Need an all-electric SUV that can hit 260kmh and have a spare US$132,000? Because the Lotus Eletre might be the car for you.
The new Lotus is nothing like the lightweight sports cars they are famous for, but that doesn’t mean it’s a slouch in the performance department.
Lotus claims the Eletre will hit 0-100kmh in less than three seconds.
READ MORE: The world’s largest SUV has 10 wheels and it weighs 21 tonnes
Lotus unveiled the Eletre on March 29 with some hectic performance stats.
The hyper-SUV will be powered by a 100kWh battery that is good for upwards of 592hp and a maximum range of 560km.
Lotus also claims it will be able to fully recharge its batteries in 18 minutes using a 350kW fast charger.
Like most other modern SUVs, the Eletre sits on air suspension, features clever active aerodynamics and comes with active adjustable ride height as standard.
READ MORE: Ferrari teases its first SUV – the highly anticipated Purosangue
Lotus claims this means each Eletre will come “with exceptional dynamics, outstanding comfort and true Lotus performance”.
As for overall size, the Lotus Eletre SUV is about the same size as a Lamborghini Urus, measuring 5105m long, 2131mm wide and 1630mm tall.
But unlike a Urus, the Eletre is roomier thanks to its longer wheelbase and lack of an engine at the front.
The Eletre gets its unusual name from the Hungarian language where it means “coming to life”.
As for its design, the Eletre looks rather unusual at first, but it was designed this way to ensure it is different to every other SUV on the market.
Ben Payne, who led the Eletre’s design team, said: “We have tried to push the nose forward and have a very short hood and a very sharp nose, all of which helps make the product look longer, lower and sleeker than it really is.”
All its unusual gaps and crevices are all functional too, channelling air through and around the car to help with efficiency – making it incredibly aerodynamic and slippery.
Inside, the Lotus Eletre is very spacious and is full of the latest and greatest in automotive technology, from a full-360 camera system and sensors galore.
READ MORE: $2.3 million haul of ‘stolen’ luxury cars discovered in backyard
To continue the brand’s lightweight theme, the Eletre is kitted out with Kvadrat seats – a sustainable material. This not only makes the interior more environmentally friendly, but it also means the seats are 50 percent lighter than traditional leather ones.
Payne said: “We tried to push it in terms of a premium interior and technology. The car can measure your body temperature. The introduction of those products is key. It’s a big step-change for Lotus.
“We’ve reduced mass where we don’t need it. For example, the middle section of the instrument panel isn’t needed. Lotus is a driver’s brand so we have a 15.1-inch touchscreen and we’re making sure it’s the bare minimum [in appearance] for the driver.”
Customer deliveries of the Eletre will start in 2023, with each car costing from £100,000 (USD$132,000)
The 2023 Lotus Eletre SUV is the brand’s first family car (if you exclude the Lotus Carlton saloon based on a Vauxhall).
