The new Scorpion Winter 3 signals the complete renewal of Pirelli & Cie SpA's winter tire range and will be available in North America.

The tire has been developed "to meet the specific needs of SUVs in typical cold-weather conditions," say Pirelli officials. "Vehicles in this segment now account for more than 50% of the global market and have distinctive characteristics, including greater weight and a higher center of gravity, which call for tires with dedicated internal structures and tread patterns.

"These requirements have guided the development of Scorpion Winter 3, which delivers a high level of performance balance across the different conditions encountered during the winter season, from snow and wet roads to dry surfaces. It therefore overcomes one of the main compromises associated with winter tires, offering drivers of sport utility vehicles consistently strong performance, even in the most demanding situations."

The Scorpion Winter 3 features a tread geometry that incorporates several solutions, include a zig-zag central groove, which helps evacuate water and supports lateral grip on snow; Pirelli’s patented Snow Keeper Teeth Technology, which retains snow within the grooves to harness the grip generated by snow-on-snow contact; a high void ratio, which enhances performance on snow and wet roads while helping to counter aquaplaning; and more.

"These features are complemented by solutions specifically developed for SUVs, including stiffer tread blocks to improve handling and wear resistance under high loads and a carefully calibrated sipe density to maintain performance on dry roads, as well," say Pirelli officials.