Pirelli P Zero PZ4 and Bridgestone Potenza S001 are both summer tires that are built to provide extra cornering, responsiveness, and braking capabilities in warm weather. The PZ4 has a lower void ratio which allows greater contact on the road, along with efficient sipes, and optimized shoulder design. This will lead to better steering control and dry & wet grip.
In comparison, the Potenza S001 has a relatively higher void ratio which helps it avoid hydroplaning and also provides lower rolling resistance. Keep reading till the end to find out more about both the tires.
Table of Contents
Comparing Pirelli PZ4 with Bridgestone Potenza S001
Pirelli P zero PZ4
Bridgestone Potenza S001
Vs
The PZ4 features an asymmetrical tread design with a lower void ratio and 4 circumferential grooves. As a result, the drivers get a greater contact patch with the road. Due to the greater contact patch, the tire gets a greater grip on the road and its optimized shoulders boost its handling.
Therefore, the overall traction of this tire on dry roads is enhanced. It also performs well on wet roads due to its decent contact area and numerous sipes. However, the tire’s performance in hydroplaning conditions is lacking due to the narrower grooves despite having plentiful sipes. Other than that, its rolling resistance is also higher due to the higher contact patch. This causes more treadwear, resulting in lower durability and mileage of the tire.
S001 features a higher void ratio as compared to its competitor. This decreases the contact patch of the tire. The lower contact area when combined with the unoptimized shoulder design results in a lesser capable tire in terms of dry grip and handling. It also lacks traction on wet surfaces due to fewer sipes and a lower contact patch of its shoulders.
However, its hydroplaning resistance is marvelous due to the wider grooves. In addition to this, its rolling resistance is also lower because of the lesser contact with the road. Thus, resulting in higher durability and mileage. Its price is lesser than the PZ4, which makes it an affordable option.
Grip Comparison
A tire’s grip on the road is directly proportional to the contact patch between the road and its tread. Since the PZ4 has a greater contact patch comparatively, therefore, it grips better. Its dry braking distance is shorter than the Potenza S001 which makes it a better option. When it comes to the tire’s grip on wet roads, its sipes also need to be considered in addition to the contact patch. The three circumferential grooves that surround the tire help it to channel the water around. As a result, the wet traction of this tire becomes splendid and also helps the driver in keeping the vehicle stable during wet speeding and turning. The wet braking distance of the PZ4 is also shorter than its competitor. This is what makes it one of the most preferred choices of the users in such conditions.
Since the Potenza S001 has a lower contact patch as compared to the PZ4, it compromises its grip on dry and wet roads. The dry braking distance of these tires is also higher than its competitor. So, we can conclude that the PZ4 is better due to its shorter dry braking distance. Talking about the tire’s wet grip on roads, it does not have any decent sipes available on its tread, hindering its grip on wet roads.
Handling Comparison
The shoulders play a major role when comparing the handling of the tires. PZ4 shoulders offer a compact and close design, allowing a greater contact patch of its shoulders which offers more grip while steering the tire. Thus, it also lowers the speed that is reduced due to steering. The PZ4 offers an impressive dry handling speed as compared to its competitor. In addition to this, the sipes on the shoulders of the tire maintain the tire’s handling on wet roads. This is what put this tire ahead of its counterpart.
On the other hand, the Potenza S001 features a wide-open shoulder design. As a result, the grip of the tire is decreased due to the lower contact with the ground. Thus, the dry handling of the S001 is marginally lesser than the PZ4. Its wet handling speed is also significantly lower than its competitor due to fewer sipes on its shoulders.
Comparison of Hydroplaning Resistance
The tire that has wider grooves can smoothly pass through the water and maintain its grip with the road. Unfortunately, the grooves of the PZ4 are not as wide as compared to the S001. This results in a lower void ratio. As a result, the tires become vulnerable to hydroplaning.
In comparison, the grooves of the S001 are quite deep and wide. This provides the tire with greater volume to pass through the water as compared to its counterpart. As a result, the drivers get much better performance on flooded roads.
Comparison of Rolling Resistance
The force required to keep the tire rolling is known as rolling resistance. The higher the contact patch of the tire, the greater friction it will face. This in turn will increase the amount of force required to overcome the friction. Here, since the contact patch of the PZ4 is higher as compared to its competitor, it connects more with the ground. As a result, it causes greater friction, resulting in higher rolling resistance, and lower fuel efficiency of the tire.
On the other hand, the Potenza S001 has a lower rolling resistance because of its lower contact patch. The lower contact patch of the tire implies that lesser tread will come in contact with the ground. This will decrease the tire’s rolling resistance as a lower amount of friction is needed to be overcome, allowing good fuel averages.
Durability & Treadwear
The tread of the PZ4 is made of carbon black tread compound and special silica. As a result, these tires are comparatively softer than other tires. While it may perform great on road in terms of handling and grip, it will wear out sooner because of its higher rolling resistance and softer tread. So, this will not only decrease the tire’s durability but will also provide much lower mileage.
The Potenza S001 however is manufactured with a nylon belt and hybrid aramid which not only increases the built quality of the tire but also its tread wear resistance. Even though the harder tread rubber decreases the handling and grip of the tire but you can use it for a higher number of miles. The main reason behind this is the tire’s lower rolling resistance caused by the lower contact patch.
Price
The PZ4 is a higher-priced tire as compared to its competitor simply due to its impressive dry and wet traction but at a cost of quick treadwear. However, if you are looking for something durable and affordable, then the Potenza S001 is one of the best options to consider.
Summary
- Both PZ4 and the Potenza S001 are summer tires.
- The wet and dry traction of PZ4 is much better than its counterpart.
- The hydroplaning resistance of the S001 is far better due to its wider grooves.
- The rolling resistance of the Potenza S001 is lower making it more fuel-efficient.
- The treadwear resistance and durability of the Bridgestone is higher than the Pirelli.
- Potenza S001 is a cheaper tire.
