Lotus Eletre – the brand’s first electric SUV

The Lotus SUV is built on the new “Electric Premium Architecture” 800-volt platform and is equipped with a battery with a capacity of more than 100 kWh and two motors (one for each axle) to produce a combined power of 600 hp. The ability is to allow acceleration to “hundreds” in less than 3 seconds and a maximum speed of 260 km / h! The maximum range of the car according to the WLTP is about 600 km. Moreover, thanks to the possibility of using fast chargers and a power of 350 kW, it takes only 20 minutes to fill up the energy for another 400 km. The car also has a 22 kW AC charger as standard.

“Fundamentally, the Eletre has been designed to deliver everything you’d expect from Lotus – superior ride and handling, highly responsive handling and exceptional driver engagement,” said Gavan Kershaw, Lotus Director of Product Quality and Integrity. The car has a five-link rear axle for better ride and handling, while standard equipment includes air suspension and Dynamic Damper Control (CDC). Also available are Active Ride Control, Active Rear Axle Steering, Active Anti-roll Bar and Braking Torque Vectoring. In addition, the driver can choose from five driving modes: Range, Tour, Sport, Off-Road and Individual, which adjust the steering, damper settings, powertrain and accelerator pedal response. They are standard in all versions of the car.

Lotus Eletre – lightness of detail

The Eletre is 5.1 meters long, 2.1 meters wide and has a 3 meter wheelbase, but at only 1.6 meters long for an SUV, its silhouette is elegant and very powerful. The design of the model uses aluminum and carbon fiber and the most advanced aerodynamics package that went to a mass-produced SUV. A distinctive feature of the design is its “porosity” – the aerodynamic principle of air flow through the car as well as below, above and around it. Porosity was the basis of Evija’s design, is an integral part of Emir’s model, and was a clear inspiration for Eletre. It is most noticeable where the air is directed under the front of the car and exits through two vents in the bonnet at the top. Other examples of porosity are in front and behind the front wheel arches, behind the rear wheels, and even on the D pillar.

The active front grille consists of a network of interconnected triangular elements that remain closed when the vehicle is stationary or when needed to reduce air resistance while driving. They open in a characteristic way to bring air to the radiator, allowing the Eletra to “breathe” when cooling is needed for the electric motors, batteries and front brakes. There are vents above the D-pillars that work alongside the roofed wings. They direct the air under the tailgate towards the active rear spoiler (it has three corners depending on the driving situation), which is above the wide “Ribbon” of active LED lights (it can change the color, the sequence of light depending on the situation) . Also aerodynamically optimized are 23-inch five-spoke alloy wheels with carbon fiber inserts, which reveal 10-piston ceramic brake calipers.

The car has no exterior mirrors. They are replaced by cameras – one shows the rear view, the second gives a 360-degree view from above, and the third supports intelligent driving technology. The view from the camera is presented on the displays located on the door panels and on the dashboard. On the roof, special tablets that can be removed from LIDAR laser sensors, which are part of the autonomous driving system, attract attention.

Lotus Eletre – free space

The interior combines quality finishes with ecological materials and modern and rich materials. The driver-oriented cockpit and upper center console are inspired by the Lotus Emira and Evija. The slim digital watches come with a large 15.1-inch touchscreen (automatically folds away when not needed) and a standard head-up display with augmented reality features. On-board multimedia can be controlled by voice or by using the touch screen or special buttons. Thanks to the built-in 5G connection, the system can be updated remotely and will also allow you to purchase additional features while driving.

Depending on the version, the interior offers space for four or five passengers and plenty of practical storage space, including a center console with an inductive phone charger. Also in the back seats, passengers can use wireless charging, and the resting area in the middle of the seats ends with a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The standard sound system in this car is provided by the famous British brand KEF. It is called KEF Premium and has 15 speakers with a power of 1,380 W, Uni-QTM system and surround sound technology.

There’s also a host of electronic aids at your disposal, including: adaptive cruise control, forward collision control, traffic sign alert, rear cross traffic alert, forward cross traffic alert, lane change assist , Child Presence Detection, Routing and Routing System. Departure Warning and Mitigation, Emergency Parking Brake, Rear Collision Mitigation System and E-Phone.

Lotus Eletre – available to order now

The Lotus electric SUV is now available for sale in all markets worldwide, with first customer deliveries starting in 2023 in China, the UK and Europe. The price, depending on the local tax, starts around 100,000. pounds (PLN 550,000).