Lotus confirms Eletre Hyper-SUV specifications

Lotus Cars has confirmed it will offer three levels of specification and two powertrain choices for its all-electric Eletre Hyper-SUV which it hopes to roll out in the New Zealand market in 2024.

The Eletre is an all-electric lifestyle model from Lotus, as it continues its transformation from a UK sports car company to a global performance car business and brand.

It says the Eletre takes the core principles and Lotus DNA from 75 years of sports car design and engineering, evolving them into a lifestyle car for its next generation of customers.

“The launch of the Eletre is the natural next step for Lotus,” Lotus Cars managing director Matt Windle says. Two-seater sports cars are not for everyone, and we want to offer a Lotus for every stage of your life. The Eletre is the start of that.”

According to Lotus Cars the Eletre is ‘Born British, Raised Globally’, a collaboration between Lotus teams in the UK, Germany and China.

Three different versions of the car are available – Eletre, Eletre S and Eletre R – with the choice of two powertrains. Eletre and Eletre S feature the 450 kw / 603 hp single-speed version, with a maximum range of 600 km.

The Eletre R comes with the 675 kw / 905 hp dual-speed system and a maximum range of 490 km. Torque figures are 710 and 985 Nm respectively, delivering a 0-100 km/h performance of either 4.5 or 2.95 seconds. The 112 kWh battery for both versions has a charging time (10%-80%) of just 20 minutes using a 350 kW charger.

Lotus has also announced more details of its ‘digital cockpit’ cabin on the Eletre, including the name – Lotus Hyper OS. Lotus is using ‘Unreal Engine’ technology from the gaming industry, allowing the Lotus User Experience / User Interface (UX/UI) team to create next-generation real-time 3D content and experiences.

The Eletre boasts state-of-the-art processing power which includes two Qualcomm 8155 automotive cockpit digital platforms.

A next-generation digital head unit from global mobility tech company ECARX will debut on the Eletre. It reconfigures the user’s in-car experience by providing fully customisable displays, hosted on an advanced Driver Information Module (DIM), and advanced ultra-slim floating touchscreen with one billion colours for more realistic graphics and a more futuristic visual effect.

The platform includes ECARX’s first dual-chip system to enable server-level computing power for rapid processing, an immersive multi-screen user experience and capacity for continuous improvement during the lifetime of the car via future Over-The-Air (OTA) updates.

Lotus has also revealed it will partner with HERE Technologies to deliver integrated navigation services for the Eletre. The service includes EV Routing, EV Range Assistant and Predictive Routing, and can be updated OTA.

The result is Lotus Hyper OS, which provides a seamless interactive experience that offers best-in-class performance in terms of visual effects and interactive feedback, putting the user – driver or passenger – in complete control.

Lotus also announced a new collaboration with Dolby, creator of the immersive audio experience Dolby Atmos. The Eletre is the world’s first car to combine Dolby Atmos and KEF Audio.

In the UK the Eletre is priced from £89,500 (from €95,990 in Europe). The standard spec includes five drive modes, active air suspension, torque vectoring, matrix LED headlights, active front grille and 22-inch 10-spoke forged wheels.

As standard the Eletre comes with wireless smartphone charging, 12-way electrically adjustable front seats, and four-zone automatic climate control.

The ‘intelligent cockpit’ infotainment system, which includes Apple CarPlay / Android Auto and a 1,380-watt, 15-speaker KEF Premium Audio, is operated via a centrally mounted 15.1-inch full High-Definition OLED centre screen. All versions of the Eletre feature five seats as standard, with a four-seat version available as part of the Executive Seat Pack.

Also standard is the deployable LIDAR technology, a world-first in a production car which supports end-to-end autonomous driving (AD) technology. Integrated OTA software update capability ensures the system will be fully ready when individual market regulations allow for the more advanced levels of AD.

In the UK the Eletre rides on 22-inch wheels as standard, though 20-inch and 23-inch are available. There are five different wheel designs and six colours of brake caliper. At launch there are six exterior colours to choose from – Natron red, Galloway green, Stellar black, Kaimu grey, Blossom grey and Solar yellow. More will follow later.

Six unique interiors are available with a state-of-the-art alternative to leather that is environmentally friendly, odour-free, and lasts longer than genuine leather. In addition, a new man-made fibre has been used in the carpets and boot liner. It is 100% recycled and 100% recyclable, and there is no waste in the production process.

The enhanced specification includes privacy glass, active rear spoiler, configurable ambient lighting, illuminated side sills, soft door close, auto-dimming side mirrors and an air quality system. It also includes a 2,160-watt, 23-speaker KEF Reference Audio.

The standard specification of the Eletre R also includes Lotus Dynamic Handling Pack, Carbon Fibre Pack, gloss black wheels, sports motor sound, stainless steel sports pedals, black badging and high-performance tyres.

All Eletre customers have further opportunities to customise and personalise their car to their requirements using option packs.

Those available at launch include the Lotus Dynamic Handling Pack, Ceramic Brake Pack, Executive Seat Pack, Comfort Seat Pack, Carbon Fibre Pack, Extended Carbon Fibre Pack and Interior Carbon Fibre Pack.

Many options from the packs are also available individually. Two Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) Packs are also available – the Parking Pack and a Highway Assist Pack.