Pirelli P Zero PZ5 Review — Double Test Winner & NZ Road Analysis

Overall Rating: 9.4 / 10

Category: Ultra High Performance (UHP) Summer Tyre

Price in NZ: From $447 per tyre

Best for: Sports cars, supercars, performance sedans, track-capable road cars

Available sizes: 17″ – 23″ rims

Quick Verdict

The Pirelli P Zero PZ5 is a genuine revelation in the UHP tyre segment. In 2025, it won both the Auto Express summer tyre test (1st place from 9 tested) and the TyreReviews UHP summer tyre test (1st place from 7 tested) — making it the most test-decorated new UHP tyre of the year. Its particular strength is wet and dry handling balance: it leads in wet handling, wet cornering, and dry handling in the Auto Express test, while placing 2nd in wet braking — just 0.7 metres behind the leader.

For NZ drivers, the PZ5 offers something no other UHP tyre currently provides: both a double 2025 test win and the credibility of Pirelli’s Formula 1 engineering programme. The price in NZ (from $447) positions it between the Bridgestone Potenza Sport ($411) and the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S ($524) — and in independent tests, it outperforms both on wet and dry handling.

Key Specifications

Performance Test Data — 2025’s Double Test Winner

The P Zero PZ5 is the only UHP tyre to win two major independent test programmes in 2025:

Auto Express Summer Tyre Test 2025 — 1st place / 9 tested

Size: 225/40 R18 92Y XL

Auto Express verdict: *”Agile and stable in wet conditions, offering decent traction. Came out on top in wet handling and cornering, as well as dry handling.”*

TyreReviews UHP Summer Tyre Test 2025 — 1st place / 7 tested

The TyreReviews test programme — considered one of the most rigorous independent assessments of UHP tyres — confirmed the Auto Express result. PZ5 dominated wet and dry handling categories.

Wet Braking Performance

• Auto Express 2025: 2nd place — only 0.7m behind the leader (Bridgestone Potenza Sport)
• Bridgestone Potenza Sport quote from same test: “clearly out in front on wet braking, with only the PZ5 getting within 5% of its result”
• This positions the PZ5 as the second-fastest stopping UHP tyre in its category — ahead of Michelin and Continental in the Auto Express wet braking test

Test Context — Why Two Wins Matter

The Auto Express and TyreReviews tests are conducted by different organisations, in different locations, using different methodologies. Winning both — particularly in the same year with the same tyre — demonstrates genuine cross-condition, cross-methodology excellence. It is not the result of a single favourable test day.

The F1 Engineering Connection

The P Zero PZ5 is the direct descendant of Pirelli’s Formula 1 development programme. Since 2011, Pirelli has been the exclusive F1 tyre supplier — the only company allowed to develop tyres for the sport. This creates a feedback loop:

1. F1 engineers demand tyres that work in Monaco rain, Spa downpours, and Singapore night heat
2. Pirelli develops compounds that perform across these extreme conditions
3. Compound chemistry and polymer science flows into high-end road products like the PZ5

Specifically for the PZ5:

• High-Silica compound: Uses silica particles at a density informed by F1 intermediate compound research — maximises wet grip without sacrificing dry traction
• Asymmetric crown geometry: The tread block arrangement mirrors design philosophy from F1 rain tyres — optimised water evacuation in the inner channels, cornering grip blocks on the outer shoulder
• PNCS (Pirelli Noise Cancelling System): A polyurethane foam layer bonded to the inner liner that absorbs road noise without affecting performance — technology originated in OEM fitment for Ferrari and Lamborghini

NZ Road Conditions Assessment

Auckland & North Island — Verdict: Outstanding

The P Zero PZ5’s 2025 Auto Express wet handling win and second-place wet braking result are directly relevant to Auckland’s driving environment. In the city’s frequent heavy rain — on the Southern Motorway, Northern Motorway, Auckland Harbour Bridge, and suburban chipseal — the PZ5’s wet-handling superiority translates to real-world driver confidence and shorter stopping distances.

For NZ’s growing population of performance car owners — Toyota GR Supra, BMW M2, Audi RS3, Volkswagen Golf R, Mercedes-AMG A45 — the PZ5 delivers a step-change improvement in wet-road capability over older P Zero generations.

Wellington — Verdict: Outstanding

Wellington’s combination of motorway speeds, persistent rain, and wind exposure makes wet handling the critical performance criterion. The PZ5’s category-leading wet handling (1st in Auto Express) is the most relevant test result for Wellington driving. Drivers on the Hutt Valley expressway, SH1, and the central motorway will notice the PZ5’s greater wet cornering confidence over mid-range alternatives.

South Island — Verdict: Good (coastal areas)

The PZ5 is a summer-optimised tyre. In Nelson, Marlborough, coastal Canterbury, and the West Coast — where temperatures rarely dip below 5–7°C in winter — the PZ5 is an excellent year-round choice. For Queenstown, Wanaka, Cromwell, and alpine Canterbury, the compound stiffens in sub-zero conditions, reducing wet grip and increasing braking distances. South Island alpine drivers should consider the P Zero All Season as a year-round alternative that retains Pirelli’s performance character with genuine cold-weather capability.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• 2025 Auto Express test winner — the most widely read UK tyre test, 1st from 9 tested
• 2025 TyreReviews UHP test winner — 1st from 7 tested
• Category-leading wet handling and cornering — critical for NZ rain conditions
• Strong dry handling — 1st place in Auto Express dry handling test
• Wet braking 2nd — only 0.7m behind the leader; excellent real-world stopping performance
• EU Label A wet grip + B fuel efficiency — best label combination in the UHP category
• F1 engineering heritage — PNCS noise reduction, high-silica compound, premium construction
• OEM on Ferrari, Lamborghini — ultimate quality endorsement
• Wide size range: 17″–23″ covers virtually every performance vehicle in NZ

Cons

• Summer-only compound — not suitable for South Island alpine winter temperatures
• Shorter tread life than Michelin Pilot Sport 5 — Michelin’s compound lasts longer in wear tests
• Premium price ($447+) — not a budget option, though less expensive than Pilot Sport 4S
• Fuel efficiency (EU Label B) — not the most fuel-efficient in its class (some rivals rate A)

Who Should Buy the Pirelli P Zero PZ5?

Perfect for:

• Drivers who want the wet and dry handling test winner in a UHP tyre
• Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren, Porsche owners who trust Pirelli OEM quality
• BMW M2/M3, Mercedes AMG A45/C63, Audi RS3/RS4, Volkswagen Golf R owners
• North Island performance drivers who prioritise wet cornering confidence
• Track-day drivers who want a legal road tyre with genuine performance credentials
• Anyone for whom the 2025 Auto Express and TyreReviews wins are the deciding factor

Not ideal for:

• South Island alpine year-round use (see P Zero All Season instead)
• Drivers prioritising maximum tread life (see Michelin Pilot Sport 5)
• Budget buyers (see Bridgestone Potenza Adrenalin RE003 or Kumho range)
• SUV fitment (see Pirelli Scorpion or Continental CrossContact range)

How the PZ5 Compares to the Top Rivals

The verdict in three sentences:

If you want the best wet handling — PZ5. If you want the most consistent wet braking — Continental SportContact 7. If you want the best tread life — Michelin Pilot Sport 5 or 4S.

All four tyres are within the same excellence bracket. Your choice depends on which performance dimension you prioritise.

Available Sizes in NZ (Common Fitments)

Where to Buy in NZ

• Tyroola NZ — tyroola.co.nz — From $447 ea, nationwide fitting
• Hyper Drive — hyperdrive.co.nz — 250+ fitting locations
• Beaurepaires — beaurepaires.co.nz
• Tyrepower NZ — tyrepower.co.nz

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the Pirelli P Zero PZ5 better than the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S?

In wet and dry handling — the PZ5 won both 2025 test programmes that directly compared the two. In tread life — Michelin holds the advantage. In wet braking alone — Continental SportContact 7 has the strongest test record. For drivers prioritising handling balance and test credibility, the PZ5 is the better choice. For maximum longevity, the Michelin wins.

Q: Is the Pirelli P Zero PZ5 the same as the old P Zero?

No — the PZ5 is a completely new tyre, not an update to the previous-generation P Zero. New compound, new construction, new tread pattern. The PZ5’s double 2025 test win demonstrates it is significantly more capable than the tyres it replaces.

Q: What’s the difference between P Zero PZ5 and P Zero Corsa?

The P Zero Corsa is a semi-slick road-legal tyre intended for track days and supercar OEM use. It prioritises maximum dry grip with minimal wet performance. The PZ5 is a fully road-optimised tyre with genuine wet capability. For daily driving — PZ5. For track days — Corsa. For actual circuit use — Trofeo R.

Sources

1. Pirelli P Zero PZ5 wins Auto Express 2025 test — tyrepress.com — 2025
2. Pirelli P Zero PZ5 dominates TyreReviews UHP test 2025 — gtspirit.com — 2025
3. Auto Express summer tyre test 2025 detailed results — autoexpress.co.uk
4. Pirelli P Zero PZ5 — Test Results — tire-reviews.com — accessed 2026-05-31
5. TheTireLab.com — Pirelli P Zero PZ5 — thetirelab.com — accessed 2026-05-31
6. Tyroola NZ pricing — tyroola.co.nz/tyre/pirelli/ — accessed 2026-05-31

Related Pages

• Pirelli P Zero Review — the previous-generation P Zero
• Pirelli P Zero All Season Review — year-round South Island option
• Pirelli Tyres NZ — All Models — full brand guide
• Best Performance Tyres NZ — full comparison with all rivals

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