In some Eastern European languages, "életre " means "come to life," and it's no coincidence that Lotus has given this name to its first electric hyper SUV. The Eletre marks a new chapter for the British brand, that of Sports Utility Vehicles, and paves the way for an exclusively electric future. In this journey, the carmaker has good company: Pirelli has developed dedicated Elect tyres for the Lotus Eletre, offering a perfect mix of performance and comfort.
10 SIZES OF P ZERO AND P ZERO CORSA
Pirelli has homologated 10 different tyres to equip the Lotus Eletre. With differentiated sizes for the front and rear, a 22-inch P Zero (275/40R22, 315/35R22) and a 23-inch one (275/35R23, 315/30R23) have been created, along with a 22-inch P Zero Corsa (275/40R22 and 315/35R22). The LTS marking on the sidewall indicates dedicated development, while the Elect marking identifies the presence of the technology package that enhances the characteristics of electric vehicles.
"Developing high-performance tyres for a dynamic BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) like the Lotus Eletre has required us to elevate the technological level to find new solutions that meet the needs of a market undergoing a revolution, fast and challenging like never before," explains Dario Marrafuschi, Head of Product at Pirelli. "Just like cars, tyres are also changing, much more than meets the eye. It is essential for us to work alongside prestige car manufacturers like Lotus because it allows us to imagine and then realize this evolution together."
ELECT TECHNOLOGY SPECIFIC FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES
Pirelli Elect tyres for the Lotus Eletre have an optimized footprint and specific compounds that maximize grip. The designers have also worked on a reinforced structure to provide adequate support to the vehicle. Another area of focus, as requested by the manufacturer, has been acoustic comfort: Pirelli Elect tyres are designed to reduce rolling noise, making the journey quieter and more comfortable. These characteristics are certified by the values on the European label: all sizes have obtained Class A for wet grip, and most of them are in Class A for noise.
SEAL INSIDE ANTI-PUNCTURE SYSTEM AND VIRTUAL DEVELOPMENT
To make the 22-inch and 23-inch P Zero tyres for the Lotus Eletre even safer, the optional presence of Seal Inside technology has been introduced, making its debut in such a large size. Seal Inside is a self-sealing system that maintains tire pressure even after a puncture, allowing the vehicle to continue driving. The bespoke P Zero and P Zero Corsa tyres for the Lotus Eletre are also the result of development conducted with the aid of virtual design tools to achieve higher levels of detail and make the interaction between Pirelli and the car manufacturer even more effective.
THE STORY AT THE NÜRBURGRING
The challenges that Lotus and Pirelli faced in co-developing a high-performance electric vehicle are told in the legendary setting of the Nürburgring Nordschleife by Flavio Friesen, Senior Chief Engineer of Vehicle Integration at the Lotus Tech Innovation Centre, and Dario Marrafuschi, Head of Product at Pirelli.
