new mission
Lotus unveils its first electric SUV – a 600 hp hypercar
The new electric car Lotus Eltre
© Lotus Cars
Lotus has unveiled its first electric SUV. The British manufacturer of sports cars and hypercars is thus embarking on a whole new mission. The Eletre is a sports model optimized for electric drive with 600 hp and modern technology.
It is said to be a “turning point” for Lotus. The car manufacturer from Great Britain, which otherwise builds sports cars and hypercars, presented a fully electric SUV in London for the first time on Tuesday. With the Eletre, Lotus opens a completely new chapter.
Two built-in electric motors, distributed over both axles, should not only accelerate the 600 hp “hyper SUV” from 0 to 100 km/h in less than three seconds, but also bring it to a top speed of 260 km/h.
Speed also plays a role in battery charging. With an 800-volt architecture and a battery capacity of over 100 kWh, the all-electric Lotus can be charged at a 350 kW charging station in 20 minutes for a range of 400 kilometers. The British carmaker states its maximum range of around 600 kilometers according to the WLTP.
“A flagship model” for driving pleasure and sophistication
There is great hope in the Eletre. The brand’s first electric SUV is intended to be “a showcase for how a Lotus can offer performance-oriented driving pleasure and refinement outside of the traditional sports car segments”. The car takes the heart and soul of the latest Lotus sports car – the Emira – and the revolutionary aerodynamics of the all-electric Evija hypercar and reinterprets them as a hyper SUV. Accordingly, there is a “clear relationship” with the Emira, the last gasoline-powered sports car from Lotus, and Evija, an electric hypercar, such as the driver-oriented cockpit.
The Electre, which is a good five meters long and around 1.60 meters high, is based on the new electric car platform Electric Premium Architecture (EPA) from Lotus, which can be adapted to battery sizes, motors, component layouts and intelligent driving technologies in vehicle classes C+ to E+ . Lotus Cars CEO Matt Windle said it was “a significant point in our history.” According to Qingfeng Feng, CEO of Group Lotus, the Eletre “marks a turning point for our company and our brand”.
Accordingly, the electric SUV will appear with LIDAR technology (Light Detection and Ranging), which is said to be the world’s first operational technology in a production vehicle: Extendable sensors record the environment, which supports autonomous driving. In addition, the Eletre has a camera system that not only replaces the classic exterior mirrors, but also enables a 360-degree view of the vehicle from above, which is intended to make parking easier.
The “porosity” of the Lotus design is said to allow air to flow through the vehicle, improving aerodynamics, speed, range and overall efficiency. The use of carbon fiber and aluminum reduces vehicle weight. When cooling of the engine, battery or front brakes is required, the grille opens. The rear of the vehicle is eye-catching with its air outlets above the rear wheel housings, into which the rear light also ends. It shows the charge status of the battery.
Vehicle lighting provides information
The British carmaker also promises a theatrical moment that is “unique” in the automotive world: When the vehicle is unlocked, the exterior lights run through a short sequence and the illuminated door handles extend. After boarding, the “experience” should be repeated.
In the interior of the car, among other things, a light band below the instrument panel provides entertainment. For example, when a phone call comes in or the temperature in the car changes, it changes color. It also shows the state of charge of the vehicle battery. Below the light is a band that shows the driver information about the vehicle and journey, and the passenger a choice of music or nearby locations. Also standard is a 15.1-inch OLED touchscreen that folds automatically when not in use.
Delivery of the Lotus Eletre next year
Production of the Eletre is scheduled to begin in China later this year, with the SUV already available for reservation. You can choose between a five-seater and a model with four individual seats. Lotus has not yet announced the prices for the electric model. Customer deliveries in China, the UK and Europe are scheduled to begin in 2023. In the next three to five years, Lotus also plans to launch a sedan in the E segment and an SUV in the D segment, among other things.
Source: lotus