Pirelli Winter Sottozero Serie II

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Pirelli Winter Sottozero Serie II Tire Review
Winter Tire

By Tabitha

When it comes to winter driving, ensuring safety is paramount. The Pirelli Winter Sottozero Serie II answers that need as it is created to provide security and comfort despite changes in weather and road conditions during the late autumn, winter, and early spring seasons.

Having partnered with esteemed car brands such as Ferrari, Lamborghini, Volkswagen, and Maserati, Pirelli designed the Winter Sottozero Serie II with superior yet ecological materials. The combination of new polymers and Temperature Dynamic Compound improves wet and ice traction. This proprietary blend also provides security and comfort throughout the ride with impeccable steering response.

The tire features an asymmetrical design, which guarantees great performance in all sorts of winter weathers. The internal inclined grooves enhance grip on snow and helps reduce noise. On the other hand, the longitudinal outer blocks resist aquaplaning while improving the tire’s rigidity. This results to better handling in both dry and wet roads. With the IBS (interactive brickwork siping) technology, the tire is able to provide better traction, braking, and handling. This tire also offers low-rolling resistance and consequently helps you reduce fuel usage and CO2 emissions.

The Pirelli Winter Sottozero Serie II is available in a wide array of sizes. The tire width ranges from 205-335mm while the rim diameter ranges from 16”-20”. This makes the tire compatible with sports cars, mid-range family cars, and bulky SUVs alike.

This tire has gained considerable recognition after high results in various tire tests, including the following:

• 2nd-2012 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tire Test (225/45 R17)
• 2nd-2009 Sport Auto Performance Winter Tire Test (225/45 r17)
• 3rd-2011 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tire Test (225/40 R18)
• 3rd-2011 Auto Express Winter Tire Test (225/45 R17)
• 3rd-2010 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tire Test (245/45 r18)
  
  

Being able to withstand harsh winter conditions, this tire is branded with the mountain/snowflake symbol. Its MSRP starts at roughly $120 and varies based on your chosen size and vendor.

Tire Test Results

The Pirelli Winter Sottozero Serie II boasts new features and fancy technology. Are the shiny new badges from Auto Bild and Auto Express enough to put it on a higher level than its rival brands and models? Here’s what we found out in our personal test:

Pros

• The tire performs well, regardless if it’s used on dry, wet, slushy, or icy roads.
• Wear rate is above average, and the tire should last a long time.
• Accelerating, cornering, and hard braking are generally a piece of cake.
• It offers excellent handling, grip, and stability, which are sure to inspire confidence.
• The tire’s composition allows it to be used in virtually all seasons, which is rare for a winter tire.

Cons

• Although the tire works well on snowy roads, it seems to favor a thin, compacted layer over deep, fluffy snow.
• This tire can be noisy at times, when not driven in the snow.

The Bottom Line

The new features of Pirelli Winter Sottozero Serie II certainly make a noticeable difference in the ride quality and safety of the tire. It performs well in almost all conditions you throw at it. The small brick-like pattern of sipes really grips whether you are driving on dry, wet, or icy roads.  Once taken into deeper snow, the tire can struggle a bit. This is not a deep snow or truck type of tire though, so this is to be expected. At a starting price of about $120 per tire, this is an excellent value and recommended purchase if you are looking for a dedicated winter tire. 

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