Cooper Tire will be unveiled as the official OE tyre supplier for one of the stars of this year's British International Motor Show – the Lightning GT, a new electric sportscar.

The firm's ultra-high performance Cooper Zeon 2XS will be fitted in 20 inch rim size as standard equipment on every Lightning GT built, and its superb cornering ability and steering response is a perfect fit for the 700bhp, 130mph sportscar. As well as head-turning looks and performance, the Lightning GT also has the ultimate ‘green' rating, as it has no CO2 rating and virtually no polluting emissions thanks to its battery power and electric motor innovation.

The Lightning GT will be shod with 245/45R20 Cooper Zeon 2XS rubber, offering superior traction and handling characteristics that will befit the Lightning GT's sporty 0-60mph in four seconds.

The British International Motor Show is held at London's Excel venue from July 23 to August 3.

Lightning GT (2008)
Lightning GT (2008) - picture 1 of 14
Lightning GT (2008) - picture 2 of 14
Lightning GT (2008) - picture 3 of 14
Lightning GT (2008) - picture 4 of 14
Lightning GT (2008) - picture 5 of 14
Lightning GT (2008) - picture 6 of 14
Lightning GT (2008) - picture 7 of 14
Lightning GT (2008) - picture 8 of 14

Lightning GT - Standard Features

* Anti lock braking system * Traction control * Regenerative braking * Electronic door entry * Programmable external engine sound generator * Central door locking * Alarm and immobilizer * Electric windows * Acoustic information and entertainment system * Part leather/alcantara sports seats * Forged alloy wheels * Tinted windows * Home based charging system (EVCS) with integral safety features * Hella focused beam halogen headlamps * LED taillights, front, rear and side-mounted lights

Colours

* Available in Electric Lightning Blue, black and silver as standard (as shown)

Options & accessories

* Air conditioning * Tyre pressure and temperature monitoring system * Satellite navigation system * Non standard colour / metallic paint * Full leather trim * Mobile charging system * Car cover

Technical

Drive Motor:

* Hi-Pa Drive™ technology - four 120kw power Permanent Magnet brushless motors * Full traction control and regenerative braking on all four wheels independently

Battery:

* State of the art NanoSafe™ battery packs. 36kw power

Chassis Type:

* Multi-tubular spaceframe backbone chassis

Bodywork Type:

* Two-door * Material: Lightweight carbon fibre/Kevlar composite technology

Suspension:

* Fully independent suspension * Front and rear double wishbones, coils-over shock

Steering:

* Rack and pinion * Electrically power-assisted with driver select mode * Adjustable for both rake and reach

Braking:

* Regenerative braking on all four wheels * Independent mechanical handbrake system locking rear wheel motors

Wheels & Tyres:

* Front & rear - 20"/20'' x 7.5J wheels lightweight cast aluminium alloy (Lightweight magnesium/carbon fibre as option) * COOPERTIRES Cooper Zeon 2XS 245/40R20

Dimensions:

* Length: 175" / 4445 mm * Width excl. mirrors: 76.3" / 1940 mm * Height: 47.2" / 1200 mm * Wheelbase: 102" / 2590 mm * Front track: 65.7" / 1669 mm * Rear track: 65.7" / 1669 mm * Ground clearance: 5.51" / 140 mm * Boot space: large boot TBC * Turning circle: 28 ft * Anticipated weight dist. (F/R-full): 48/52