Pirelli's X-Pressure Optic to go commercial

Geneva, Switzerland - Pirelli first showed its X-Pressure Optic warning display system to the press last September, but now it is going commercial. Massimo Filippi, platform manager for Pirelli's tyre systems division, told ERJ that the company is introducing the products to the Italian market in the next few days and that the products will be available throughout the world by the end of 2006.

He said the first products to be introduced are most basic colour-change system shown on the photograph. This is a small unit that screws onto the valve stem in place of an aircap, and can be used on any car tyre with a standard valve stem. When the pressure falls below 90 percent of the nominal pressure, the cap colour changes from blue to red. There is no fancy electronics to fit and any motorist can simply screw the caps onto the valve stem.

Filippe said four of these X-Pressure Optic valve caps will cost around Euro 50, and that motorists will get this money back in 6 to 12 months, based on improved fuel economy and longer tyre life. In addition, he said, there are significant safety benefits to having the tyres at the optimum pressure.

Filippe said the X-pressure Optic is being made in 12 varieties, each designed to suit tyres designed for different inflation pressures. The nominal pressure range across the 12 variants is 1.8 bar to 3.0 bar. Filippe said the sensor within the unit is accurate to 0.025 bar and the colour changes when the pressure falls below 90 percent of nominal. When a motorist buys a set, the dealer will check the recommended tyre inflation pressures and sell two pairs (one for the front, one for the rear) that are designed for the specific vehicle.

Pirelli said the X-pressure devices were fitted to a number of concept cars shown at the Geneva show, including Fiat's Panda MultiEco and Ferrari F430 Challenge.

The Panda Eco featured colour-coordinated tyres - in this case grey - but on the day ERJ toured the show, the X-pressure caps (pictured) indicated that the tyres needed re-inflating.