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What’s Treading with Tire Review brings you the latest tire industry trends, issues, technology and shop management practices among dealers in the industry today.
Can Pirelli’s Scorpion XTM AT Performance Handle Death Valley’s Toughest Terrain?
What’s Treading with Tire Review
8 minutes
6 months ago
Can Pirelli’s Scorpion XTM AT Performance Handle Death Valley’s Toughest Terrain?
Ever wonder what happens when you take a tire from Pirelli, a brand best known for race tires, and throw it into some of the toughest terrain on the planet? Well, I got the chance to find out. I took the Pirelli Scorpion XTM AT for a spin in Death Valley, and this tire had to prove its performance in some of the harshest conditions out there.
Real-World Testing in Death Valley
We didn’t stick to any easy, man-made trails (unless you count the road, I suppose). Nope. We put rubber to sand dunes, rocky roads, and everything in between. From Red Rock Canyon to Shoshone and the Badwater Basin – we took the Scorpion XTM AT tire through it all. The ground was tough, the heat was cranked up to 100°F, and the terrain was unforgiving. This was no vacation drive – this was real-world, all-terrain testing.
Pirelli Scorpion XTM AT performance: The Tread
When you first look at the Scorpion XTM AT, you’re sure to notice its bold, aggressive tread pattern. It's a sign that this tire is built for traction and stability, especially when you’re airing down to handle deep sand or rocky trails. I had the chance to test it out in a Ford Bronco Heritage Edition, a Jeep Wrangler, and a Rivian R1T. Each one performed impressively, but it was the sand where this tire really stood out. The traction felt solid, and I never felt like I was losing control, even in the deepest dunes.
Real On-Road Performance
This tire was built for the wild outdoors, but I was still surprised by how well it handled on the pavement. It was quieter than I expected for an aggressive off-road tire. I was impressed with how it performed on the road, even after putting it through some of the roughest off-road conditions.
The EV Version: Pirelli Scorpion XTM AT performance
Pirelli also developed a separate EV version featuring the company's "Elect" symbol. It’s designed to reduce rolling resistance. That means better range for your EV, so you don’t have to compromise off-road capability for efficiency. And both versions are built with chip-and-chunk resistance, so they’ll last longer, no matter where you drive.
Off-Road Guidance from Emily Miller
We didn’t just test this tire on our own. We had some serious off-road expertise from Emily Miller, founder of the Rebelle Rally, helping us navigate the trails. Emily’s been behind the wheel of some of the toughest vehicles out there, so I was thankful to have her in my ear for this one!
Tire Review: www.tirereview.com
Hunter Engineering: www.hunter.com
What’s Treading with Tire Review
What’s Treading with Tire Review brings you the latest tire industry trends, issues, technology and shop management practices among dealers in the industry today.
