Similar to the Pirelli Cinturato P7 All Season Plus, the P4 Four Seasons Plus is also an all-season touring tire that is perfect for sport coupes, small and midsize sedans, and even family minivans. But unlike the Cinturato P7, the Pirelli P4 Four Seasons Plus is primarily designed to deliver a comfortable life and exceptionally long tread life. In fact, the P4 Four Seasons Plus is backed by a 90,000-mile treadwear warranty compared to the Cinturato P7’s 70,000-mile warranty.
For this review of the Pirelli P4 Four Seasons Plus, I was able to acquire a 2010 Mercury Grand Marquis as a test vehicle. This will be my first time to drive a Mercury Grand Marquis. From what I heard, the car handles like a boat, which is typical of an ancient American sedan. But despite the nautical handling characteristics of the sedan, my colleagues told me the car can cruise effortlessly due to the soft and compliant suspension set-up.
My test vehicle was fitted with stock 17-inch wheels and Pirelli P4 Four Seasons Plus tires, which were acquired about 3 months ago. Also standard was the 4.6-liter V8 motor paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission. The Mercury Grand Marquis had a spacious interior and can accommodate six passengers inside the cavernous cabin. My test vehicle was particularly in good shape, save for some paint oxidation and a couple of dents on the equally enormous body.
Pirelli P4 Four Seasons Plus Features
The Pirelli P4 Four Seasons Tire is equipped with a more aggressive tread pattern compared to the conservative and bland tread design of the Cinturato P7 all-season touring tire.
The P4 is equipped with a CAD-optimized tread profile which is designed to promote long wear. The silica-rich tread compound is also designed for longevity and low rolling resistance to further increase the life of the tire.
The Pirelli P4 Four Seasons Plus is designed with reinforced shoulders to enhance handling and cornering. The tire is engineered with central longitudinal grooves and a wide center rib to enhance stability and performance on wet pavement.
The treads are designed with variable angled grooves to offer better performance in all types of weather, hence the name ‘Four Seasons’. The treads are equipped with computer-designed sipes to offer solid traction on wet and snowy roads.
It seems the Pirelli P4 Four Seasons Plus has got all the bases covered, except the price. This tire is a bit more costly compared to the Cinturato P7, but in exchange, you get the promise of longer tread life and better fuel economy.
Test Drive
However, fuel economy was the farthest thing in my mind as I hopped aboard the Mercury Grand Marquis. My test vehicle is equipped with a primitive 4-speed automatic and burly V8 motor so it is rather absurd to expect good fuel economy. With that being said, it is time to find out how the Pirelli P4 Four Seasons Plus performs in a variety of road conditions.
Dry Traction
The tires offered high levels of traction and grip on dry roads. Even though the suspension of my test vehicle was more oriented towards comfort (hence the floaty sensation), the tires were able to deliver solid traction and grip even as I pushed hard on the pedal. The steering is not what you would call precise, and the brakes felt spongy to say the least, but the tires were able to corner and stop my test vehicle without much fuss and drama. Of course, handling was a different issue altogether. Even if you equip the Grand Marquis with high-performance rubber, you will need balls the size of Mount Rushmore and the abilities of a racing to corner the large vehicle at speed.
Wet Traction
In all fairness, the Pirelli P4 Four Seasons Plus performed well on wet roads and slippery tarmac. Braking was also admirable given the size and weight of my test vehicle. However, you will still need to be careful if you are attacking a winding corner in the wet. The tail has a tendency to slide out if you are overly aggressive with the steering and the throttle. But if you drive it sanely, you can expect to navigate smoothly over the wettest road conditions with nary a complaint.
Snow Traction
The tires were tolerable on light snow, and that’s about it. Anything more than two or three inches of snow or ice will result in a driving sensation similar to skating on thick ice. However, the computer-optimized siping on the treads were able to provide adequate grip even on slippery road conditions.
Comfort
There is no doubt the Mercury Grand Marquis is a comfortable highway cruiser. The Pirelli P4 Four Seasons Plus was able to elevate the comfort factor of my test vehicle by another notch. Potholes, craters, and road undulations on tight city streets were reduced to almost nothing with the Pirelli P4 tires. The tires were also comfortable on the highway.
Noise
The Pirelli P4 Four Seasons Plus tires rolled quietly on smooth concrete and asphalt. The tires also offered a silent ride even if you happen to be traversing over crude patches of tarmac. You will still hear some tire roar as you pile on the speed, but it seems these tires are quieter than the Pirelli Cinturato P7.
Treadwear
The Pirelli P4 Four Seasons Plus tires fitted on my test car were still relatively fresh at the time of this review. I inspected all four tires and found no signs of premature wear on the treads. The owner of my test vehicle said the primary factor he chose the Pirelli tires is the long tread life and 90,000-mile treadwear warranty. Even the hardworking fellas at the neighborhood tire store were convinced on the long wear characteristics of the P4 Four Seasons Plus.
Conclusion
The Pirelli P4 Four Seasons Plus is a brilliant choice for an all-season touring tire. The price may be a turn off for some buyers who are looking to save money on a brand new set of tires, but it more than makes up for it in terms of all-season performance and low wear.
Alvin Reyes has expertise in automotive evaluation. He collaborated with famous newspapers and is still making efforts in tire review for DrivingPress.com