Lotus has released a new icon, the Eletre. It is the latest in a series of Lotus road cars with names that start with the letter E and imply 'Coming to Life' in some Eastern European regional dialects. It's a fitting connection given that the Eletre ushers in a new era in Lotus history. Eletre is the first widely available EV and the first Sports Utility Vehicle.
The all-new and all-electric Hyper-SUV has the Lotus DNA and follows the sports car engineering and design tradition stretching more than 70 years. At Eletre's core is the heart and soul of the Emira, the latest Lotus sports car and all-electric Evija hypercar that revolutionized aero performance.
Type 132, the code name Lotus gave to the Eletre, is a worldwide shining beacon of sustainable mobility, embodying intelligence, emotion, and prestige. The hyper-SUV delivers several firsts. It's the most connected Lotus ever, the first lifestyle electric vehicle, the first outside sports car segment, and the first five-door production vehicle.
Eletre has a 100kWh battery capacity, with A 350kW charger to push the 4WD to over 400km (248 miles) range within 20 minutes. The car accepts the 22kW AC charging to reduce the plug-in time.
The e-car combines intelligent driving technologies, such as the Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) system, with the most advanced active aerodynamics.
Lotus cars managing director, Matt Windle, calls the hyper-SUV bold and revolutionary. A car with a Lotus soul and the usability of an SUV.
The new vehicle features Electric Premium Architecture (EPA), all-new and highly versatile platform, a low-to-the-ground design, and adaptability to the vehicle class batteries, C+ to E+.
The exterior is daring and dramatic, with a cab-forward posture, concise front/rear overhangs, and a long wheelbase. Elimination of a petrol engine under the hood allows for more creative freedom. At the same time, the short bonnet affirms the styling of Lotus' iconic mid-engined layout. Overall, the car carries a light appearance, creating the illusion of a high-riding supercar instead of an SUV. The ethos of 'carved by air' styling that influenced the Evija and Emira is evident.
The interior's performance-oriented and conceptual design is optically light, with sleek materials to provide an outstanding customer experience. The design team has prioritized sustainability. Premium feel, and sturdy man-made microfibres are used on the primary touchpoints, as is a sophisticated wool-blend textile on the seats. Carbon fiber is recycled and redeveloped into new matting before compression in a resin to generate the car's deluxe marble-like finish.
The high center console and driver-focused cockpit are influenced by the Lotus Emira and Evija, giving the car a cosseted feel. The material layering and textures generate a truly luxurious feel, bolstered by a triangular theme – visible on the car's front grille, recreated in multiple locations throughout the interior.
The Hyper-SUV is now on sale across the globe. The first deliveries start in the UK, China, and Europe in 2023.
