2023 Lotus Eletre–One figure that you won’t find anywhere in the lengthy Lotus press release for the new Eletre SUV is weight. Even Lotus, 25 years after the launch of the featherlight Lotus Elise, doesn’t seem to have really grasped how fundamentally things have changed in that time. In comparison to the Elise, the Eletre is a colossus, and its massive battery pack means it’ll be even heavier. However, electric SUVs are all the rage right now, and Lotus has jumped into the fray with the Eletre, which is built on an all-new Electric Premium Architecture platform. Performance hasn’t been sacrificed, as the almost 600-horsepower Eletre can touch 62 mph in under three seconds.It also appears to be ready for a bout with the Lamborghini Urus, let alone the Tesla Model S. Let’s see if a massive electric SUV is deserving of the Lotus moniker.
2023 Lotus Eletre Exterior
2023 Lotus Eletre Interior
The Eletre’s cabin appears to be nothing special. It’s a mix of racy materials, cool ambient lighting, and a large touchscreen that controls most of the functions. Inside, there is a 15.1-inch OLED landscape panel that automatically folds flat when not in use. Instead of a standard gauge cluster, a narrow strip measuring less than 1.2 inches conveys critical information. On the passenger side, a similar strip is reproduced. The base sound system is a 15-speaker KEF system with 1,380 watts of power, although a 23-speaker system with 3D sound technology is also available.The Eletre’s technological capabilities don’t stop there. Adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and traffic sign information are also available. It has a deployable LiDAR sensor positioned on top of the windscreen for the first time in the world, as well as another sensor on the front wing. These sensors enable partially self-driving technology that can be updated wirelessly. Lotus believes that Level 4 SAE autonomy will be available in the future.
The seats on the Lotus Eletre are a huge talking point; there are four individual seats instead of the conventional five-seater layout. Because this is a high-performance SUV, not a Cadillac Escalade replacement, there is no third row. Lotus used materials including wool-blend seat textiles, man-made microfibers, and carbon fiber in the cabin, which is lit by a fixed panoramic glass sunroof. The Lotus Eletre’s cargo capacity is unknown, however it should be one of the most practical Lotus cars yet. The interior of the Lotus Eletre can be finished in a variety of colors, including brilliant reds and more subtle greys, as seen in the photos. It creates a statement when combined with dramatic ambient lighting.
2023 Lotus Eletre Horsepower
The new Lotus Eletre SUV is powered by two strong electric motors, one at each axle. Although exact numbers have yet to be confirmed, Lotus claims that its first SUV produces at least 591 horsepower. With a 0-62 mph time of under three seconds and a top speed of 161 mph, the performance is outstanding. That puts it on par with the Tesla Model S Plaid (0-60 mph in 2.5 seconds) with three motors and 1,020 horsepower; based on this, Lotus appears to have managed in keeping the Eletre’s weight down.There are various driving modes to choose from, including Range, Tour, Sport, Off-Road, and Individual, which alter the steering sensitivity, powertrain, throttle response, and damper damping. A five-link rear suspension, standard air suspension, active rear-axle steering, and a low center of gravity should all contribute to superb ride and handling, though we don’t expect the same level of agility as Lotus’ far smaller cars.
2023 Lotus Eletre Price & Release date
The exact release date for the Lotus Eletre 2023 is uncertain, however it has been reported that the SUV will begin manufacturing in China later in 2022. Customers in the United States may have to wait until late 2023 or perhaps early 2024 for the SUV, based on this. The Eletre’s release date has yet to be confirmed by Lotus. The pricing of the 2023 Lotus Eletre is unknown at this time, but don’t expect it to be cheap. With a size similar to a Lamborghini Urus and performance comparable to the Tesla Model X Plaid, we’d be amazed if the Eletre launched at less than $120,000 MSRP.
