Pirelli P Zero Selected For New Lotus Evora

Pirelli P Zero selected for new Lotus Evora

Lotus Cars Limited is delighted to announce that it has selected Pirelli as the principal supplier of tyres for the stunning new Lotus Evora.

The Evora is the first all new Lotus to be released since the iconic Elise roadster in 1995. The recent launch at Loch Lomond in Scotland gave the press a perfect opportunity to drive the exhilarating Evora on the Pirelli P ZerosTM , experiencing first hand how well the partnership between the car and tyres really works.

Since its introduction the Pirelli P Zero TM has become a reference point for many high performance vehicles as it provides cars with superior grip as well as sharper steering response and feel. The homologated size on the Lotus Evora is the 225/40ZR18 on the front and 255/35ZR19 on the rear.

Matthew Becker, Executive Engineer of Vehicle Dynamics for Lotus believes that the Pirelli P Zero TM enhances the dynamic performance of the Evora. "The Lotus Evora has been developed to deliver class-leading steering and handling performance whilst maintaining excellent ride quality. The exceptional abilities of Pirelli's P Zero TM enhances these vital elements and we have been impressed with the excellent steering linearity and consistent grip levels that this particular tyre provides in all conditions."

Experts at Pirelli testify that the P Zero TM is its most technologically advanced product yet and offers even the most demanding drivers unprecedented performance in multiple areas including sports handling, comfort and safety thanks to a range of ground-breaking features developed by Pirelli research and protected by 5 patents. Pirelli also say that their tyre's innovative asymmetric tread pattern features a design that gives both increased levels of safety and enhances the performance of the car. Developed to be precise in the dry and resolute in the wet, Pirelli says that their P Zero TM maintains remarkable consistency between its static and dynamic footprint whilst the tread pattern ensures durability and consistent performance throughout the life of the tyre.

Lotus demands that the tyres for the Lotus Evora respond to rolling stresses without transmitting tension through to the steering wheel, and the active structure of the P Zero TM contributes to the excellent steering performance with which the Evora has been credited. The tyres use compounds that respond immediately, giving the same high degree of performance from cold as when the tyre is up to temperature enabling the tyres to fit the Lotus ideals of durability and efficiency. These desirable characteristics make the Pirelli P Zero TM a perfect tyre choice for the Lotus Evora.

ENDS

NOTES

P ZeroTM Sizes used on the Lotus Evora:

Front: 225/40 ZR18 92 Y XL

Rear: 255/35 ZR19 96 Y XL

In recognition of its handling qualities both in the dry and in the wet the P ZeroTM has recently been awarded Tyre of the Year 2009 by Auto Express.

About Pirelli

Pirelli is a leading tyre manufacturer with a Worldwide presence, developing and growing since the formation of the first Pirelli company outside Italy in 1902. Now Pirelli spans the globe with it's Industrial and Commercial presence and invests in product research and development all over the world to ensure it has class leading products to satisfy specific market requirements.

Pirelli UK Tyres Ltd has two factories in the UK (Burton on Trent and Carlisle), plus its UK Headquarters are based at Burton on Trent.

Pirelli also applies worldwide quality policies and assurance techniques in all of it's plants to guarantee the consistent levels of quality demanded by today's consumers.

Pirelli is credited with the invention of the low profile car tyre in the early 1970's and the company has been at the forefront of product and process innovation ever since.

Today's P Zero range of car tyres are the pinnacle of this achievement.

About Lotus

The main operating subsidiary of Group Lotus plc is Lotus Cars Limited, which has two operating divisions - Lotus Engineering and Lotus Cars. Lotus Engineering is an internationally recognised automotive engineering consultancy based in Norfolk, UK. Global facilities include those in Michigan (USA), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), China and offices in Germany.

Lotus Engineering provides comprehensive and versatile consultancy services to many of the world's OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers, offering a full engineering service from initial concept and project design through development and integration of the complete vehicle to meet all worldwide markets and customers to full production. This includes third party 'niche vehicle' engineering and manufacture worldwide.

Lotus Cars builds world class, prestige, high performance sports cars for sale in 37 countries. These include the iconic Lotus Elise, and the Exige and Europa. Lotus' latest model, the Lotus Evora, goes on sale from Spring 2009. Lotus is a global high-tech company, expanding rapidly and committed to driving forward technology for both Lotus Cars and its Engineering clients, spearheading research into such areas as hybrids, electric vehicles and renewable fuels.