flat: Perfect Thanks to the Robots

For some time, the car world has been directing its attention and investments towards a tyre capable of ensuring performance and safety - even in the event of a "flat." Mechanisms and patents have changed throughout the years but each has eventually fallen into decline. But the Self-Supporting Run Flat remains. In fact, it's progressed and dominated the industry with a fast-growing market share

With this state-of-the-art tyre, Pirelli has married the technology developed in the 1970s for our 17" Scorpion BK (for the extreme Lamborghini LM002 off-road vehicle) with the high performance needs of today's vehicles and SUVs. This hi-tech, total mobility solution has also been made possible thanks to the MIRS™ robotized system. Exclusive to Pirelli , this system uses computers to streamline the tyre production process and guarantee perfection and reliability - every time. Pirelli uses the MIRS™ system to produce the Run Flat tyre and has invested heavily in its production throughout Europe and the United States.

Pirelli's Self-Supporting Run Flat tyres maintain structure perfection and a total lack of discontinuity. Due to the increasing weight and speed of modern day vehicles, the demand for a tyre as advanced as the Run Flat is continuously on the rise. In fact, the demand for the Run Flat in Europe and North America (for the combined original equipment and replacement markets) increased by almost 7,000% between 2000 and 2004. Pirelli has responded by achieving a European market share close to 20%. In recent years, the increase in the number of homologations in 16" to 18" sizes has sparked entry into the Run Flat UHP segment, with 19" and 20" diameters and 30% and 35% aspect ratios. Pirelli' s current portfolio already 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 - fitted and ready for active testing. They plan to be marketed in the near future.

This Hi-Tech Total Mobility solution is made possible also thanks to the MIRS™ robotized system; an absolute Pirelli exclusive, a production process, which is entrusted entirely to computers - but always under the final control of man - and the guarantee of an end result 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 constantly manufactured using this system.
Pirelli Self-Supporting Run Flat tyres are of perfect structure and have a total lack of discontinuity, which the world market is now demanding in an increasing variety of sizes with different characteristics, to facilitate the by now unstoppable evolution of technical requirements for vehicles of increasing weight and greater speed. It is no coincidence that demand for the Run Flat by the combined 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%, but particularly with tyres born of constant technological refinement for both the product and the production process by using new concept reinforcing materials of greater resistance. In recent years, the increase in the number of homologations in 16" to 18" sizes has been such as to create a basis for entry into the Run Flat UHP segment with 19" and 20" diameters and 30% and 35% aspect ratios. Pirelli 's current portfolio already 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, fitted, ready for active testing and to be marketed in the near future.