Lotus Type 132: the electric SUV is called Eletre

Detail after detail follows at the Eletre on 29.3: The entire car. It started with active aero elements and the retractable spoiler, followed by the roof-mounted, fold-out Lidar system for autonomous driving functions. Inside, Lotus hints at a large touchscreen and a steering wheel with many buttons.

The performance could be over 700 hp thanks to two motors, and the torque is likely to be over 1000 Nm accordingly.

Additionally, patent application drawings from Australia have surfaced, showing a flat SUV that visually does not represent a revolution. The foundation is the 800-volt "Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA)" from Geely, which Lotus has accordingly modified. It is planned for all series apart from sports cars. Lotus is also making a cut in production: Limited series and hyper sports cars will continue to be manufactured in the UK, but the Eletre and others will come in larger quantities from the Chinese plant in Wuhan.

The battery packs are expected to have a capacity between 90 and 120 kWh, which can provide up to 650 kilometers range according to WLTP, realistically around 500. With maximum charging power, thanks to 800 volts, over 300 kW should be possible, allowing a charge from ten to eighty percent in a good 20 minutes.

The Eletre is expected to become the top-seller of the brand according to Lotus's plans and aims to triple the sales figures: Lotus plans to sell 5,000 units annually in the medium term, with a significant portion contributed by the SUV.  

What does that mean?

The Eletre is intended to be Lotus's volume booster. It will be interesting to see how both old and new Lotus customers will receive the Eletre and where the model will establish its unique selling proposition among all the other SUVs.