Bespoke versions of the Pirelli P Zero R have been developed for the new Audi RS 5 and RS 3 Competition Limited. Designed to balance everyday usability with track performance, the tires have been developed with a focus on improved grip and shorter braking distances. Audi RS was among the first to adopt the P Zero R. The fitments build on more than 25 years of collaboration between Pirelli and Audi Sport in developing tailored tires for high-performance vehicles.
Ad-hoc development
Audi’s primary objective was braking performance. The P Zero R has been designed to approach the levels of performance of the semi-slick Trofeo R, delivering very short stopping distances and consistent deceleration under demanding conditions. To achieve this, Pirelli’s R&D center in Breuberg, working closely with its Milan headquarters, developed a new compound drawing on motorsport expertise.
The compound is optimized for strong grip even when cold, supporting Audi’s focus on safety and control during braking. While offering performance close to track-focused tires, the P Zero R remains suitable for everyday use and delivers improved efficiency, as reflected in its European label rating compared with other ultra-high-performance tires.
“The tire is the only connection between the vehicle and the road surface. Therefore, it plays a significant role in chassis development, especially in our RS models, where excellent handling has paramount importance,” said Steffen Bamberger, head of technical development at Audi Sport. “Plus a close, collaborative partnership is essential to achieving this level of performance.”
A balance of road and track
The RS 3 Competition Limited, created to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the five-cylinder engine, features a coilover suspension, increased top speed and ceramic brakes, thus providing impressive driving dynamics.
Two tire options are available. The standard P Zero R offers strong grip in both dry and wet conditions while balancing everyday comfort with sporty performance. For more track-focused use, the P Zero Trofeo R semi-slick is road-legal but designed primarily for the circuit. Its asymmetrical tread and motorsport-derived compound deliver high levels of dry grip, improved stability and lateral support, and shorter braking distances.
Joint development
The development process leveraged digital simulation both at Pirelli and Audi’s R&D centers to simulate tire behavior, taking into account weight distribution and contact patch, and to optimize the management of high torque and wear resistance. Physical tests then confirmed the virtual data through joint sessions on some of the most demanding circuits in the world, from the Nürburgring Nordschleife for handling and durability to test tracks in Spain and laboratories in Milan.
Precision tire for RS level dynamics
The RS 5, Audi Sport’s first high-performance plug-in hybrid, required the development of a new high-load (HL) tire size. The structure of the P Zero R has been reinforced to support the greater weight of the hybrid components, while ensuring the driving precision required for an Audi RS vehicle. This tire allows the high torque of the hybrid system to be effectively transferred to the road, offering greater grip and stability.
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