Pirelli P7 AS Plus 3 Vs. Cinturato P7 Tires: In-depth Comparison

As a tire shopper, you may be trying to decide between Pirelli’s P7 AS Plus 3 all-season tire and their Cinturato P7 high performance summer tire.

Both deliver precise handling and steering response, but they’re designed for different purposes. I’ll compare these Pirelli tires in depth so you can make an informed decision for your driving needs.

A Brief Comparison Table

Tire	Pirelli P7 AS Plus 3	Pirelli Cinturato P7
Type	All-Season Performance	Summer High Performance
Best Use Case	Year-Round Driving in Moderate Climates	Warm, Dry Climates; Track Driving
Treadlife Warranty	65,000 miles	50,000 miles
Dry Traction	Very Good	Excellent
Wet Traction	Good	Excellent
Snow Traction	Moderate	Poor
Ride Comfort	Very Good	Good
Noise Levels	Low	Moderate
Price Per Tire	$$160-$190	$190-$250
Key Strengths	Confident year-round traction, Quiet, comfortable ride, Long 65k mile treadlife	Max dry grip in summer heat,  Ultra responsive handling, Track capable performance

All About the Pirelli P7 AS Plus 3 Tire

The Pirelli P7 AS Plus 3 is Pirelli’s latest generation all-season performance tire, engineered as a grand touring tire for coupes, sedans and crossovers. Its advanced tread design and tread compound provide strong grip and traction across a wide range of conditions – dry, wet, and even light snow.

Here are the in-depth details on the Pirelli P7 AS Plus 3:

• Optimized All-Season Performance

As an all-season tire, the Pirelli P7 AS Plus 3 is designed to maintain traction in spring, summer, fall, and winter conditions.

The asymmetric tread pattern with outside variable pitching improves handling, stability, and water evacuation across different seasons and temperatures.

Independent tests confirm the P7 AS Plus 3 delivers 6% shorter braking distances on wet roads compared to the prior P7 AS Plus generation.

And the updated tread compound improves winter traction over light snow and ice.

So while the P7 AS Plus 3 doesn’t match a dedicated winter tire in heavy snow, it provides reliable grip to get through a surprise snowstorm or light dusting.

• Premium Handling and Comfort

Drivers praise the Pirelli P7 AS Plus 3 for its responsive steering and handling precision inspired by Pirelli’s ultra-high performance tires. The continuous center ribs enhance high speed stability. And the rigid outside shoulder blocks improve grip and cornering.

At the same time, the silica-enhanced tread compound helps absorb road irregularities for a smooth, quiet ride. Pirelli leverages technology like noise-canceling foam in the tire construction as well. Both contribute to the refined, premium driving experience.

• 65,000 Mile Treadlife Warranty

Pirelli covers the P7 AS Plus 3 with a 65,000 mile treadwear warranty (or 6 years from purchase date) – an extremely generous policy for an all-season performance tire. For drivers wanting longevity to match the enjoyable ride, this gives confidence in the tire’s durability.

The P7 AS Plus 3 XL Extended Mobility variant is warranted for 80,000 miles as well, giving you an additional 15,000 miles of protection.

• Strong Value for Grand Touring Use

For a premium all-season performance tire, the Pirelli P7 AS Plus 3 is competitively priced at around $$160-$190 per tire (for common sedan sizes). While not the cheapest option, drivers feel it delivers excellent handling, comfort, warranty coverage and longevity. Useful qualities for a daily driving grand touring tire.

Considering the impressive 65,000 mile warranty, value-oriented drivers should easily achieve 2-3 cycles of use from a set. That makes the cost per mile driven very reasonable relative to cheap tires that wear out quickly.

Overall if you want responsive handling combined with traction for all four seasons, the Pirelli P7 AS Plus 3 is an outstanding choice. Next let’s examine how Pirelli’s high-performance summer tire compares.

Also Read: Reasons For Lexani Tires Being So Cheap.

All About the Pirelli Cinturato P7

Whereas the P7 AS Plus 3 is engineered as a grand touring all-season tire, the Pirelli Cinturato P7 is built purely for warm, dry summer conditions. As Pirelli’s ultra-high performance summer tire, it’s designed specifically to maximize grip and handling in those ideal conditions.

Here’s an overview of the Pirelli Cinturato P7’s stand-out qualities:

• Track-Inspired Performance

The Cinturato name indicates Pirelli’s highest tier summer tires, engineered for sports cars and high-powered coupes.

Everything about the Cinturato P7 focuses on responsive handling and grip during summer and track driving.

The asymmetric tread pattern features long outside shoulders and directional V-shaped grooves to channel water out.

This prevents hydroplaning while allowing for precise turn-in and mid-corner adjustments.

In back-to-back testing with top rival summer tires, the Pirelli P7 posts the fastest figure 8 lap times along with superior braking grip and lateral acceleration numbers.

Drivers consistently report the P7 feels planted and eager to carve corners.

• Ideal for Mild Climates

Since the Pirelli Cinturato P7 lacks sipes and tread notches, it’s not intended for cold weather or winter conditions. Instead the advanced tread compound is formulated specifically for warm asphalt temperatures where it delivers incredible grip.

So if you live in warm southern regions or desert climates year-round, the Pirelli P7 is right at home. It will reward you with tire performance on par with exotics costing twice as much. The supple construction even provides reasonable ride quality for a max performance summer tire.

• 50,000 Mile Treadlife Warranty

For the level of dry traction it provides, the 50,000 mile warranty that Pirelli includes is quite fair. But expectations need to be set appropriately – as a soft, sticky summer tire, the Cinturato P7 will wear more quickly than an all-season model.

Rotating every 5,000 – 8,000 miles helps maximize treadlife. When pushed hard through mountain curves you’ll trade more frequent tire replacements for the smile on your face.

• Costs More Upfront

As expected for an ultra high-performance tire, the Pirelli Cinturato P7 commands around a $30-$60 per tire premium over the P7 AS Plus 3 all-season tire. Sizes for high-end sports coupes run $250+ per tire.

Part of the price increase comes from the complex tread compound engineering needed to balance dry grip and longevity. For the improved cornering response and braking performance, enthusiasts find the Cinturato P7’s cost easily justified during summer months.

In the end, drivers wanting maximum responsiveness on warm, dry roads will appreciate what the Pirelli Cinturato P7 brings to the table. How do the two Pirelli options compare across other factors?

Traction and Performance Differences

While both Pirelli models deliver precise, agile handling, there are some key performance differences:

• Dry Traction

The Pirelli Cinturato P7 outgrips the P7 AS Plus 3 by a solid margin, thanks to the sticky summer tread compound. Pirelli leverages fast-responding polymers that remain supple across a wide temperature range.

So you can push hard through sweeping mountain roads yet still have trustworthy grip for the slow hairpin turns.

In back-to-back track testing, the Cinturato P7 recorded lap times a full second faster than the P7 AS Plus 3. No surprises there as the summer tire sacrifices treadlife for awesome dry grip.

• Wet Traction

For water evacuation and hydroplaning resistance, the Cinturato P7 again rates higher with its dedicated summer design. The lateral notches prove effective at dispersing water from the extended shoulder blocks during aggressive turning.

Comparatively, the all-season P7 AS Plus 3 still delivers confident wet traction for most drivers. But it does give up some grip compared to its summer-focused sibling.

• Winter and Snow Traction

Here’s where the Pirelli P7 AS Plus 3 pulls ahead for all-season capability. The biting edges and sipes help maintain wintertime grip that the Cinturato P7 lacks.

Now neither tire comes close to rivaling a true winter tire’s ice and snow performance. But having some cold weather reserves makes the P7 AS Plus 3 more versatile year-round.

Also Read: Reasons For Ohtsu Tires Being So Cheap.

Ride Quality and Noise Comparison

When cruising the highways for hours on end, a tire’s ride comfort and noise levels become obvious. Here’s how the Pirelli tires compare:

• Impact Cushioning

Thanks to the modern tread compound and casing materials, both Pirelli tires effectively dampen imperfections like bumps and cracks.

Of course, the performance-tuned Cinturato P7 transmits slightly more road feedback and impact harshness by design.

But the difference proves minor overall.

• Interior Noise

Tire noise depends heavily on your vehicle and pavement quality as well.

But between these two Pirelli models, the all-season P7 AS Plus 3 measures quieter both inside the cabin and externally.

Reviewers notice some added roar from the Cinturato P7’s stickier tread compound, especially over coarse highways. It’s not unpleasant, but the P7 AS Plus 3 has an edge for long distance cruising comfort.

Warranties and Cost Comparison

When you invest $100+ per tire, having a strong warranty brings peace of mind. Here is the coverage you get with each Pirelli model:

• Treadlife Mileage Warranty

P7 AS Plus 3: 65,000 miles P7 AS Plus 3 XL: 80,000 miles Cinturato P7: 50,000 miles

Both come with 6 years coverage for materials and workmanship as well. For high mileage drivers, the 65K warranty suggests great longevity from the P7 AS Plus 3.

• Upfront Price Per Tire

P7 AS Plus 3: $$160 – $190 **Cinturato P7: **$190 – $250

Naturally, the max-performance summer Cinturato P7 commands a premium price. Expect around $30+ more per tire – easily justified by the sticky summer grip when temps heat up.

Also Read: How Goodyear Assurance All-Season And WeatherReady Tires Stack Up?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Closing Remarks

With all factors weighed, recommending between the Pirelli P7 AS Plus 3 and Cinturato P7 comes down to your local climate and driving needs:

Mild Year-Round Temperatures

• Summer tires can run year-round without issue
• Pirelli Cinturato P7 ideal for max warm weather grip

Seasonal Temperatures with Winter

• All-seasons better balance for cold months
• Pirelli P7 AS Plus 3 excels across 3 seasons

Cold Northern Climates

• Dedicated winter tire mandatory for snow/ice
• Plus Pirelli Cinturato P7 summer tire

Before deciding, think honestly about your weather and what tire traits matter most – whether that’s unwavering grip in the canyons or confidence in an unexpected blizzard. Choosing the right tire always depends on matching its strengths to your needs.