Pirelli’s new Scorpion Gravity range includes new treads, casings and compounds. The three new tread patterns are called Black Sting, Emperor and Red Claw.
There are four casings, which Pirelli says are all eMTB-compatible, and three compounds colour-coded and named after those used by Pirelli in its Formula 1 tyres.
Three-time downhill world champion Fabien Barel has had “direct input” into the development of the new range and says the Scorpion Gravity tyres offer "the kind of confidence you notice within the first few turns".
Three tread patterns
The three tread patterns are named after species of scorpion and designed to work best in the terrain native to each animal. The Black Sting is designed for dry hardpack, the Emperor is an all-rounder and the Red Claw works best in loose or muddy conditions, according to Pirelli.
The Emperor pattern is designed to replace Pirelli’s less creatively named RACE M tread pattern and the Red Claw replaces the RACE T.
Four casings
With four casings on offer, there is plenty of choice, balancing weight and toughness. The casings are designed to work across every type of riding, from trail to downhill, along with enduro and even freeride.
The lightest ProWALL casing features sidewall protection and Pirelli claims a weight of 700-900g. It’s designed for climbing efficiency without compromising reliability and descending performance.
The HardWALL casing has additional reinforcement and Pirelli claims it weighs 900-1,100g. It looks to be aimed at more aggressive trail riders seeking additional reinforcement to protect against pinch-flats.
DualWALL is designed for enduro, bike parks and freeriding. It’s dual-ply and weighs 1,100-1,300g.
The DH+ is a full downhill racing-oriented casing, featuring a tougher dual-ply carcass with additional sidewall and bead reinforcement. Pirelli claims tyres with the DH+ casing weigh from 1,300g to over 1,500g.
Motorsport compounds
Pirelli is the sole tyre provider for F1 and will be for MotoGP too, from 2027. The compound names and colours for the Scorpion MTB range match the F1 compound names and colour-coded sidewall graphics.
The hardest compound is the yellow-lettered 'Medium' compound, which is said to balance grip and durability. The intermediate compound is called 'Soft' and comes with red writing on the sidewall. The purple SuperSoft compound is the softest and Pirelli says it offers maximum grip and damping.
Pirelli recommends the SuperSoft for the front, but says it can also be used on the rear for racing.
The new Pirelli Scorpion Black Sting, Emperor and Red Claw are available now online and through selected bike shops.
Prices range from £54.99 to £79.99, depending on spec.
