Tires

A construction designed to reach 300 kph (186 mph)
The special features of the XWX mean that it gives remarkable performance,  combining speed, driving pleasure and safety. The original design of its internal construction, together with its flexible carcass give  exceptional comfort when travelling at very high speeds. Being a VR  category tyre, the XWX can be used at speeds in excess of 210 kph (131  mph), with a maximum possible speed of around 250 to 300 kph (155 to 186 mph)

Pushing back the boundaries
The only radial tyre which could be fitted on the fastest cars in the world in the 70s, the XWX gives these high speed vehicles outstanding road  holding and remarkable grip.

The French were also in the frame with the  Citron SM (1970) as were the British with the legendary Jaguar V12  E-Type (1970) and Aston Martin DBS (1967).

Informed observers  will note that this exceptional performance was achieved on tyres of the same width as those that fit today’s very sensible saloons.

Dream cars
At the end of the 60s, Germany and Italy were the leaders in the European motorway development programme. They were also the main producers of cars which could reach speed in excess of 200 Km/h, (124mph). The wide asphalt strips and the absence of speed limits  offered a privileged few the opportunity to make full use of the  performance of these super-cars€� at speeds which would be unthinkable  today.

The Lamborghini Miura (1966), Ferrari 365 (1965),  Maserati Ghilbi (1966), de Tomaso Pantera (1970) and Porsche 911 Carrera RS (1972) were the undisputed stars, but the large German saloons like  the Mercedes 300 SE 6,3l (1968) and BMW 3.0 Si (1971) also made a strong impression.

In 1872 Giovanni Battista Pirelli, a young engineer, founded Pirelli & C. in Milan at the age of  twenty-four. A year later, the first facility for the production of  rubber articles was up and running. 
 

Toward the end of the century the process of  diversification began: from insulated telegraph cable (1879) to  underwater telegraph cable (1886) to the first bicycle tyres (1890). The first automobile tyre came off the line in 1901.
 

In 1872 Giovanni Battista Pirelli, a young engineer, founded Pirelli & C. in Milan at the age of  twenty-four. A year later, the first facility for the production of  rubber articles was up and running. 
 

Toward the end of the century the process of  diversification began: from insulated telegraph cable (1879) to  underwater telegraph cable (1886) to the first bicycle tyres (1890). The first automobile tyre came off the line in 1901.

 

Starting in the 1920s, drivers like Nuvolari, Ascari and Fangio regaled Pirelli Tyres with a  rousing series of auto racing trophies. In 1927 the Superflex Stella  Bianca racing tyre was introduced. 
 

With the new century,  Pirelli began enjoying its first sporting victories and building plants  abroad: in Spain (1902), Great Britain (1914) and Argentina (1917).

The beginning of the 1950s saw the birth of the Cinturato radial, which would leave a decisive mark in the history of tyres.