Lotus Eletre: the world’s first electric Hyper-SUV

The ongoing transformation of Lotus to a global performance car brand reached its most significant milestone.

The all-new and all-electric Lotus Eletre is a striking and progressive Hyper-SUV, the first of a new breed of pure electric SUVs. It takes the core principles and Lotus DNA from more than 70 years of sports car design and engineering, evolving them into a desirable all-new lifestyle car for the next generation of Lotus customers.

The company’s expertise in the fields of ride and handling, steering, and optimized aerodynamics have evolved. The Eletre takes the heart and soul of the latest Lotus sports car, the Emira, and the aero performance of the all-electric Evija hypercar and reinterprets them as a Hyper-SUV.

The Eletre extends the reach of the Lotus name, badge, and renowned driver engagement to a new audience.

A new dimension to the Lotus performance car portfolio, the Eletre delivers several firsts for Lotus – the first five-door production car, the first model outside sports car segments, the first lifestyle EV, and the most ‘connected’ Lotus ever. It remains a true Lotus, a car ‘carved by air’, packed with technology, genuine sporting performance, and simplicity of purpose, designed and developed by a passionate and global team. The Lotus Eletre is alive with character and personality.

The Eletre is 4WD, has a battery capacity more than 100kWh, and with power from 600hp. A 350kW charger delivers a 400km (248 miles) range in just 20 minutes. The car’s target maximum WLTP driving range is c.600km (c.373 miles). It also comes with the ability to accept 22kW AC charging, reducing plug in time.

Technology includes t advanced active aerodynamics package, and intelligent driving technologies such as the world’s first deployable Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) system in a production car. A walk-up sequence delivers a moment of theatre every time the driver approaches the car, and it’s clear the Eletre is making a simple statement – this is Lotus reinvented, the birth of a new icon into the Lotus stable.

“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,” comments Matt Windle, Managing Director, Lotus Cars. “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.”

“The Eletre, our Hyper-SUV, is a new performance car from an iconic performance car brand and it will appeal to independent-minded and adventurous driving enthusiasts, those who love the thrill of driving,” adds Qingfeng Feng, CEO, Group Lotus. “It’s a unique combination of beautiful design, exceptional dynamic performance, and everyday usability, for those who dare to look beyond the conventional, and marks a turning point for our business and brand.”

“While the worldwide critical acclaim for the Emira has reaffirmed Lotus’ position as a respected sports car marque, the Eletre will make Lotus accessible to a new audience,” Feng adds. “It’s a compelling alternative for those who desire a true driver’s car but whose lifestyle demands something more practical than a traditional sports car. And it’s only the start for Lotus – there’s much more to come.”

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The Eletre is the first in a new range of premium lifestyle performance electric vehicles to be built at an all-new state-of-the-art production facility in Wuhan, China. The car has been ‘Born British, Raised Globally’, with design led by the UK, supported by collaborative work with teams in China, Sweden, and Germany. The overall exterior and interior design was led by an international team based at the Lotus Tech Creative Centre (LTCC) in Warwickshire, UK.

“The Eletre is a rare creative opportunity in performance car design – the chance to start with a blank sheet of paper and develop an all-new vehicle that takes a brand in a completely fresh direction,” says Peter Horbury, Senior Vice President, Executive Advisor, Design, Lotus. “There has been a close working relationship and much collaboration between the Lotus design studios in Warwickshire and Hethel. The result is a ‘Hyper-SUV’ that is genuinely different to what’s on the market; the electric powertrain has inspired a ‘cab-forward’ design that echoes the iconic mid-engined layout of Lotus sports cars, creating a unique look and position in the SUV segment. The arrival of the Eletre signals the start of a new era of pure electric SUVs.”

The Eletre is built on Lotus’ all-new and highly versatile Electric Premium Architecture (EPA). The low-to-the-ground design means outstanding handling, and the EPA can easily adapt to accommodate C+ to E+ vehicle class battery sizes, motors, component layouts and intelligent driving technologies.

The platform will be the basis for an all-new range of premium lifestyle performance electric vehicles from Lotus. Led by the Eletre, these cars will catapult Lotus into a new era of higher retail volumes and significant revenues.

The Lotus Eletre is on sale now across global markets, with first customer deliveries in 2023 starting in China, the UK and Europe.