This is not breaking news so much as a reminder of why tyre choice matters on a modern 911. The Pirelli P Zero R, developed specifically for Porsche and carrying the N marking, is the factory fit on the 911 Spirit 70 based on the GTS T-Hybrid. I spent time with the car on typical British roads and came away convinced the tyre suits the brief: fast road use with everyday usability.
Steering feel is the first tell. Around the straight-ahead the P Zero R responds cleanly, without the nervousness some ultra-high-performance tyres can bring on poor surfaces. Load it harder and lateral support builds progressively, which makes the hybrid GTS easy to place at speed.
Wet-weather confidence is a clear strength. On damp and fully wet tarmac the tyre maintains grip under throttle and trail-brake inputs, then communicates the approach of the limit with a small but useful smear of warning. That makes the 911 feel friendly rather than spiky on a cold morning run. Noise levels are well controlled at a cruise and the ride remains compliant enough for long distances, even on mixed urban surfaces and in the ragtop cabrio.
The P Zero R is not a track special, yet the operating window is wide enough that you can lean on it hard without it going greasy in a hurry. That being said, I’ve tired the P Zero R on track in heavyweights such as the M5 Touring and G80 M3, the performance was astonishing given the physics and forces at work. The Trofeo RS takes track performance to new heights and is N rated for speed freaks such as the 992 Porsche 911 GT3 RS. Pirelli have developed a Trofeo RS compound for the upcoming McLaren W1 hypercar, complete with MCL marking.
The N rated marking matters. It denotes a Porsche-specific construction and compound that align with the GTS T-Hybrid’s suspension tune, stability systems and hybrid calibration. In practice, that integration is what gives the combination its easy, cohesive feel.
If you are considering a Spirit 70 or any 992.2 GTS T-Hybrid on factory rubber, the P Zero R remains a well-judged choice. It delivers grip, clarity and refinement that complement the car’s character, without stealing the spotlight.
