Pirelli is launching a tyre which it says advances car handling in emergencies and extreme road conditions.

The firm says its wet-dry and cornering grip, aquaplaning recovery and quicker stopping power are outstanding. Pirelli's new P-Zero Nero is out in March, at under £100 retail, and is said to be a step beyond the 'self-thinking' P-Zero Rosso, works-fitted to many performance cars, including BMW, Jaguar, Ferrari models and hot hatches.