FOUR WHEELER SEPTEMBER 2019 49->We spent
the better
part of a year
and 15,000
miles with the
new Scorpions
and were quite
pleased. Signs of
abuse were negligible,
treadwear was even, and
we were left with many com-
pliments on the tire’s good looks.
the monotonous pavement. If a solid portion
of your off-highway driving is graded dirt and
gravel, then the Pirelli Scorpion seems to be
formulated just for you. Of the 15,000 total
miles we drove on these tires, the second most
prevalent terrain was dirt/gravel roads, and we
cruised happily without worrying about punc-
tures or losing traction in the turns. Galloping
through roads seemingly paved with fist-sized
rocks, a situation where we’ve seen mud-
terrains lose noticeable chunks of rubber, the
Scorpions emerged largely unscathed.
The Snow
Though our Jeep spent the winter in Califor-
nia, there were ample amounts of white stuff
within weekend-exploration distance, and it
was not uncommon to see flakes flying during
our travels. The best part of snowy roads with
the Pirelli Scorpion All Terrain Plus tires? The
Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake symbol em-
blazoned on the sidewalls. When other motorists
were begrudgingly fastening snow chains to their
SOURCE
Pirelli Tire
800/747-3554
pirelli.com->We spent most of our off-road time driving at mod-
erate speeds on roads ranging from graded gravel to
baseball-sized jagged mine tailings—without a single
puncture. Conical stone ejectors kept rocks from
lodging between the treads and drilling into the tire,
preventing flats.2WD sedans, we cruised slowly past them with
warm smiles as our tires bit into the frosty roads.
The tighter spacing of the tread blocks and gen-
erous siping were visually similar to dedicated
snow tires, and they performed as such.
Our best snow experiences were during
snowfall and in moderate accumulations of
freshly fallen snow. The rubber compound
stayed pliable and the sipes kept biting, keep-
ing us plowing through the trails like a horse-
drawn sleigh.The Sand
Whether it was just-for-fun laps at the dunes
or many miles deep into a backcountry wash,
we were not disappointed with the Scorpion’s
sand performance. Perhaps it was the desert-
dwelling creature that inspired the tire’s name,
or the fact that flotation was commendable at
both reduced and street air pressures. Again,
it is by no means a sand paddle, but we did not
have to consult our trail shovels or recovery
gear once while testing in the sand.Thoughts After
15,000 Miles
This tire is worth your attention. Its happy
place was dry to moderately wet dirt and gravel,
pressure dropped to roughly 25 psi, cruising
at a spritely pace, with the sidewalls absorbing
the irregularities in the trail. Ride this tire on
the pavement and you’ll easily believe it was
purpose-built to be there. Drive in the snow as
much as you do in gravel? This is your tire. Will
it still get you home from a day in the dunes,
rocks, or mud ruts? Absolutely. Does it give that
trail-ready curb appeal? You bet. fw|>Notice the interlocking P- and S-shaped tread
blocks—Pirelli Scorpion!