The McLaren Artura is one of the first super sports cars with plug-in technology.

And it is the first production car with "cyber tires".

A small minicomputer weighing just under ten grams sits on the inside of the tread of the tire and communicates with the McLaren wirelessly via Bluetooth and transmits important data such as the tire temperature or the current air pressure.

These are then displayed in the cockpit.

Of course, they all have four wheels, 19 in the front and 20 in the rear, one of those sensors that make similar systems in the valve, which are heavier by the way, superfluous.

The Artura is only homologated for these tires (235 and 295), the Pirelli P Zero is also available in a Corsa racing version and as a winter tire.

If the tire is to be changed in autumn, nothing needs to be recalibrated after the change.

Boris Schmidt

Editor in the "Technology and Engine" department.

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However, a McLaren should not be driven without four Cyber ​​Tires.

In an emergency it's fine to put on a different tire after a flat tire, says Corrado Rocca, who is responsible for developing the system at Pirelli, but that has to remain the exception.

He promises to always have enough tires available for the replacement business.

Production takes place in different plants, the computer is always in the same place.

In an interview with FAZ.NET, Rocca said they had been working on the system for more than ten years.

McLaren is the beginning, they are in contact with various manufacturers and will soon be able to present the next Cyber ​​Tire.

They are not only intended for super sports cars, they generally work in tires of all sizes, but because of the additional costs they will initially be used more in the premium segment.

Rocca sees a great future for Cyber ​​Tires, many other functions are conceivable, simple ones such as transmitting the driven speed or sending the weight that weighs on the tires, which is important for electric cars and their range calculation.

Even when you think of autonomous driving, a Cyber ​​Tire offers many possibilities.

The computer draws its energy from a battery designed to last the life of the tyre.

These Pirellis have a life expectancy of around 13,000 kilometers.

They cost around 25 percent more than normal supercar tires, which is not only due to this technology, but also to the particularly quiet running characteristics.