Lotus Eletre electric SUV brings shocking speed

The latest wild machine from a classic auto maker has gone in a totally different direction from every vehicle it’s built in the past 70 years.

Lotus is known for its simple, light sports cars built in a boutique English factory but the Lotus Eletre is a very different beast.

Sourced from China, with more power than a Ferrari, Tesla-like tech and an SUV body that’s as heavy as a LandCruiser, the Eletre is Lotus XXL – and many moons from what the late company founder Colin Chapman could ever have imagined.

The Lotus Eletre is a big, fast, family SUV.

It’s fast, too, at least in sportiest R guise tested here.

Two electric motors make a combined 675kW of power, more than a Ferrari V12.

Throw in 985Nm of torque and it makes many advanced big capacity engines seem undernourished.

Despite weighing a hefty 2.6 tonnes, the Eletre scorches to 100km/h in 2.95 seconds – all while making almost no noise.

We’ve not driven a luxurious, practical Lotus … until now.

The R model has a twin-speed transmission for its rear motor to help with acceleration.

There’s no reason to doubt the supercar-like performance claims, either, although in everyday Tour mode the Eletre is borderline relaxed, the prodigious thrust taking a moment to build.

Sport sharpens things while Track delivers torque almost instantaneously for a stupendous laugh-out-loud blast.

Even driving all four wheels through sticky Pirelli P Zero tyres it’s easy to elicit some wheelspin, especially on a wet surface.

The Eletre is a long way removed from traditionally Spartan Lotus coupes.

Firing out of tight corners also has the tail squirming, in part because of the rear steering mechanism.

There’s active aerodynamics, including a spoiler that pops up at the rear for high speed stability.

Aim the Eletre at a corner and it’s clinically effective, hanging on tenaciously.

Less endearing is the bulk.

The Lotus Eletre is shockingly rapid on the road.

There’s no hiding those kilos when you ask it to change direction swiftly. Those expecting Lotus litheness will be left wanting.

That said, by large SUV standards it delivers a slick EV experience.

Air suspension adjusts the height and teams with adjustable dampers to allow you to tailor the driving experience by delving into various drive modes.

It’s a simple selection from one of the steering paddles (the other toggles to adjust the regenerative braking).

A slim driver’s display sets the Lotus apart.

In Tour there’s a relaxed plushness to the ride, although sharp edges jolt through the low profile tyres. Body roll is beautifully contained, adding to driver confidence.

Sport is sharper while Track is best left to smooth surfaces.

There’s even an off-road mode, something that is wildly ambitious given the hardware beneath.

Inside, the Eletre comfortably accommodates five with generous head and leg room, the almost flat floor aiding foot space.

A sizeable 688-litre luggage space takes care of family adventures while there’s a bin under the bonnet perfect for storing charging cables.

Rear-wheel-steering improves the Eletre’s agility.

Slender digital displays in front of the driver and front seat passenger provide additional info and complement the 15.1-inch screen, which has crisp graphics and swipe-and-touch menus.

The tech-laden cabin is complemented by ambient lighting and luxurious materials.

A terrific 15-speaker sound system from top-end brand KEF provides superb clarity, although you can’t adjust the bass and treble. And the digital slider control slow-to-respond volume toggle are fiddly.

A huge infotainment screen is part of the deal.

None of this electric extravagance comes cheaply, with prices starting at about $285,000 drive-away for the Eletre S (a more affordable model will slot underneath it later).

The S less ferocious than the R, with a 0-100km/h claim of 4.5 seconds, but the 450kW and 710Nm should suffice for many buyers. And it still has a head-up display, four-zone ventilation, soft-close doors, powered and heated front seats, matrix LED headlights, a powered tailgate, smart-key entry, wireless phone charger and 23-speaker sound system.

The Lotus Eletre is on sale now.

The circa-$345,000 R picks up rear wheel steering, some carbon trim and all that extra grunt.

Both have a 112kWh battery good for 600km in S guise or 490km as an R.

Home charging can be done at up to 22kW for those with three-phase power, providing a full top-up in 5.8 hours.

An 800V electrical architecture allows charging from 10-80 per cent in 22 minutes when using a 350kW ultra-rapid charger.

The Lotus Eletre is surprisingly quick.

What the Eletre lacks in driving finesse it makes up for with brutal acceleration, providing an EV alternative to big performance SUVs.

VERDICT

Three and a half stars

Brimming with tech, the big and heavy SUV is brutally fast – in a very un-Lotus way.

Lotus has big plans in the electric car space.

Lotus Eletre R

PRICE From about $345,000 drive-away

WARRANTY/SERVICE Five yrs/150,000 km, capped servicing not available

SAFETY Seven airbags, auto emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, rear collision warning, driver monitoring, speed-sign recognition

POWER Dual electric motors, 675kW/985Nm

RANGE 490km

SPARE Repair kit

BOOT 688L (rear), 46L (front)

Originally published as Lotus Eletre electric SUV brings shocking speed