
Known until now only by its Lotus codename, Type 132, the company says that the Eletre is a ‘globally relevant product, a shining halo of sustainable mobility for a worldwide audience’. Embodying emotion, intelligence and prestige, the model extends the reach of the Lotus name, badge and renowned driver engagement to a new audience.
Groundbreaking on several levels
A bold new dimension to the Lotus performance car portfolio, the all-electric Lotus Eletre delivers a significant number of firsts for Lotus – the first five-door production car, the first model outside sports car segments, the first lifestyle EV, the most ‘connected’ Lotus ever. But yet, they say that it remains a true Lotus, a beautiful car ‘carved by air’, packed with pioneering technology, genuine sporting performance and simplicity of purpose, alive with character and personality.
The Eletre is 4WD, has a battery capacity that’s over 100kWh and with power from 600hp. A 350kW charger will deliver a 400km (248 miles) range in just 20 minutes. Lotus claim that the technology within the car includes the most advanced active aerodynamics package on any production SUV. And intelligent driving technologies include the world’s first deployable Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) system, plus there is a dynamic walk-up sequence that delivers a moment of theatre every time the driver approaches the car.
Matt Windle, Managing Director, Lotus Cars, commented: “The Eletre is a bold and revolutionary new car, delivering on our commitment to move Lotus into completely new automotive segments as we widen our global appeal and accessibility. This is a momentous point in our history and a clear signal of our ongoing desire to transform our business. It is a true Lotus, and we’re confident it will delight performance car customers and offer a distinct alternative to the segment’s established players. The Eletre has the soul of a Lotus and the usability of an SUV. Alongside the Emira sports car, this is the perfect two-car garage from Lotus.”
Head-turning looks
Design of the Lotus Eletre has been led by Ben Payne. His team has created a daring and dramatic new model with a cab-forward stance, long wheelbase and very short overhangs front and rear. Creative freedom comes from the absence of a petrol engine under the bonnet, while the short bonnet echoes the styling cues of Lotus’ iconic mid-engined layout. Overall, there’s a visual lightness to the car, creating the impression of a high-riding sports car rather than an SUV. The ‘carved by air’ design ethos which inspired the Evija and Emira is immediately obvious.
A sharp interior
The Eletre takes Lotus interiors to a new level. The performance-oriented and technical design is visually lightweight, using ultra-premium materials to deliver an exceptional customer experience. Shown with four individual seats, this is available to customers alongside the more traditional five-seat layout. Above, an optional fixed panoramic glass sunroof adds to the bright and spacious feeling inside.
The infotainment experience in the Eletre sets new standards too with pioneering and innovative use of intelligent technologies. The result is designed to be an intuitive and seamless connected experience. But while every element of the Eletre can be controlled digitally, certain key controls are duplicated with analogue switches – another nod to the simplicity for which Lotus is famed.
Electrifying performance
The all-electric Lotus Eletre is built on an all-new 800v dedicated electric vehicle architecture with integrated, high-voltage power distribution system. Gavan Kershaw, Director, Attributes and Product Integrity at Lotus says “Dynamically, the Eletre has been developed to deliver everything you would expect from a Lotus – outstanding ride and handling, highly communicative steering and exceptional driver engagement. From a performance perspective, we know the world is watching so there has been an obsession with getting everything just right. Everyone is delighted with it – it’s a world-class product and a true Lotus.” The Eletre performance (target specifications) quote Power (hp) from 600, a top speed of 161mph and 0-100km/h time of <3.0 seconds.
For more details visit the Lotus website
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