The Lotus Eletre is a battery electric full-size luxury crossover SUV produced by the British sports car manufacturer Lotus Cars. It was revealed on 29 March 2022 as the company's first production SUV and its first vehicle produced in China.

Lotus Eletre
2022 Lotus Eletre
Overview
ManufacturerLotus Cars
Production2022–present
AssemblyWuhan, Hubei, China
DesignerBen Payne[1]
Body and chassis
ClassFull-size luxury crossover SUV[2]
Body style5-door SUV
LayoutDual-motor, all-wheel-drive
PlatformElectric Premium Architecture (EPA)
RelatedLotus Emeya
Powertrain
Electric motorPermanent Magnet Synchronous motors
Power output
  • 450 kW (610 PS; 600 hp)
  • 675 kW (918 PS; 905 hp) (R-series)
Transmission1-speed direct-drive
Battery107/112 (usable/total) kWh Lithium Ion Polymer
Electric range304–373 mi (489–600 km) (WLTP)[3]
Plug-in charging800 V, 430kW DC[4] or 22kW AC
Dimensions
Wheelbase3,019 mm (118.9 in)
Length5,103 mm (200.9 in)
Width2,135 mm (84.1 in) (with side camera mirrors)
2,231 mm (87.8 in) (with conventional mirrors)
Height1,630 mm (64.2 in)
Kerb weight2,634 kg (5,808 lb)[5]

Overview edit

Conceived by the then-CEO of Lotus Jean-Marc Gales, the Lotus SUV project originally surfaced in 2016. Prior to this project, Lotus had revealed the 2006 Lotus APX concept crossover SUV, the first SUV that the company had built. In 2020, it was revealed that the internal codename for the new SUV project was 'Lambda' and that the model will be revealed in 2022.[6] Later in 2021, teasers for the SUV were released and the 'Type 132' codename name for the model was revealed.[7] In February 2022, Lotus showed more teasers and revealed that the SUV would debut on 29 March 2022.[8][9]

Ahead of its official debut, 3D patents published by the intellectual property office on 8 March revealed the Lotus Type 132, showing the SUV's coupe-like design.[10] Later that month, the final production name of Type 132 was revealed to be 'Eletre', consistent with the other mass-production Lotus model nameplates which all begin with the letter 'E'.[11] The name of the car is derived from the Hungarian word "életre" which means "(coming) to life".[12]

The Lotus Eletre was designed at the Lotus Tech Creative Centre in Warwickshire, England and is produced in Wuhan, China.[9]

Specifications edit

Battery and platform edit

The Eletre is based on the Lotus Premium Architecture for the company's future C-segment and E-segment electric models. After the Type 132, two more SUVs and a sports car are planned to be released.[13]

For model year 2024, The Lotus Eletre is available in three trim levels: base, S, and R. All models are equipped with a 112.0-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery that supports charging speeds up to 350 kilowatts.[14] The base and S trims feature a dual-motor powertrain producing 603 horsepower and 524 pound-feet of torque, while the range-topping R trim boasts a tri-motor setup generating 905 horsepower and 726 pound-feet of torque. The Eletre R can reach 60 mph in 2.9 seconds.[3]

Technology edit

In a teaser video released by Lotus, a LiDAR sensor is shown rising from the roof of the Lotus Eletre.[15] Also shown through teasers are digital side mirrors and a floating infotainment system.[10]

References edit

  1. ^ "Eletre - Lotus Cars Media Site". Lotus Cars. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
  2. ^ "Lotus Eletre Launched In China With 918 hp, 600-km Range And Starting Price Of 115,900 USD". Carnewschina.com. 25 October 2022.
  3. ^ a b Ewing, Steven. "2024 Lotus Eletre First Drive Review: New Beginnings". Insideevs. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  4. ^ https://carnewschina.com/2023/10/24/li-mega-showed-a-552-kw-peak-charging-capacity-thanks-to-catls-5c-battery/
  5. ^ Neil, Dan (16 December 2023). "An All-Electric Dreadnought From the House of Lotus". The Wall Street Journal. p. D13.
  6. ^ Allen, Lawrence (9 November 2020). "Electric Lotus SUV due in 2022 with 750bhp, 360-mile range". Autocar. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  7. ^ Gauthier, Michael (8 November 2021). "Lotus Type 132 Electric SUV Teased, Debuts Next Year". Carscoops.
  8. ^ Gauthier, Michael (28 February 2022). "Lotus Type 132 Electric Crossover To Debut On March 29th". Carscoops. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  9. ^ a b Parikh, Sagar (2 March 2022). "Lotus Type 132 electric SUV to enter production this year – Report". TopElectricSUV. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  10. ^ a b Bell, Sebastien (8 March 2022). "New Lotus Type 132 Electric SUV Uncovered Thanks To Design Patents". Carscoops. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  11. ^ Gutman, Andrew (27 March 2022). "It's Official: Lotus Type 132 Electric SUV To Be Called "Eletre"". Carscoops. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
  12. ^ Lotus Eletre: What Makes It So Unusual? | Catchpole on Carfection, retrieved 31 March 2022
  13. ^ Pappas, Thanos (31 August 2021). "Lotus Teases Four New EV Models, Including Three SUVs And A Sportscar". Carscoops. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  14. ^ Kinoti, Victor (9 February 2024). "2024 Lotus Eletre Price: Every Trim Compared". TopSpeed. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  15. ^ Anderson, Brad (16 November 2021). "The Lotus Type 132 Electric SUV May Have A LiDAR Sensor". Carscoops. Retrieved 8 March 2022.

External links edit