Lotus is ready to see how the Eletre will fare in the land of the SUV.
The British automaker has opened up the U.S. order books for its self-proclaimed electric “hyper- SUV.” The vehicle, which was unveiled back in the spring of 2022, is expected to finally make it to this side of the Atlantic by the end of the year.
The British marque’s first SUV, which will be built in China, is unlike anything we’ve ever seen from Lotus. It’s bigger and roomier than any of the brand’s previous vehicles, though still performance-oriented. We’re sure there are purists out there outraged at thought of Lotus releasing anything other than a zippy two-door, but for a brand intent on building more than just sports cars it’s an important vehicle.
Two versions of the Eletre will be available at launch—a base model and the high-performance R (the U.K.’s S variant doesn’t seem to be headed over yet). Both versions have the same oddly generic crossover shape, an 800-volt architecture, and all-wheel drive. The standard Eletre has a dual-motor powertrain that produces 603 hp and 524 ft lbs of torque. The R also has a pair of permanent magnet electric motors, as well as a rear-mounted two-speed gearbox meant to improve efficiency at higher speeds. This setup produces 905 hp and 727 ft lbs of torque. Lotus says the base model can sprint from zero to 62 mph in 4.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 160 mph, while the high-performance variant can hit 60 mph in 2.95 seconds and reach 165 mph.
Both versions of the SUV feature a 111.9-kWh battery pack. It provides enough juice for maximum range of 354 miles in the standard Eletre and 280 miles in the R, though both estimates were determined using Europe’s forgiving WLTP testing criteria. Even if the EPA range estimate is lower—which it almost certainly will be—the EV’s battery can be taken from 10 to 80 percent in just 20 minutes when connected to a fast charter. You’ll be able to completely refill the battery with a standard wall-mounted charger in less than six hours.
Lotus is accepting reservations now for the Eletre through its websites. Pricing for the Eletre starts at $107,000 and the Eletre R at $145,000. A concrete on-sale date has yet to be announced, but the company expects to begin deliveries before the end of the year.
