The all-electric Eletre SUV is Lotus’s first vehicle, and it marks the English sportscar company’s official entry into India. With a starting price of Rs 2.55 crore, the Eletre is now the most costly and powerful electric SUV in the nation. Additionally, it was the first vehicle that signaled the start of Lotus’ transformation. Exclusive Motors of New Delhi, which also offers Bentley cars in India, will handle the distribution and sales of Lotus vehicles for the remaining part of the country. Early in 2024, the first showroom will open its doors in Delhi. In the years that follow, more showrooms will open up around the nation.
- Right now, the Chinese company Geely owns Lotus.
- Three EVs and one petrol sportscar are available worldwide for the brand.
- Launched in 2024, the Lotus Emira sportscar
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Exterior design of the Lotus Eletre SUV
Its cab-forward posture, long wheelbase, and extremely short front and rear overhangs give the Eletre an illusion of length, low profile, and sleekness. The diminutive bonnet pays homage to Lotus’s famous mid-engined design.
A few design cues, such as the front’s sharp edges, which resemble the Lotus Evija and Emira, are borrowed from earlier Lotus vehicles. Reminiscent of the Evija is the glass canopy atop the body. The standard wheel for the India-spec model is a 22-inch forged wheel with 10 spokes.
Since this is an EV, aerodynamic efficiency is crucial, and as a result, it has an active front grille that directs air beneath the leading edge and out through two bonnet vents. This is also visible atop the D-pillar, behind the back wheels, and behind the front wheel arches.
Another resemblance between the Emira and Evija is the SUV’s full-length ribbon light at the back that wraps into the air vents from the wheel arches. When the automobile is driving, the light is red; however, depending on the battery charge, it may alternatively appear orange or green.
Effortlessly integrated into the back is a three-stage deployable, split, roof-mounted carbon fiber spoiler, designed to resemble race car winglets. One of the many ways Lotus has attempted to lose weight is by eliminating the core portion.
Interior and features of the Lotus Eletre SUV
The Eletre is unmistakably tech-heavy inside. Folding flat when not in use, the 15.1-inch landscape-oriented touchscreen entertainment system is the centerpiece of the cabin. Operating system: Lotus Hyper OS, as the brand refers to it.
Like the split spoiler in the back, the dashboard is divided into two halves. A light blade that spans the entire width of the dashboard is located beneath it. It can communicate with the occupants by changing color; for example, it will flash when a phone call comes in. Three distinct screens make up the “ribbon of technology” that Lotus refers to as being below that. Key vehicle information is shown on a 30mm strip that runs the length of the dashboard, in place of a conventional instrument cluster. The infotainment display mentioned before is on the third screen.
While everything is voice-activated or digitally operated, some essential features, like the HVAC controls, have physical toggle switches. Additionally, the dashboard has a camera that detects the driver’s gaze and modifies the screen’s brightness accordingly. To minimize needless distraction, the screens attached to the door “mirror” cameras, for example, are only half-lit until the driver glances at them.
Additionally provided are over-the-air software upgrades, 5G data compatibility, and a dedicated smartphone app. On certain touchpoints, Lotus utilizes a sustainable material called Kvadrat, and on the seats, it uses a wool-blend fabric that is 50% lighter than standard leather. The SUV comes equipped with a split, foldable rear bench and a five-seat bench arrangement as standard. An additional option is the executive seat pack, which comes with a four-seat version.
The powertrain, range, and battery of the Lotus Eletre SUV
The SUV comes with two powertrain options in three distinct configurations: Eletre, Eletre S, and Eletre R. A dual-motor system with 603 horsepower and a maximum range of 600 kilometers powers the Eletre and Eletre S. Eletre R, on the other hand, has a maximum range of 490 km and a 905hp dual-motor configuration with a 2-speed transmission. The Eletre and Eletre S reach 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds, while the top-spec R variant does so in 2.95 seconds. The torque values are 710 Nm and 985 Nm, respectively. With a top speed of 258 kph, Lotus asserts that the Eletre R is the fastest production-run electric SUV globally.
Across the range, active air suspension and all-wheel drive are standard. It has five drive modes and a torque-vectoring system as well. Standard features on the Eletre R include gloss black wheels, a carbon fiber pack, a handling pack, and high-performance tires. A 112kWh battery is included with all three versions, and with a rapid charger, it can be charged from 10 to 80 percent in 20 minutes. Included with it is a 22-kWh AC charger.
As a performance-oriented electric SUV, the Eletre now occupies a niche all its own and has no direct competitors.
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Lotus Emira will launch in 2024.
The Emira sportscar, which is expected to be on sale in India sometime in 2024, would be Lotus’ next model. It is the final internal combustion engine sportscar from Lotus. A 400-horsepower supercharged V6 engine with a manual gearbox is one of the power options, or a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine with 360 horsepower.