The invention is directed to a pneumatic tire having a rubber tread of a cap/base construction comprising an outer rubber tread cap layer containing an outer running surface and an underlying rubber tread base layer; wherein said tread cap layer comprises at least two circumferential, longitudinal rubber tread cap zones; wherein said tread cap zones individually extend from said tread cap running surface radially inward to said tread base layer; wherein said at least two tread cap zones comprises a first tread cap zone and a second tread cap zone adjacent to the first tread cap zone; the first tread cap zone and the second tread cap zone each independently comprising a vulcanizable rubber composition.