2023 Lotus Eletre – The weight of the new Lotus Eletre SUV is not mentioned anywhere in the lengthy Lotus news release. Even Lotus, 25 years after the launch of the featherlight Lotus Elise, doesn’t seem to realize how much has changed in that time. The Eletre is a giant in compared to the Elise, and its large battery pack means it’ll be significantly heavier. Electric SUVs, on the other hand, are all the rage right now, and Lotus has gotten in with the Eletre, which is based on an all-new Electric Premium Architecture platform. The nearly 600-horsepower Eletre can hit 62 mph in under three seconds, proving that performance hasn’t been compromised. It also looks ready to take on the Lamborghini Urus, let alone the Tesla Model S. Let’s see if a colossal electric SUV is worthy of the Lotus name.
2023 Lotus Eletre Exterior
The Lotus Eletre bears an unmistakable resemblance to the Lamborghini Urus on the outside, especially when completed in eye-popping yellow. Its cab-forward posture, short hood, and low overhangs, which Lotus claims are reminiscent of its mid-engined sports cars, aren’t subtle. The full-electric Eletre is linked to the Emira and Evija by the front leading edge, the layering of the surfaces, and the full-width ribbon light at the back that arcs into the air outlets. The Eletre’s black roof gives it a considerably more sleek and low profile than a typical SUV. An active rear spoiler with three deployment angles depending on driving style rests atop a ‘floating’ split roof spoiler. With a machine-cut split finish and carbon fiber inserts, the optional 23-inch wheels are stunning. Reverse Mirror with Electricity Another interesting innovation is displays with embedded cameras that replace traditional door mirrors, though they are unlikely to be available in the United States. The Lotus Eletre’s hues include yellow and what appears to be Nimbus Grey, while the full palette has yet to be revealed.
By any sense of the imagination, the Lotus Eletre isn’t little. At 200.9 inches, it’s more over five inches longer than the BMW iX. The width, including door mirrors, is a whopping 87.8 inches, although it’s only 64.2 inches high off the ground. The wheelbase measures 118.9 inches. For the first time in the history of a new Lotus, the company has made no mention of curb weight. Because, despite the extensive usage of carbon fiber and aluminum to reduce weight, the 2023 Eletre is the brand’s heaviest model to yet.
2023 Lotus Eletre Interior
The cabin of the Eletre appears to be unremarkable. The interior features a combination of racy materials, cool ambient lighting, and a huge touchscreen that controls the majority of the functions. A 15.1-inch OLED landscape panel on the inside folds flat automatically when not in use. A narrow strip of less than 1.2 inches conveys vital information instead of a normal gauge cluster. A similar strip is replicated on the passenger side. A 15-speaker KEF system with 1,380 watts of power is the standard sound system, although a 23-speaker system with 3D sound technology is also available. The Eletre’s technological prowess isn’t limited to that. There’s also adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and traffic sign information. For the first time in the world, it has a deployable LiDAR sensor on top of the windscreen, as well as another sensor on the front wing. These sensors enable wirelessly updated partially self-driving technology. Lotus believes that in the future, Level 4 SAE autonomy will be possible.
The Lotus Eletre’s seats are a significant talking point; instead of the traditional five-seater layout, there are four individual seats. There is no third row because this is a high-performance SUV, not a Cadillac Escalade replacement. In the cabin, which is lighted by a fixed panoramic glass sunroof, Lotus used materials such as wool-blend seat fabrics, man-made microfibers, and carbon fiber. The cargo capacity of the Lotus Eletre is unknown, however it should be one of the most practical Lotus cars yet. As seen in the photographs, the Lotus Eletre’s inside can be finished in a range of hues, including bright reds and more subtle greys. When coupled with dramatic ambient lighting, it makes a statement.
2023 Lotus Eletre Horsepower
Two powerful electric motors, one at each axle, power the new Lotus Eletre SUV. Lotus claims that their first SUV produces at least 591 horsepower, however exact figures have yet to be confirmed. The performance is remarkable, with a 0-62 mph time of under three seconds and a top speed of 161 mph. That puts it on level with the Tesla Model S Plaid with three motors and 1,020 horsepower (0-60 mph in 2.5 seconds); based on this, Lotus looks to have kept the Eletre’s weight down. Range, Tour, Sport, Off-Road, and Individual are among the driving modes available, each of which alters the steering sensitivity, powertrain, throttle response, and damper damping. The five-link rear suspension, standard air suspension, active rear-axle steering, and low center of gravity should all contribute to excellent ride and handling, though we don’t anticipate it to be as agile as Lotus’ considerably smaller cars.
2023 Lotus Eletre Release Date and Price
The Lotus Eletre 2023’s precise debut date is unknown, but it has been speculated that production of the SUV will begin in China later in 2022. Based on this, customers in the United States may have to wait until late 2023 or early 2024 for the SUV. Lotus has yet to announce the Eletre’s release date. The price of the Lotus Eletre 2023 is currently unclear, but don’t expect it to be cheap. We’d be surprised if the Eletre launched for less than $120,000 MSRP, with a size similar to a Lamborghini Urus and performance comparable to the Tesla Model X Plaid.