Lotus unveils Eletre electric super SUV

There’s nothing on sale quite like the latest model from a legendary sports car brand – but that will change rapidly.

The new Lotus Eletre electric SUV looks fierce.

This is a Lotus unlike any we’ve seen before.

The new Lotus Eletre is an electric family SUV poised to take on rivals ranging from the Tesla Model X to Porsche’s Cayenne Turbo.

The Lotus Eletre is the brand’s first family-friendly SUV.

Built in China for a new type of customer, it represents an extraordinary departure for a brand with a back catalogue stuffed with two-door sports cars such as the Elise and Exige.

Like just about every prestige and performance car brand, from Alfa Romeo to Bentley, Maserati and Rolls-Royce, Lotus feels a super SUV is necessary to meet buyer expectations – and to shore up its future.

The Lotus Eletre looks sharp inside and out.

There’s no doubt the Eletre will be fast.

Lotus says power figures for the machine start at 600 horsepower (441kW), and that it can complete the 0-100km/h sprint in less than three seconds.

Full technical specs have not been finalised, though the brand will say it has more than 100kWh of battery storage, and that customers can expect 600 kilometres of range.

Luxury materials meet modern tech inside the new Lotus.

Powerful 350kW electrical hardware allows the car to take on 400 kilometres of charge in 20 minutes.

While previous efforts from Lotus have had precious little in the way of driver assistance electronics, new Lidar hardware in the Eletre could deliver first-class traffic jam assistance and highway cruise control features.

This is the first Lotus with driver aids such as lane keeping assistance.

The cabin has a digital dash, 15-inch touchscreen and the option of a 23-speaker stereo. Marble-effect carbon fibre meets seats trimmed in Kvdrat wool blend in a nod to sustainability.

Huge 23-inch wheels house outrageous 10-piston brake calipers.

Having witness the way technology transformed huge SUVs such as the Lamborghini Urus, active anti-roll bars, rear-wheel-steering, adaptive air suspension and sophisticated torque vectoring are part of the package.

Modern tech makes the Lamborghini Urus incredible to drive.

The brand has not revealed a weight figure for the Eletre, though those inclusions lead us to suspect it will weigh closer to three tonnes than two.

It’s an important part of a fresh line-up for the brand that includes the enthusiast-focused Emira sports car and electric Evija hypercar.

There’s a dash of Lambo to the Lotus’ front-end looks.

Lotus Cars managing director Matt Windle said the Eletre is “bold and revolutionary”.

“This is a momentous point in our history and a clear signal of our ongoing desire to transform our business,” he said.

Here’s something you’ve never seen before – comfortable back seats in a Lotus.

“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.”