Pirelli: Car

Pirelli confirmed as exclusive Formula One tyre supplier from 2011

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 12:00:00 +0200

Pirelli confirmed as exclusive Formula One tyre supplier from 2011 The Italian tyre firm will supply all the Formula One teams from 2011-2013 with six types of tyre: four for dry weather, one for rain and one intermediate tyre.

Pirelli – which has supplied tyres exclusively for the GP3 championship this year – will also supply the GP2 championship from 2011, becoming the sole provider of tyres for the most prestigious single-seater championships in global motorsport.

The Milan-based firm is already present in the World Rally Championship, the World Superbike Championship, the Rolex Sports Car Series in North America, the Motocross World Championship and several other national championships for both cars and bikes.

Pirelli will supply tyres to the Formula One World Championship for a three-year period between 2011 and 2013.

The FIA (Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile), the Teams, represented by FOTA (the Formula One Teams Association), and Formula One's organising body, represented by FOM (Formula One Management) have chosen Pirelli as their exclusive supplier, based on the specific proposals from the Italian company to guarantee technical and operational stability to the competitors.

Following current Formula One regulations laid down by world motorsport's governing body, the FIA, the new contract ensures that Pirelli will provide teams with six different types of tyre for the season: four slicks, with different compounds for various types of dry surfaces, one rain tyre for heavy rain, and one intermediate tyre for damp conditions or light rain.

The current economic climate has led to a realistic and collaborative approach with all the teams, ensuring that manufacturing and logistical costs are shared fairly.

Pirelli's return to Formula One also has a firm eye on the future, as in full collaboration with all the teams, research into innovative new tyre developments is a vital part of this exciting programme.

Pirelli is also proud to announce that it will supply the GP2 World Series – the acknowledged stepping-stone to Formula One – for the three-year period between 2011-2013.

Pirelli's latest participation at the highest levels of single-seater racing make a welcome addition to the celebrated Italian firm's other motorsport activities including, from this year, a tyre supply agreement for the inaugural GP3 series. Pirelli will consequently become the single supplier to all the most prestigious racing championships in the world from 2011.

Pirelli is planning to make important investments in corporate communications, in order to make the most of the high profile and cutting-edge technology that go hand in hand with supplying Formula One, using resources and budget that has already been set aside for this purpose.

This communications campaign will principally help to support Pirelli's increasing profile in emerging markets: Latin America, the Middle East and Asia Pacific, which are all areas frequently visted by Formula One.

Consequently Formula One will become a vital calling card for the Pirelli brand, helping its commercial and industrial expansion without disrupting the company's long-term financial strategy.

The global visibility guaranteed through extensive media interest in Formula One, together with dynamic plans to leverage Pirelli's involvement in an activity central to the company's core business, represents a unique opportunity for the brand to maximise its return on investment.

This new Formula One agreement crowns Pirelli's historic involvement in world motorsport, which dates back to 1907 when the Italian fim won the epic Paris-Peking road race. Pirelli currently exclusively supplies some of the most important World Championships for both cars and bikes, such as the GP3 series, the World Rally Championship, the Rolex Sports Car Series in North America, the World Superbike Championship, and the Motocross World Championship. On top of this, Pirelli also supplies more than 70 other national and international championships. The last Grand Prix victory claimed by Pirelli was the 1991 Canadian Grand Prix, with Nelson Piquet driving for Benetton.

Pirelli will be available to provide further details on the tyre supply agreement tomorrow, 24 June 2010, at 2.30 p.m. CEST during a conference call, in which the Chairman of Pirelli & C., Marco Tronchetti Provera, and the CEO of Pirelli Tyre, Francesco Gori, will intervene. Journalists will be able to participate by telephone, with the possibility to ask questions, by calling the number: +39 06 3348 5042 or +39 06 3348 6868 or +39 06 33168 and then dialing *0 . (Emergency line for problems to connect: +39 06 334844 or +39 06 33444 551).

The presentation will also be available via webcast – in real time – on the website www.pirelli.com in the Media – Press Area section.

More information, as well as photographs and videos, are available at: www.pirelli.com/web/media/press_area/default.page

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Pirelli: 'Sustainability Yearbook 2010', world sector leader for the third year in a row

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 16:00:00 +0200

Pirelli: 'Sustainability Yearbook 2010', world sector leader for the third year in a row

Pirelli confirms and improves its leadership in sustainability. The '2010 Sustainability Yearbook' not only places the Italian group as 'Sector Leader' and 'Gold Class Company' in the 'Autoparts and Tyres' sector for the third year in a row, but also awards the company, for the first time, the title of 'Sector Mover' thanks to further significant growth in terms of sustainable performance. Pirelli has thus obtained all three of the prestigious top titles, confirming its leadership in sustainability in its industry both at worldwide level and in Italy.

Edited by SAM Group, the Swiss Asset Manager responsible for the evaluations for admission to the Dow Jones sustainability indices, and by PriceWaterhouseCoopers, the 'Sustainability Yearbook' is considered the most complete and authoritative publication in the world on trends and corporate performance in terms of sustainability.

Another tyre revolution: Pirelli introduces Scorpion ATR

Wed, 07 Jun 2006 00:00:00 +0200

Another tyre revolution: Pirelli introduces Scorpion ATR Another tyre revolution: Pirelli introduces Scorpion ATR, the Scorpion Range's ultimate evolution

Tozeur, May 2006 In line with the innovative orientation that has always distinguished it, Pirelli introduces onto the market the latest development of its off-road and SUV Scorpion tyre range. A range which, in practice, constitutes an authentic brand in itself, by virtue of the fact that the tyres are specific products, conceived and produced with their own commercial profile and are able to meet the most diverse needs. The new Scorpion ATR is the result of an intense and prolonged development programme, which started out by using the Scorpion A/T as a basis, a tyre already extremely effective and well established, which enabled the company to create a new product that is absolutely transversal in its versatility of use: a concentration of utilisation potential and product characteristics.

It is by virtue of these overall innovative characteristics as is well evidenced by the slogan Another Tyre Revolution that the new Pirelli Scorpion ATR will practically create its own specific market segment. In fact, it is the only 4x4 tyre of its kind able to boast optimum characteristics of silent running on asphalt roads in relation to its specific category, guaranteeing at the same time a notable speed capability two aspects that reinforce the innovative nature of the product. Fortified by its absolutely avant-garde DNA, Pirellis latest new product satisfies the needs of the most diverse spread of end users, adapting itself to the latest SUV variants: it guarantees high performance, drivability and mileage values at the top of its category. In fact, from the start of the project the Pirelli development team had as their primary objective the creation of a tyre that could affront demanding terrain without difficulty, as well as the high speed of motorways. A transversal tyre for all kinds of SUVs and pick-ups, independent of their torque, mass to be carried, type of transmission and suspension of the vehicle to which it is fitted.

The Scorpion family
Launched exactly 25 years ago with the then already revolutionary Scorpion Run Flat for the Lamborghini LM002 high performance off-roader, down the decades the Pirelli Scorpion family of tyres has evolved and broadened to satisfy the most diverse requirements and to respond to needs as numerous as they are diversified. In addition, Pirelli was one of the first tyre manufacturers to create a specialised range of tyres for the 4x4 vehicle world. Altogether, Pirelli Scorpion tyres have achieved greater growth in their specific area, the brand recording an increase in market share in countries throughout the world year after year - further confirmation of the level of appreciation Pirelli Scorpion products have attained among their international clientele. The evolution of the many Scorpions following the very first Scorpion Run Flat for the Lamborghini LM002, has over the years seen the continual innovation of the development frontiers from Pirelli for this family of products in line with, and often anticipating the user demands and application trends.The Scorpion FD44 made its debut in 1987, six years after which came the Scorpion A/S, followed in 1997 by the first Scorpion Zero. Next came the widely used Scorpion S/T, the winter Scorpion called the Scorpion Ice & Snow, launched in 2001 and, three years ago, the Scorpion STR and Scorpion Zero Asimmetrico. The latter is a tyre widely adopted among SUVs launched on the market in recent times and is accredited with being capable of handling the high horsepower and torque on the most powerful and fastest SUVs. Now, the Tunisian debut of the Scorpion ATR is todays story.

A multi purpose tyre
The new Pirelli Scorpion ATR is, in substance, an all terrain tyre in the truest sense of the word. It offers the driver and vehicle notable levels of mobility and manoeuvrability on loose, off road surfaces, as it does a high degree of comfort on asphalt roads, on which its silent running and optimum steering precision excel, especially useful in every day driving. And it is on the basis of those aspects that a range of Scorpion ATR sizes and diameters have been created that enables the tyre to become an optimum product for vehicles very different from each other.

The Scorpion ATR sizes range from those for the small Suzuki Jimny to the Hummer H2 and H3 by way of the Jeep Wrangler and Toyota Land Cruiser, while in the case of the pick-up the sales of which are rapidly increasing across Europe and top the sales charts in the United States Pirellis latest new tyre is fitted to famous multi-purpose vehicles like the Mitsubishi L200 as well as American models that lead their category, such as the Dodge RAM, GMC Sierra and Ford Series F.

It is precisely due to the undoubted quality of the Scorpion ATR that Pirelli has become an original equipment supplier to the Ford F-150, for many years the biggest selling vehicle of all in the United States, with a 20-inch diameter version of the new tyre. This is a result of absolute importance to Pirelli, as it is further confirmation of the excellence of the Scorpion ATR project and one that, once again, re-states Pirellis avant-garde role in the world tyre industry. Pirelli is a company intent on ensuring the consumer is provided in the shortest possible time with any and all technological progress achieved in its research laboratories and test centres across the world.

The evolution of SUVs and their tyres
Over the years, the taste and orientation of customers have been subjected to drastic regeneration, due to factors external to the market itself. The elements at the root of those changes are, for example, the greater buying power of the younger generations, the substantial increase in the number of freelance professionals with which is associated the growing diffusion of part-time jobs, greater attention being paid to additional employment activities and so on. It is also true, however, that the decidedly increased offer and substantial number of available resourceful models, developed for leisure time have had their influence on the situation, broadening almost to infinity 4x4 model availability and not only - of every kind and species.

The evolution of SUVs and their tyres
Over the years, the taste and orientation of customers have been subjected to drastic regeneration, due to factors external to the market itself. The elements at the root of those changes are, for example, the greater buying power of the younger generations, the substantial increase in the number of freelance professionals with increased leisure time cultivating a requirement for the development of true recreational vehicles. The more recent explosion of the exotic hard tuning of SUVs has been the driving force behind the exponential increase in the larger width and wheel diameter fitments as part of a cosmetic vehicle personalisation, but has also redefined the inevitable tread of the vehicle manufacturers to offer technically more sopisticated fitments. The number and types of vehicles developed for both work and leisure time have had their influence on this evolution, broadening almost to infinity 4x4 model availability and not only - of every kind and species.

Until a few years ago, the big off-road vehicles were in the minority and had well-defined end users refined for the Range Rover and Jeep Grand Cherokee, oriented towards the great open spaces for the Nissan Patrol and Mitsubishi Pajero, more multi-purpose for the Mercedes-Benz G Class and Toyota Land Cruiser. But now, the situation has switched to the opposite extreme, with dozens and dozens of models, engine capacities, trim levels, body variants and wheelbases available. Pirelli has been able to anticipate this ever-changing situation by offering ranges over the years that were suited to the growth and diversification of the 4x4 market SUV, off-road and pick-up launching innovative products that have fascinated vehicle manufacturers and members of the public alike. That is confirmed, for instance, by the total and absolute success of the Scorpion Zero Asimmetrico, a 4x4 tyre of extremely high performance, widely fitted to the off-roaders and SUVs that were much admired at the 2006 Geneva International Motor Show last March.

Returning to the evolution of SUVs, by way of an example it is worth remembering that in the Eighties the Range Rover was powered by a 3.9 litre V8 engine that generated 188 hp, weighed just over two tons and was shod with 205R16T tyres. The models currently in production have increased little in cubic capacity (4.4 litres) but their power output has more than doubled (up to 395 hp) and the dimensions of their tyres have increased to 20 inches (255/50R20Y), adopting the Y speed rating, which is usually the preserve of extremely powerful sports cars.

As in the case with the Range Rover and any other model in the category, the complexity of the range of 4x4 vehicles that have been created demands that their tyres should be equally able to adapt themselves. So for a single range of models, like the Volkswagen Touareg for the European market, there are 12 different tyre sizes in summer, winter and all-season derivatives, which then become up to 16 different dimensions in the United States in the case of the Ford F-250 and F-350, which are exclusively of the all-season variety.

The genetic patrimony of the Scorpion ATR
As well as experience gathered and indoor/outdoor research and development carried out by Pirellis engineers, the technology inherent in the new Scorpion ATR has fully benefited from feedback derived from the commitment of Pirelli Competizioni to rallying, from the World Rally Championship to national series. New developments verified and tested in rallying become added parameters of evaluation, a factor which is extremely beneficial to the development of the Scorpion tyres carcass, plies, shoulders and tread blocks, as it is to their tread compounds and materials, all of which are subjected to severe stress on loose surfaces, like those of the rallies of Mexico and Italy (Sardinia) and the asphalt of Corsica or the compacted gravel of Finland.

As a result of such analyses - testing and updating, using state-of-the-art techniques and technical equipment, studying designs, profiles and materials down to the most minute detail - Pirellis technicians were able to define an ideal mix from which to conceive the new Scorpion ATR. From the constructional point of view, the adoption of two steel belts with a double layer of zero degree nylon to produce a rigid belt composite should be emphasised, together with the latest Pirelli developments in carcass materials resulting in a robust dual ply polyester construction with substantial reinforcement in the bead and lower sidewall.
Regarding the tread, the elevated performance that distinguishes the Scorpion ATR is derived from the geometrical layout of the tread blocks and the siping orientation.

The geometry and relative mobility of the tread elements are fundamental factors in ensuring high mileage and uniform tread wear, optimisation of the footprint area and contact pressure, increasing traction and braking values whilst reducing rolling noise. The footprint is characterised by an almost continuous rib in the centre of the tread which produces a substantial improvement in stability and sharpens steering precision. The generously dimensioned grooves ensure a high degree of mechanical grip on slippery or loose surfaces, provide optimum water drainage in the critical condition of aquaplaning and, by virtue of the variable inclination of the tread blocks, facilitates the self- cleaning effect of the grooves. The longitudinal grooving increases aquaplaning resistance and, at the same time, optimises the footprint flexibility to give a more uniform distribution of ground contact pressure.

The perfectly radial grooves in the shoulders deserve particular mention, as they provide the extreme efficiency of the traction and braking, while the staggered alignment of the shoulder blocks play a key role in increasing the level of traction on slippery surfaces. The linear siping of the shoulder blocks designed by Pirelli reduces rolling noise and, at the same time, optimises the uniformity of the treads contact area.

The excellence of those selected elements and the technological innovations inherent in the new Scorpion ATR are confirmed by a comprehensive series of tests carried out by Ford in the United States to evaluate the performance of tyres adopted as original equipment, not only in the case of full vertical load of the vehicle, but also from the point of view of traction with trailers and semi-trailers a normal condition for pick-ups on American roads.

An additional but increasingly more important factor for customers customer satisfaction is the aesthetic appearance of the tyre. As is the tradition with Pirelli products, the Scorpion ATR has achieved a target of a aggressive and elegant design at the same time, which characterises the tyres of the Italian manufacturer. The dynamic appearance of the Scorpion ATRs tread pattern, the possibility of having white lettering on the sidewalls in the case of varied dimensions and the sizes that range between 15 and 24 inches, are added value for a tyre destined for widespread sale both for the OE market and the increasingly popular tuner activity. For example the Ford F-150, of which hundreds of thousands are sold each year in the United States and which has a notable presence in South America, is now fitted with the 20-inch Scorpion ATR.

Key Comparative Tests in Germany: Pirelli Summer Tyres on the Top

Wed, 15 Mar 2006 03:45:00 +0200

Key Comparative Tests in Germany: Pirelli Summer Tyres on the Top Milan, 15 March 2006 - The most important summer tyre comparative tests carried out recently in Germany saw Pirelli surpass all other competitors many times and achieve outstanding ratings. This despite the severity of the tests, conducted by the top car magazines as well as ADAC, the country's motoring organisation that plays a leading role in all the provinces of the Federal Republic of Germany.

These extremely favourable test results once again confirm the high standards of quality of the Italian manufacturer's tyres, which shone in the various test categories, and repeated the excellent results achieved in recent months by Pirelli's winter tyre ranges.

The specialist magazine "ADAC Motorwelt" attributed a "highly recommended" rating to P Zero Nero in size 225/45 R17Y and to the Pirelli P6 in 185/60 R14H. Another prestigious publication, "Auto, Motor und Sport" , exalted the Pirelli Eufori@ Run Flat tyre in 225/45 R17W (a size largely destined for BMW) and the Pirelli P7, that achieved a positive result in size 215/55R16W.

"Auto Zeitung" rated the Pirelli P6 as "highly recommended" after the tests to which it subjected the tyre in 185/60 R14H, while "Gute Fahrt" magazine tested the Pirelli P7, which resulted in the tyre - in size 205/55 R 16V - being rated "very good" and winning the classification of the test published by this German magazine.
The magazine "Auto Bild Alles Allrad" tested the Scorpion Zero in dimension 235/65 R17V. The Pirelli tyre is the clear winner of the test with the result "very recommendable". "Auto Bild" tested the Pirelli P6 in the dimension 195/65 R 15 H, with the final rating "recommendable". "Auto Bild Sportscars" tested the PZero Nero; in the dimension 235/35 R19Y, this Pirelli UHP tyre achieved another positive result ("recommendable").

So Pirelli is able to offer customers a range of summer tyres that ensures first class global performance, which are at the top both from the technical and yield standpoints.
It is for these reasons that Pirelli summer and winter tyres are continually rated among the best in many of these comparative tests carried out each year by official and independent organisations, automobile clubs and specialist publications throughout Europe.

Pirelli to fit new models from Ferrari and Lamborghini in Geneva

Mon, 27 Feb 2006 17:47:00 +0200

Pirelli to fit new models from Ferrari and Lamborghini in Geneva

AT THE GENEVA INTERNATIONAL MOTORSHOW PIRELLI TO EQUIP EUROPE 'S TOP OF THE RANGE CAR INDUSTRY MODELS. AMONG THE PREMIERES EQUIPPED WITH PIRELLI, THE FERRARI 599GTB, LAMBORGHINI NEW MURCIELAGO, ALFA ROMEO 159 SPORTWAGON AND SPIDER, VOLVO S80, AUDI S8 AND THE PEUGEOT 207
SIGNIFICANT PIRELLI PRESENCE ALSO ON THE MOST POWERFUL AND PRESTIGIOUS CONCEP CAR SUCH AS ASTON MARTIN RAPIDE, LAMBORGHINI MIURA, ISOTTA FRASCHINI AND THE OFF-ROAD VEHICLE "OLTRE FIAT"

Milan, 27 February 2006 - Pirelli is equipping the main new models from Ferrari, Lamborghini, Alfa Romeo, Volvo, Audi and Peugeot presented at the 76 Geneva International Motorshow, along with the most powerful and prestigious concept car such as Aston Martin Rapide, Lamborghini Miura, Isotta Fraschini and the off-road vehicle "Oltre Fiat".

In particular, among the worldwide premires fitted with Pirelli ultra high performance tyres are the Ferrari 599 GTB, the Lamborghini New Murcielago, the Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon and Spider, the Volvo S80 and the Peugeot 207.

Elsewhere at the Geneva Motorshow, Pirelli is also equipping models from Jaguar, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Volvo with the high performance tyres P6 and P7.

On the concept cars scene, Pirelli equips the high performance four-door sports car Aston Martin Rapide, the Lamborghini Miura, Isotta Fraschini, and "Oltre Fiat" based on the new military "off-road" vehicle from Iveco.

At the Geneva Motorshow Pirelli is also present with the innovative system X-Pressure Optic for the tyres pressure control which is fitted on the Fiat Panda MultiEco and Ferrari F430 Challenge.

The Pirelli presence on the main models from the world's most prestigious car brands with the high performance products from the PZero, Run Flat and Scorpion ranges, confirms the company's positive growth trend on the original equipment and aftermarket sector in Europe and in the United States as well as its positioning in the higher market segments.

The company's partnerships with the major automotive Groups with whom Pirelli has always worked extremely closely on the technological development of its products continues in Europe with the brands Ferrari, Bentley, Maserati, Aston Martin, Lamborghini, Porsche, BMW, Peugeot, Fiat, Daimler Chrysler, and in the United States with the brands Ford, Cadillac, Dodge, Chevrolet. The significant presence of the PZero high performance tyres and Run Flat Eufori@ on the main models from the american car manufacturers at the recent Detroit and Los Angeles Motorshows confirms again Pirelli's positive growth on the original equipment sector in the United States .
The Company's positive performance is further confirmed by the results for the first nine months of 2005, which saw an increase of sales of 9,8% (+7% on a like-for-like basis) and a 25% growth in operating income with a ROS of 10%.

Pirelli Ranks Highest in South Africa Tyre Satisfaction

Wed, 15 Feb 2006 00:00:00 +0200

Pirelli Ranks Highest in South Africa Tyre Satisfaction Pirelli Ranks Highest in South Africa Tyre Satisfaction for a Second Consecutive Year

London, 15 February 2006 - J.D. Power and Associates have announced that Pirelli has won the 2005 Original Equipment Tyre Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) StudySM for the second year running. This means that owners of new vehicles equipped with Pirelli tyres have the most satisfying ownership experience of any tyre fitted as OE on the South African market.

With an overall CSI score of 841 based on a 1000-point scale, five index points separated Pirelli from second-place Michelin (836) out of a total of 10 tyre brands which were ranked in the study.

The tyre CSI study is a comprehensive measurement of the ownership satisfaction with the tyres equipped on new vehicles at the time of purchase. The study identifies four factors that contribute to overall satisfaction, which are weighted to reflect what is most important to South African motorists. The four factors of satisfaction are as follows (the importance of each factor in determining overall satisfaction is shown as a percentage):

- Tyre quality and durability (50%)
- Tyre ride/handling (18%)
- Tyre appearance (16%)
- Tyre traction (16%)

Pirelli received the highest ratings in three of the four tyre CSI categories: tyre appearance, tyre traction and tyre ride/handling.

"Although most new-vehicle buyers don't choose which tyres come with their new vehicles, they are in the best position to evaluate how those tyres perform under the rigours of daily driving," said Brian Walters, senior director of European operations at J.D. Power and Associates. "Among the rewards of having high customer satisfaction are increased levels of brand advocacy and loyalty. Not surprisingly, Michelin and Pirelli have the highest proportion of owners saying they 'definitely will' recommend the tyre brand to a friend, relative or colleague at 42 percent and 40 percent, respectively. Michelin and Pirelli owners also have the highest repurchase intent at 33 percent and 28 percent, respectively."

Commenting on the award, an elated Managing Director of Pirelli Tyre South Africa, Gianluca Lionetto says, "We are deeply honored to have received our customers' approval for the second year in a row. The JD Power O.E. Customer Satisfaction Award confirms Pirelli's strong focus on quality. The exponential growth of our share in the South African O.E. market is a way to keep on delighting our customer base. Customers Satisfaction is always our top priority".

J.D. Power and Associates is recognised across the globe as the leading independent authority on consumer-reported quality and customer satisfaction in the automotive industry. The firm's primary role is to provide a better understanding of consumer preferences and buying patterns, which helps automotive manufacturers and suppliers further improve their product quality and service levels. The firm also provides study results to consumers for use as a reference point when purchasing a new vehicle.

The J.D. Power and Associates 2005 South Africa Tyre CSI study is based on questionnaire responses from more than 6900 owners of new vehicles first registered between October 2003 and September 2004. The study is conducted independently by J.D. Power and Associates with cooperation from the South Africa Department of Transport, which facilitated the distribution of the questionnaires.

South African Launch of the 2006 Pirelli Calendar

Fri, 02 Dec 2005 00:00:00 +0200

South African Launch of the 2006 Pirelli Calendar Johannesburg, 2 December 2005 - The 2006 edition of the Pirelli Calendar , a cult object for more than 40 years for people who love photography, beauty, and the evolution of society,has been launched in Johannesburg on Friday night

Its an honour for Pirelli South Africa to launch yet another beautiful edition of the cal. Villa Arcadia in Parktown is the perfect backdrop to our third consecutive launch in this country. Also in SA, the calendar is finally reclaiming its place as a fashion icon says Daniele Carta - marketing manager, Pirelli Tyre (Pty) Ltd.

The Cal 2006 by the consolidated British-Turkish duo, Mert Alas and Marcus Piggot, world renowned photographers that specialize in womens portraits, was shot in a striking 60s-like setting on the French Riviera and stars six extraordinarily beautiful and sensual women.

Jennifer Lopez , making her Pirelli Calendar debut, Giselle Bundchen (chosen for the 2001 calendar by Mario Testino), Guinevere Van Seenus , Kate Moss (who made her debut in the famous 1994 Herb Ritts edition), Karen Elson (who first appeared in the Herb Ritts 1999 calendar and also appearing in the 2001 edition by Mario Testino), and Natalia Vodianova (who made her debut in 2003 with Bruce Weber and also starred in Nick Knights 2004 edition) are nude, sexy and gorgeous in 27 shots that make up the most transgressive edition of The Cal.

Seduction and freedom of expression are the absolute protagonists of the 2006 Pirelli Calendar,whose linking thread could be summed up in the expression libres et puissantes. Aware of their fame and beauty, the six models feel free to undress and appear sensual and intriguing. The body is portrayed as a free instrument of power: sensuality becomes a dolphin on a leash or a cat securely held in the nude arms of a naughty girl. True contemporary icons, the interpreters posed with impeccable professionalism, creating an immediate feeling with two of the worlds greatest photographers.

The Alas-Piggot duo has an innovative, versatile style. Merts tenacity blends perfectly with Marcus inventiveness, and the result is an elegant and very personal approach to photography: provocative and opulent, the mainly black and white photos (except for subtle splashes of color on the cover and in the months of March and November) evoke Newton-like moods and portray an inebriating, wicked woman. Everything revolves around the models, and there is great freedom. We create images that follow no rules, underlined Mert. The photo shoot was an experience where everything flowed and was very natural, added Marcus.

The extraordinary settings offered by Cap dAntibes and the French Riviera are extremely elegant. The sea, the cliffs plunging into the water, luxurious yachts and fabulous villas with sumptuous gardens are the backdrops for this edition. Water is a dominant element that accentuates the shine of the skin and creates extraordinary light effects on wet bodies, which makes the photos particularly sensuous and enticing. Strong, sexy black and white amplifies and completes the effects of the sea. The modern and original photos have a sixties and seventies mood nonetheless, blending tradition and innovation, which the two photographers use to impress their very personal mark of distinction upon the calendar and simultaneously pay homage to its historical significance and the legend that has accompanied it over the years.

The launch of the 2006 calendar coincides with the birth of www.pirellical.com , the new portal devoted to The Cal that presents 42 years of the history of photography. Three years from the launch of the first official website, the legend of the Pirelli Calendar is also renewed online, with new and exclusive contents.

Porsche Parade 2005

Fri, 28 Oct 2005 00:00:00 +0200

Porsche Parade 2005 Cape Town, 28 October 2005 - The Mother City played host to the 21st annual Porsche Parade from October 19 - 24, with a record 110 Porsches participating from around South Africa.

Drivers, young and old, male and female competed in 11 classes for honours in time trial and autocross events at Killarney race track; top end run and quarter mile sprints at Overberg Air force Base and shine and show at the V& A Waterfront.

The parade was jointly sponsored by Porsche; Porsche Centre South Africa; Wesbank; Mobil 1; Big Foot Express and Pirelli and was organized by the Porsche Club South Africa, Cape Region.

This year's event saw four decades of Porsche cars attending (i.e. early 70's models to the very latest), including a Porsche Super Cup car owned by Toby Venter (MD Porsche Centre South Africa), who set the fastest time of 1.18.47 at the Killarney time trial event. Another of the parade's top attractions was a rare 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS, owned by John Atkins, which is understood to be one of few remaining original models in the country.

At the gala awards dinner on the last evening, 118 trophies were awarded to the top three drivers in each class, in each of the five events. The award for Driver of the 2005 Parade was presented to Mike Smyly, who in a 1984 Porsche 944, achieved two firsts and two second place finishes out of the four motoring events.

All of the motor sport events were conducted according to MSA regulations and professional time-keepers were used to ensure accuracy. The combination of good organization, enthusiastic competitors and fabulous weather, resulted in one of the most successful Porsche Parade's ever staged.

In South Africa, Porsche Club has been in existence for 47 years and next year's event, the 2006 Porsche Parade, will be hosted by Porsche Club South Africa, Central Region.

Martinengo & Rudeboy Paul To Race In Monte Carlo

Wed, 26 Oct 2005 00:00:00 +0200

Martinengo & Rudeboy Paul To Race In Monte Carlo Cape Town, 26 October 2005 - Which South African DJ has the most speed? 5FM's Sasha Martinengo and Rudeboy Paul from YFM are going fast & furious in the streets of Monte Carlo this weekend. Join them at Tiger Wheel & Tyre Sandton on Saturday (29 October) from 10am until 12:00, as they go head to head for the annual year-end Pirelli Race-Offs.

Pirelli sponsors three of the most successful teams of the World Rally Championships; so, it made perfect sense for them to be partners in the virtual realm of PlayStation's World Rally Championship Evolved-game.

Sasha and Paul will race against one another on a specialised Italrace station, using the WRC Evolved-game as platform. The Pirelli celebrity race-off track is stage 1 of the Monte Carlo rally, using the Lancer Evolution as the vehicle of speed on the racetrack.

Bring your friends and family along to also compete on Italrace stations from 9am until 5pm across the top 5 Pirelli Performance Centres in Johannesburg (details on www.pirellippc.co.za )

Exciting prizes such as a set of Pirelli High Performance tyres and Sony PlayStation World Rally Championship 5 games are up for grabs. Also, by simply sms'ing the word "Pirelli" to 35456, anybody stand the chance to win additional PlayStation prizes

"Pirelli has confirmed its position worldwide as one of the top players in the motorsport arena; it seemed to me completely natural to combine my last quarter national promotion with a theme revolving around the Rally championship. The response has been nothing short of amazing" says Daniele Carta, marketing manager for Pirelli SA.

The annual race-offs form part of Pirelli's year-end marketing campaign, which also includes the launch of the highly anticipated Pirelli Calendar for 2006. The year's calendar has been shot by revered international fashion photographers Mert & Marcus, following on Patrick Demarchelier's black-and-white masterpiece from last year, and will feature names such as Jennifer Lopez, Kate Moss and Giselle Bnchen.

New Managing Director For Pirelli Tyre South Africa

Mon, 03 Oct 2005 00:00:00 +0200

New Managing Director For Pirelli Tyre South Africa After an eight year tenure at Pirelli Tyre SA, of which three years were served as Managing Director, New Zealand born Ashley Cooper is to step down from his position at Pirelli to run his own company as a tyre dealer.

On the 1st October 2005, Cooper will be replaced by Italian born Gianluca Lionetto, the 33 year old Sales, Marketing and Logistics Manager at Pirelli SA. Lionetto, who holds an MBA from the City University Business School in London, joined Pirelli at its Head Quarters in Milan in 1999. In March 2003, he was transferred to South Africa as the Marketing Manager. He soon assumed more and more responsibility within the organisation, building a young and dynamic team around him.

In the past twelve months, Pirelli Tyre SA has enjoyed strong growth, something its new MD is most pleased about. "We have worked very hard at Pirelli South Africa to create strong growth and maximise value for our customers. Pirelli is a company which focuses on providing the most innovative offerings to the market and we want to now focus on consolidating our position within the South African market." Say Lionetto.

"Pirelli SA has just been through a heavy restructuring process and there is a very strong focus to continue to maintain strong technological innovation in our offerings. This makes it easier for us to provide the very best products to our customers in South Africa, which is a highly competitive market, where customers demand only the best." He concluded.