Super Sports Cars Gather at the Circuit

The F1 European Grand Prix, where "local hero" Fernando Alonso achieved a dramatic victory in front of a massive Spanish crowd struggling with economic crisis, had just concluded. The following Monday, still buzzing from the excitement, we visited another circuit in Valencia.

Currently, F1 races are held on a street circuit located by the sea in Valencia. Separately, there is a circuit where F1 teams used to conduct intensive testing until just a few years ago. Although considered a low-speed course for F1, it's a circuit that offers a thrilling experience for any high-performance road car. Moreover, as it's a closed course, one can drive to their heart's content without worrying about laws or surrounding traffic. It's quite a lavish venue for a test drive event.



Furthermore, the lineup of test cars gathered here was truly impressive. Lamborghini presented the "Aventador LP700-4" alongside the "Gallardo Superleggera." Warming up its engine next to it, eagerly awaiting our test drive, was the unmistakable "McLaren MP4-12C," with three units even prepared. Further beyond, two units of the "Porsche 911 Carrera S" were also available, though they unfortunately seemed to fade into the background (but rest assured, as we'll discuss later, driving them was truly enjoyable).

With such a dazzling array of super sports cars, and no pace car typical of such test drives (though instructors accompanied the McLaren and Porsche), being allowed to drive at one's own pace was understandably exhilarating.

So, what kind of test drive event was this? The true star of the day was, in fact, the tires: Pirelli's new product named "Cinturato P7 Blue."

Plunged into the Depths of Terror──Aventador

So, what were the impressions? Let's start with the Aventador. Since coming under Audi's ownership, Lamborghini seems to have been infused with German rationality, emphasizing stability and ease of handling, with its once-violent character having completely receded. However, the newly developed V12 engine in the Aventador produces explosive power that can plunge the driver into the depths of terror.

Hearing this, you might imagine a savagely revving engine, but that's not the case at all; it delivers a remarkably smooth and refined impression. What instills fear is its power curve. With a displacement of 6.5 liters, it naturally has ample low-end torque, but beyond 4,000 rpm, immense power erupts as if unstoppable, surging all the way to the redline.



Moreover, the 700ps maximum output is no exaggeration. As the tachometer needle approaches the top end, the car feels as if it's lightly lifting off the ground, further accelerating the already sharp acceleration. While high-performance cars typically feel inadequate on a closed circuit, the Aventador is an exception. To be honest, I must confess that I was so preoccupied with experiencing the engine that I lacked the composure to observe and comment on the car as a whole.

This is the Real Deal──McLaren MP4-12C

Compared to the Aventador, the McLaren MP4-12C's 625ps can be considered more manageable. The engine's power curve also reaches its climax with consistent linearity, without any sudden surges, so there's no sense of terror.

As such, attention naturally turns to the chassis. Firstly, its comfort. How can it offer such a comfortable ride while firmly controlling unnecessary body movements? It's thanks to the McLaren-bespoke Proactive Chassis Control, which links the dampers via a hydraulic circuit. Furthermore, the full-carbon monocoque likely absorbs any impact securely.



The handling is precise, surpassing any other super sports car. Moreover, it's refined in a sophisticated manner, without startling the driver, which is very characteristic of McLaren. The commitment of McLaren Chairman Ron Dennis, who also headed an F1 team, is evident in the fact that the hardware quality reaches the highest standards in every aspect. There were also no complaints about the finish of the exterior and interior. This is a super sports car that should be recommended to enthusiasts who can appreciate true value.

Pirelli P Zero Tires Celebrate 25th Anniversary This Year

Compared to these two cars, the Porsche 911 Carrera S feels like a lightweight sports car. Its response to driver inputs and reactions to road inputs are all straightforward, without the sense of filtration present in the Aventador or MP4-12C. This gives a stronger sense of controlling an automobile, allowing for aggressive driving on the circuit. It's likely that if my lap times were measured that day, the 911 would have been the fastest. It's no exaggeration to say that Porsche's appeal lies precisely in this high level of performance that can be extracted.

Pirelli's "P Zero" and "P Zero Corsa" are the tires specified as original equipment for these world-renowned super sports cars.


Reportedly, this year marks the 25th anniversary of the debut of the first Pirelli P Zero. It's easy to imagine that continuous improvements have been made over the years, and it's precisely because of these excellent characteristics that it has maintained its position at the top of the range for such a long time.

Cinturato P7 Blue with Excellent Wet Grip Performance

After such an intense experience, we were finally able to test the "Cinturato P7 Blue," the main focus of the day. Its positioning is slightly below the P Zero in dry conditions, but as mentioned, it achieves excellent wet grip performance, has low rolling resistance, and contributes to fuel efficiency. Incidentally, the "Blue" at the end of the model name is inspired by the wet tires the company supplies for F1, indicating their confidence in wet grip. Meanwhile, with the "P Zero Silver," named after the silver used on hard-compound F1 tires, already announced, the Cinturato P7 Blue is the second product to bear an F1-derived name.



In any case, the Cinturato P7 Blue offered high levels of wet grip. Furthermore, even when understeer began to occur, the slip angle was smaller than with the P Zero, leaving room for the driver to control the vehicle. Even when pushing harder and losing grip completely, the recovery of grip was strong, and steering became responsive again. In essence, while it may not match the P Zero in dry grip, the Cinturato P7 Blue possesses performance that rivals the top-tier P Zero in wet conditions.



Additionally, by revising the materials, Pirelli has succeeded in making the sidewalls thinner while maintaining sufficient strength. By suppressing heat buildup in the sidewalls during driving, rolling resistance has been reduced by 23 percent. Pirelli claims this can improve fuel efficiency by 5.1 percent.

The Pirelli Cinturato P7 Blue is scheduled to be introduced in Japan in 2013.