- All-new and all-electric
Hyper-SUV from Lotus
- Bold, progressive and exotic,
with iconic sports car DNA evolved for the next generation of Lotus
customers
- The soul of a Lotus with the
usability of an SUV
- “A momentous point in our
history” – Matt Windle, MD, Lotus Car
- “The Eletre, our Hyper-SUV, is
for those who dare to look beyond the conventional and marks a turning
point for our business and brand” – Qingfeng Feng, CEO, Group Lotus
- First of three new Lotus
lifestyle EVs in next four years, with design language inspired by world’s
first British EV hypercar, the award-winning Lotus Evija
- ‘Born British, Raised Globally’
– UK-led design, with engineering support from Lotus teams around the
world
- Carved by air: unique Lotus
design ‘porosity’ means air flows through the vehicle for improved
aerodynamics, speed, range and overall efficiency
- Power
outputs starting at 600hp
- 350kW charge time of just 20
minutes for 400km (248 miles) of driving, accepts 22kW AC charging
- Target driving range of c.600km
(c.373 miles) on full charge
- Eletre joins exclusive ‘The
Two-Second Club’ – capable of 0-100km/h (0-62mph) in less than three
seconds
- Most advanced active
aerodynamics package on any production SUV
- World-first deployable LIDAR
technology in a production car to support intelligent driving technologies
- Extensive use of carbon fibre
and aluminium for weight reduction throughout
- Interior includes highly
durable man-made textiles and sustainable lightweight wool blends
- Manufacturing at all-new hi-tech facility in China to start later this year
London,
UK – 29 March 2022
The ongoing transformation of Lotus to a truly global performance car brand has
reached its most significant milestone yet.
The all-new
and all-electric Lotus Eletre is a striking and progressive Hyper-SUV – the
first of a new breed of pure electric SUVs. It takes the core principles and
Lotus DNA from more than 70 years of sports car design and engineering,
evolving them into a desirable all-new lifestyle car for the next generation of
Lotus customers.
The
company’s famed expertise in the fields of ride and handling, steering and
optimised aerodynamics have been carefully and respectfully evolved. The Eletre
takes the heart and soul of the latest Lotus sports car – the Emira – and the
revolutionary aero performance of the all-electric Evija hypercar, and
reinterprets them as a Hyper-SUV.
Known until
two days ago only by its Lotus codename, Type 132, the Eletre is a globally
relevant product, a shining halo of sustainable mobility for a worldwide
audience. Embodying emotion, intelligence and prestige, it extends the reach of
the Lotus name, badge and renowned driver engagement to a new audience.
A bold new
dimension to the Lotus performance car portfolio, the Eletre delivers a
significant number of firsts for Lotus – the first five-door production car,
the first model outside sports car segments, the first lifestyle EV, the most
‘connected’ Lotus ever. And yet it remains a true Lotus, a beautiful car
‘carved by air’, packed with pioneering technology, genuine sporting
performance and simplicity of purpose, designed and developed by a passionate
and global team. The Lotus Eletre is alive with character and personality.
The Eletre
is 4WD, has a battery capacity that’s over 100kWh and with power from 600hp. A
350kW charger will deliver a 400km (248 miles) range in just 20 minutes. The
car’s target maximum WLTP driving range is c.600km (c.373 miles). It also comes
with the ability as standard to accept 22kW AC charging which, where available,
reduces the time plugged in.
Technology
includes the most advanced active aerodynamics package on any production SUV,
and intelligent driving technologies such as the world’s first deployable Light
Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) system in a production car. Add in a dynamic
walk-up sequence that delivers a moment of theatre every time the driver
approaches the car, and it’s clear the Eletre is making a simple statement –
this is Lotus reinvented, the birth of a new icon into the Lotus stable.
Matt
Windle, Managing Director, Lotus Cars, commented: “The Eletre is a bold and
revolutionary new car, delivering on our commitment to move Lotus into
completely new automotive segments as we widen our global appeal and
accessibility. This is a momentous point in our history and a clear signal of
our ongoing desire to transform our business. It is a true Lotus, and we’re
confident it will delight performance car customers and offer a distinct
alternative to the segment’s established players. The Eletre has the soul of a
Lotus and the usability of an SUV. Alongside the Emira sports car, this is the
perfect two-car garage from Lotus.”
Qingfeng
Feng, CEO, Group Lotus, added: “The Eletre, our Hyper-SUV, is a new performance
car from an iconic performance car brand and it will appeal to
independent-minded and adventurous driving enthusiasts – those who love the
thrill of driving. It is a unique combination of beautiful design, exceptional
dynamic performance and everyday usability, for those who dare to look beyond
the conventional, and marks a turning point for our business and brand.”
He added:
“While the worldwide critical acclaim for the Emira has reaffirmed Lotus’
position as a respected sports car marque, the Eletre will make Lotus
accessible to a whole new audience. It is a compelling alternative for those
who desire a true driver’s car but whose lifestyle demands something more
practical than a traditional sports car. And it is only the start for Lotus –
there is much more to come.”
The Eletre
is the first in a new range of premium lifestyle performance electric vehicles
to be built at an all-new state-of-the-art production facility in Wuhan, China.
The car has been ‘Born British, Raised Globally’, with design led by the UK,
supported by collaborative work with teams in China, Sweden and Germany. The
overall exterior and interior design has been led by an international team
based at the Lotus Tech Creative Centre (LTCC) in Warwickshire, UK.
Peter
Horbury, Senior Vice President, Executive Advisor, Design, Lotus, commented:
“The Eletre is a rare creative opportunity in performance car design – the
chance to start with a blank sheet of paper and develop an all-new vehicle that
takes a brand in a completely fresh direction. There has been a close working
relationship and much collaboration between the Lotus design studios in
Warwickshire and Hethel. The result is a ‘Hyper-SUV’ that is genuinely
different to what’s on the market; the electric powertrain has inspired a
‘cab-forward’ design that echoes the iconic mid-engined layout of Lotus sports
cars, creating a unique look and position in the SUV segment. The arrival of
the Eletre signals the start of a new era of pure electric SUVs.”
The Eletre
is built on Lotus’ all-new and highly versatile Electric Premium Architecture
(EPA). The low-to-the-ground design means outstanding handling, and the EPA can
easily adapt to accommodate C+ to E+ vehicle class battery sizes, motors,
component layouts and intelligent driving technologies.
The
platform will be the basis for an all-new range of premium lifestyle
performance electric vehicles from Lotus. Led by the Eletre, these cars will
catapult Lotus into a new era of higher retail volumes and significant
revenues.
The Lotus
Eletre is on sale now across global markets, with first customer deliveries in
2023 starting in China, the UK and Europe. For more information and to reserve
your Lotus Eletre please visit www.lotuscars.com.
The
Lotus Eletre in detail
The Eletre
is a new icon from Lotus. It is the latest in a long line of Lotus road cars
whose name begins with the letter E, and means ‘Coming to Life’ in some Eastern
European languages. It’s an appropriate link as the Eletre marks the start of a
new chapter in the history of Lotus – the first accessible EV and the first
SUV.
The
immersive experience with the Lotus Eletre begins before the driver has reached
the car. Pressing the button on the key or smartphone app activates a moment of
theatre that’s unique in the automotive world. The car’s exterior lights run
through a short sequence, the active front grille ‘breathes’ and the
illuminated flush door handles deploy. The experience is repeated inside the
car as the door closes behind the occupant.
Ben Payne,
Head of Studio at LTCC, said: “This walk-up sequence is a ‘peacock moment’ – a
little ‘showing-off’ that highlights the Eletre’s engaging personality. It’s a
visual expression of a car coming to life, and a metaphor for the reinvention
of the Lotus business and brand which begins with the Eletre.”
From the
very earliest discussions about the car and its position at the heart of the
Vision80-led transformation of Lotus, the Eletre was to be a showcase for how a
Lotus can deliver performance-oriented driving thrills and refinement outside
of the traditional sports car segments.
It is ‘Born
British Raised Globally’ and that is more than a slogan. It has defined a
rewarding collaborative process which has set the standard for the development
and quality of the next generation of Lotus performance cars.
The
fundamentals of what makes the Eletre a Lotus were established in Hethel, UK –
the iconic home of Lotus since 1966. The global Lotus team worked together to
deliver the strategic direction for the forthcoming range of Lotus lifestyle
vehicles, plus the dynamic development, systems integration, aerodynamic
optimisation and overall driver satisfaction of the Eletre.
A new Lotus
research and development facility, established in China in 2020, utilises the
market’s leading intelligent technologies and digital competencies to build the
Eletre – and a new generation of electric high performance vehicles – at an
all-new state-of-the-art manufacturing centre. Teams at Lotus Tech Innovation
Centre (LTIC) in Raunheim, Germany, have assisted with component integration,
durability testing, certification and homologation, with experts from the
engineering team in Gothenburg, Sweden, working on the car’s EV management
systems.
Exterior
design: daring and dramatic
Design of
the Lotus Eletre has been led by Ben Payne. His team has created a daring and
dramatic new model with a cab-forward stance, long wheelbase and very short
overhangs front and rear. Creative freedom comes from the absence of a petrol
engine under the bonnet, while the short bonnet echoes the styling cues of
Lotus’ iconic mid-engined layout. Overall, there’s a visual lightness to the
car, creating the impression of a high-riding sports car rather than an SUV.
The ‘carved by air’ design ethos which inspired the Evija and Emira is
immediately obvious.
Ben
commented: “The Eletre is a progressive all-electric performance vehicle
embodying emotion, intelligence and prestige and, as the first of the brand’s
lifestyle cars, it sets the standard for what will follow. We have taken the
iconic design language of the Lotus sports car and successfully evolved it into
an elegant and exotic Hyper-SUV.”
A signature
element of the design is its ‘porosity’ – the aerodynamic principle of air
flowing through the car as well as under, over and around it. Porosity was at
the heart of the Evija’s design, is integral to the Emira, and has provided
clear inspiration for the Eletre. It is most obvious where air is channelled
under the leading edge of the car, emerging through two exit vents in the
bonnet above. There are other examples of porosity ahead of and behind the
front wheel arches, behind the rear wheels, and even at the top of the
D-pillar. For the driver there are clear benefits to porosity – less resistance
in cutting through the air, delivering a more efficient journey in terms of
improved vehicle range, speed and performance.
At the
front of the Eletre, the very sharp and crisp leading edge reveals a clear
lineage with the Emira and Evija. It draws a distinct line across the very
striking and contemporary design treatment below. There are further echoes of
Evija in the layering of the surfaces, the creation of space and the optimised
aerodynamic performance.
Just above
the leading edge are the very slim and technical light clusters which house the
Daytime Running Lights and scrolling directional indicators. The main lamps,
which are available with matrix technology to permit constant high beam use
without affecting oncoming traffic, are housed below, recessed and partially
hidden.
Lower down
is the Eletre’s active front grille, a network of interconnecting triangular
petals that dominate the central section. Intricately designed, they remain
closed when the car is at rest or when there’s a need to reduce drag during
driving. They open in a distinctive pattern to feed air into the radiator,
allowing the Eletre to ‘breathe’ when cooling of the electric motors, battery
pack and front brakes is required. It’s a further example of the car’s porosity
and also offers aerodynamic benefits.
Overall
there is a unique sense of flow and a kinetic quality to the Eletre’s front
end, which also includes a deployable LIDAR sensor mounted at the top of the
windscreen. All the black components are finished in carbon fibre while the
body panels are aluminium. It is the bold leading edge of the Eletre’s bonnet
which continues round into the front wing, wheel arch and ultimately the length
of the vehicle as a feature line. The car’s taut and muscular lines are
dominant above it, while the aerodynamic elements are below.
Moving
round the car, its muscular haunches dominate the profile view. The air outlet
immediately behind the front wheels defines the sculpted shape of the doors,
each of which has a flush handle. The electrically opening cover for the charging
port is fitted in the front wing, as are the deployable LIDAR sensors, one on
each side and a world-first technology for the Eletre.
The
aggressive rake of the windscreen is clearly visible in profile, with a
relatively narrow, glass area – and black cantrail above – which tapers away
dramatically at the rear. That leads into a unique floating D-pillar, engraved
with the Eletre wordmark and featuring an innovative ‘air blade’ which aids
drag reduction. Another example of porosity, it’s an aerodynamic performance
enhancement taken directly from the front bumper of the Emira.
Each door
mirror is replaced by an Electric Reverse Mirror Display (ERMD), which houses
three different cameras1 – one for the rear-view mirror, a second to help
create a 360-degree view of the car from above to aid parking, and a third
that’s part of the intelligent driving technologies. It works in tandem with
the Eletre’s LIDAR system to deliver autonomous driving capability. The car
rides on 23-inch machine-cut split-finish five-spoke alloys with carbon fibre
inserts to aid air flow and ceramic composite 10-piston caliper brakes2.
Moving to
the rear, the full-width ribbon light strip picks up the feature line from the
profile. Situated just above the Lotus wordmark, it is red when the car is
moving and includes a scrolling directional indicator at each end, where it
curves gently into the air outlets from the wheel arches – another design cue
which echoes both the Emira and Evija. The light can appear in four colours,
playing a role in the car’s theatrical unlocking sequence and indicating
battery charge status.
The rear is
dominated by the unique cantilevered carbon fibre ‘floating’ split roof
spoiler, a motorsport-inspired design feature that evokes race car winglets.
With the central section removed weight is saved – a very Lotus concept – and
allows the LIDAR sensor to be integrated at the top of the glass. Optimised for
exceptional aerodynamics, the roof spoiler channels airflow down the glass and
into the active tailgate spoiler which is deployed automatically at speed. It
has three distinct deployment angles, depending on the drive mode selected.
Interior
design: a new level of premium for Lotus
The Eletre
takes Lotus interiors to an unprecedented new level. The performance-oriented
and technical design is visually lightweight, using ultra-premium materials to
deliver an exceptional customer experience. Shown with four individual seats,
this is available to customers alongside the more traditional five-seat layout.
Above, a fixed panoramic glass sunroof3 adds to the bright and spacious feeling
inside.
Sustainability
has been a core focus of the design team, which has worked with leading
supplier Kvadrat on material choices. The interior uses premium feel and highly
durable man-made microfibres on the primary touchpoints, and an advanced
wool-blend fabric on the seats. It is 50% lighter than traditional leather,
allowing for further weight savings. The hard materials are carbon fibre,
though rather than use the traditional ‘weave’ most often associated with
automotive design, Lotus has recycled the fibres trimmed from the edge of the
weave. These have been reconstructed into a new matting, then compressed in a
resin to create the car’s premium marble-like finish.
The
driver-focused cockpit and high centre console are inspired by the Lotus Emira
and Evija, creating a cossetted feeling. The layering of materials and textures
creates a truly premium feel, augmented by a triangular theme – seen externally
on the car’s active front grille – replicated in multiple locations around the
cabin.
The Lotus
philosophy of light-weighting – removing material if it’s not needed – is
clearly illustrated in the instrument panel. The floating wing’s central
section has been taken out, echoing the design of the rear spoiler.
There is a
wealth of practical storage space in the Eletre’s cabin. The centre console
includes a storage tray with wireless charging for mobile phones, as well as
twin cupholders of different sizes which sit flush to the surface until they’re
needed. The beautifully sculpted door design includes storage that will take a
litre bottle.
The smart
design is continued in the rear of the car, with space in the doors and between
the two chairs. There is a central draw at knee height and the armrest splits
behind the two cupholders. It ends in an angled nine-inch touch-screen for
infotainment, with a wireless charging tray beneath.
Infotainment
and technology: a world-class digital experience
The
infotainment experience in the Eletre sets new standards in the automotive
world, with pioneering and innovative use of intelligent technologies. The
result is an intuitive and seamless connected experience. It is a collaboration
between the design team in Warwickshire and the Lotus team in China, who have
huge experience in the fields of User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX).
Below the
instrument panel a blade of light runs across the cabin, sitting in a ribbed
channel that widens at each end to create the air vents. While it appears to be
floating, the light is more than decorative and forms part of the human machine
interface (HMI). It changes colour to communicate with occupants, for example,
if a phone call is received, if the cabin temperature is changed, or to reflect
the vehicle’s battery charge status.
Below the
light is a ‘ribbon of technology’ which provides the front seat occupants with
information. Ahead of the driver the traditional instrument cluster binnacle
has been reduced to a slim strip less than 30mm high to communicate key vehicle
and journey information. It’s repeated on the passenger side, where different
information can be displayed, for example, music selection or nearby points of
interest. Between the two is the latest in OLED touch-screen technology, a
15.1-inch landscape interface which provides access to the car’s advanced
infotainment system. It automatically folds flat when not required. Information
can also be displayed to the driver via a head-up display featuring augmented
reality (AR) technology, which is standard equipment on the car.
While every
element of the Eletre can be controlled digitally, certain key controls are
duplicated with analogue switches – another nod to the simplicity for which
Lotus is famed. Voice control through advanced speech recognition technology is
also available.
The
technical look, compact size and premium feel of the steering wheel delivers
maximum comfort, performance and usability. Visually lightweight, it houses
switchgear for the adaptive cruise control and infotainment system. Both it and
the driver’s seat move back to create more space for ingress and egress,
returning to the pre-set position as the door is closed.
The
standard audio system on the car is provided by renowned British brand KEF.
Called KEF Premium, it is a 1,380-watt 15-speaker set-up with Uni-QTM and
surround sound technology. Uni-Q dispenses with separated tweeter and mid-range
speakers, instead combining both into an acoustically idealised single unit. It
covers the entire mid and high-frequency sound spectrum from a single point in
space, delivering a more coherent, hyper-realistic sound experience.
Customers
can upgrade to KEF Reference, a 2,160-watt 23-speaker system with Uni-Q and 3D
surround sound technology. KEF Reference also features Uni-CoreTM, a pioneering
new approach to speaker and subwoofer design, and the Eletre marks its debut in
the automotive world. It uses two dual force-cancelling drivers with
concentrically arranged and overlapping voice coils, driven by a single motor.
This enables high-level performance while reducing the subwoofer or speaker
volume significantly. Both KEF Premium and KEF Reference feature partially
exposed speakers in the doors, a very technical execution and beautiful design
feature.
At the core
of the Eletre’s UI/UX is the Lotus attribute of simplicity, which is realised
through three pillars. The first is ‘lightweight’, a name given to both the
system components and the experience. For example, with three touches of the
main screen users can access 95% of the car’s functionality. The second pillar
of ‘intelligence’ means the system is versatile, creating a vehicle which is
fully customisable through the settings menu. The final pillar is ‘immersive’,
with carefully crafted and curated content and interactions that excite and
engage occupants – a very Lotus attribute. This includes the on-screen
three-dimensional world in which the car is viewed, showcasing the Eletre as
the hero and adopting user experiences from the worlds of gaming and mobile
technology.
Technology
is used for much more than infotainment on the Eletre. It is also at the heart
of the car’s comprehensive suite of intelligent Advanced Driver Assistance
Systems (ADAS), many of which are designed to be futureproof so new features
can be enabled via Over The Air (OTA) updates. Several utilise the LIDAR
system; its deployable sensors are hidden when not required, ensuring the car’s
striking design shines through and only emerging from the top of the
windscreen, the top of the rear glass, and from the front wheel arches as
required.
The LIDAR
system means the Eletre supports end-to-end autonomous driving technology and
is future-proofed for further development, achievable because of the hardware
that’s already integrated. Further capability can be added via OTA software
updates, as and when it is allowed by local market regulation.
Maximilian
Szwaj, Vice President of Lotus Technology and Managing Director, LTIC,
commented: “The Eletre is packed with relevant technologies which take Lotus to
a new level in the premium lifestyle segment, and also sets new standards
across the global automotive landscape. ADAS technologies such as LIDAR sensors
and cameras will become increasingly common on new cars as we move into a more
autonomous era, and to have the world’s first deployable LIDAR system on the
Eletre is a signal of the technology vision we have for Lotus. This car has
tech for today, and also for tomorrow, as it’s been developed to accept OTA
updates as standard. I’m hugely proud of what the LTIC team, working in close
collaboration with colleagues in China, has achieved.”
The Eletre is
available with Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC); Collision Mitigation
Support Front (CMSF); Traffic Sign Information (TSI); Door Open Warning (DOW);
Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA); Front Cross Traffic Alert (FCTA); Lane Change
Assist (LCA); Children Presence Detection (CPD); Lane Keep Aid with Lane
Departure Warning / Prevention (LKA+); Parking Emergency Brake (PEB); Collision
Mitigation Support Rear (CMSR); and Emergency Rescue Call (E-Call). There are
i-Size child seat anchor points on the outboard rear seats.
The latest
connectivity technology, including 5G compatibility, is part of the Eletre
package. This enables continuous connection to the car via smartphone app, OTA
software updates and the ability for customers to purchase new features enabled
via software as they become available. A smartphone app for Eletre owners will
include access to driving logs, vehicle and charge status, remote features,
location services and a host of other functionality.
A
dedicated all-new EV platform delivering outstanding performance
Gavan
Kershaw, Director, Attributes and Product Integrity, Lotus, has been involved
in defining the attributes of the Eletre from the very start, and continues to
lead the Hethel-based dynamics team in their collaborative work with colleagues
in China, Sweden and Germany.
He said:
“Dynamically, the Eletre has been developed to deliver everything you would
expect from a Lotus – outstanding ride and handling, highly communicative
steering and exceptional driver engagement. From a performance perspective, we
know the world is watching so there has been an obsession with getting
everything just right. Everyone is delighted with it – it’s a world-class
product and a true Lotus.”
The Eletre
is built on an all-new 800v dedicated electric vehicle architecture with
integrated, high-voltage power distribution system. This architecture uses
aluminium and high tensile steel for optimum structural rigidity. The flat
‘skateboard-style’ battery pack and electric motors are close to the ground to
create a low centre of gravity and deliver on the core Lotus commitment of
outstanding dynamic performance. The high energy density of the battery pack
provides the best possible balance of performance and driving range. There are
two electric motors, one driving the front wheels and another driving the rear
wheels. A three-in-one electric drive system integrates each motor with a
controller and reducer, an efficient design which makes the unit smaller and
lighter – a very Lotus solution.
Every
Eletre comes with exceptional dynamics, outstanding comfort and true Lotus
performance. The car has five-link suspension at the rear for optimised ride
and handling, while standard equipment includes air suspension and Continuous
Damping Control (CDC). Active ride height, active rear axle steering, an active
anti-roll bar and torque vectoring via braking are all available.
The car
comes with four drive modes, which adjust the steering, damper settings,
powertrain and accelerator pedal response. The modes are Range, Tour, Sport,
Off-Road and Individual, and are standard on all versions of the car.
Ends
Lotus
Eletre (target specification)
|
Power and performance |
|
|
Power (hp) |
from 600 |
|
Battery (kWh) |
100+ |
|
Top speed
(km/h / mph) |
c. 260 / 161 |
|
0-100km/h (secs) |
< 3.0 |
|
Max range
WLTP (km / miles) |
c. 600 / 373 |
|
Dimensions (mm) |
|
|
Length |
5,103 |
|
Width
with Electric Reverse Mirror Displays |
2,135 |
|
Width with door mirrors |
2,231 |
|
Height |
1,630 |
|
Wheelbase |
3,019 |
- Eletre is fitted with standard
mirrors in markets where local regulations do not allow ERMD
- 23-inch wheels and ceramic
brakes are optional in all markets
- Panoramic glass sunroof is
optional in markets outside China
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