Lotus Eletre
Electric super-SUV heralds new future
- WLTP range of up to 600 km
- Large lifestyle SUV
- Lightweight sports car
Lotus is known for building lightweight sports cars. And rarely has a car brand moved so quickly away from its roots. Because with the electric Eletre, a particularly spacious and comfortable SUV, the manufacturer begins a new era in which it aims to establish itself as an electric premium brand.
Larger volumes and a global presence
Lotus is today owned by Chinese Geely, like Volvo and Polestar, and like those brands, the owner wants to make Lotus 100% electric. Eletre is the start of a new brand strategy that aims for greater volumes and global presence, all in the classic British design studio as we know it.
The goal is quite clear: With Eletre, Lotus must achieve a very ambitious sales goal: 100,000 units per year by 2028.
600 kilometres driving range and super fast charging
The Eletre is expected to have a WLTP range of no less than 600 kilometers, which is based on a 112 kWh battery pack and top-class aerodynamic performance. The Eletre uses an 800-volt architecture that allows DC fast charging at 350 kW, and there is only one other car on the market that can charge at that rate. Optimally, the battery can therefore be charged from 10 to 80% in approx. 20 minutes.
There will be three versions each with two electric motors and four-wheel drive. The Eletre and Eletre S only differ in terms of equipment, as they both have 450 kW (603 hp) and 710 Nm and go from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds. The top model Eletre E has a massive 675 kW (905 hp) and a torque of 985 Nm, so it goes from 0 -100 km/h in 2.95 seconds.
The car also comes with cameras instead of side mirrors. Lotus has managed to keep the weight under two tonnes with the help of extensive use of carbon fiber and aluminium.
Filled with technology and safety
Eletre is an SUV for the active life, measuring 5.10 meters in length, 2.13 meters in width and 1.63 meters in height. With a wheelbase of 3.02 metres, there is therefore plenty of interior space. In the back seat, you can choose between two separate seats or a classic "bench" with three seats.
The dashboard is far from traditional. Behind the small sports steering wheel, there are info bars for the driver and passenger, and in the middle Lotus has installed a 15.1-inch OLED infotainment screen for controlling all the car's functions. This screen can be folded when not in use.
Eletre is ready for the next step in autonomous driving by means of e.g. cameras, radars and LIDAR sensors and it can be kept constantly updated thanks to its software over-the-air functionality.
