The all-new 2023 Lotus Eletre, the British automaker’s first electric Hyper SUV, launched in Malaysia.
Striking and progressive, it evolves the Lotus DNA from almost 75 years of sports car design and engineering, into a desirable lifestyle car.
Underpinning Lotus’ all-new 800-V Electric Premium Architecture (EPA), it boasts a footprint akin to the Lamborghini Urus and BMW iX.
Fully-imported (CBU), it hails from the automaker’s new factory in Wuhan, China, instead of its homegrown in Hethel, England.
Official distributor, Lotus Cars Malaysia offers the Eletre in three variants with prices starting from, base-range Eletre (MYR 578,000), mid-range Eletre S (MYR 648,000), and top-range Eletre R (MYR 798,000).
Prices are on-the-road, without insurance, and comes with a five-year/150,000 KM manufacturer warranty and an eight-year/200,000 KM battery warranty.
Six exterior colours available. Kaimu Grey, Solar Yellow, Natron Red, Galloway Green, Stellar Black and Blossom Grey.
Further customisation is also offered with a selection of optional packs. 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, as well as a Parking Pack and a Highway Assist Pack for the ADAS set.
Weighing in at 2,490 KG, the all-new Eletre stands at 5,103 MM long, 2,231 MM wide, 1,630 MM tall, and with a wheelbase spanning 3,019 MM.
A seamlessly chiselled and muscularly aggressive exterior, its cab-forward stance with a long wheelbase and short overhangs exudes the demeanour of a high-riding sports car rather than an SUV.
Aerodynamically sculpted, the front end has a very sharp and crisp outlook, featuring a massive ‘breathable’ active grille, paired to air vents (air-flow - drag efficiency) of which are also placed on the hood, front wheel arches and D-pillars.
Sporty and aerodynamic, the rear end has a sharp, yet curvy and smoothly formed design, featuring a unique floating D-pillar engraved with the Eletre wordmark and an innovative ‘air blade’, which further aids drag reduction.
Completing the layout, its coupe-esque roofline gets paired to a very subtle and sporty mid-tailgate spoiler for the Eletre, and an active rear spoiler (high-speed two level auto-unfold) for the Eletre S and Eletre R, along with a matching black diffuser.
Sinisterly portrayed, the headlamps are very aggressive looking, featuring a very angularly slim and focused design.
They are Matrix LED units with LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL), and come with high beam spotlight and auto adjustable functions.
Futuristic-esque, the tail lamps or tail lamp donates the rear layout with a distinct outlook, a very minimalistic yet sportily and functionally elegant design.
Full LED units with LED reverse lights, featured is a multi-colour (four) full-width light bar, stretching from left to right across the middle of the tailgate.
Unique, it can show the car’s charging status, aside from providing a theatrical light show for the boot’s unlocking feature.
The side mirrors are electronically adjusted and folded with turn-indicators. The Eletre S and Eletre R add an auto-dimming function.
All variants come standard with lightweight brake discs, and six-piston callipers in standard black colour for the Eletre, and with a range of colours for the Eletre S and Eletre R.
Standard, the Eletre rides on a set of 22-Inch 10-spoke silver (Eletre), grey (Eletre S) diamond forged alloy rims, wrapped in Pirelli P-Zero tyres.
Whereas, the Eletre R gets a set of 23-Inch 10-spoke gloss black forged alloy rims, wrapped in Pirelli P-Zero CORSA performance tyres.
For further customisation, there are a total of five rim designs available as an option.
The all-new Eletre has an elegantly futuristic and highly premium designed dashboard, very performance-oriented and technically designed.
Featured is a layered style for a more lightweight look, paired to a broad centre console which takes advantage of the body’s generous width.
Jewellery-grade stainless steel and plasticised metals ensure that every control element is luxuriously durable.
Meanwhile, the carbon fibre panels are crafted with a unique sateen weave construction, maintaining a sporty yet refined visual profile.
Materials used are full recycled and recyclable microfibres, an environmentally friendly, odour-free and longer-lasting alternative to genuine leather.
Then, the accompanying trim is taken from recycled edge cuts from carbon-fibre production, which is compressed in resin for a marble-like finish.
Overall, it has a clean and symmetrical layout, every accessibility on the dash is ergonomically positioned, accounting for the driver as well as other occupants.
Forming part of its human-machine interface (HMI), installed standard across all variants is an eight-Inch TFT instrument panel with a blade of light that runs across the cabin.
The light 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.
Then, below the light is a ‘ribbon of technology’ comprising two slim displays measuring less than 30 MM. One for the driver and another for the passenger, displaying different vehicle information.
Plus, the information can also be displayed to the driver via a Heads-Up Display (HUD), featuring augmented reality (AR) technology, which is also standard for all variants.
Standard is a five-seater arrangement, fitted with 12-way electrically adjustable front bucket seats that have a memory function, and rear seats with a power recline function.
Optional, the Executive Seat Pack turns the interior into a four-seater, with heating, ventilation and massage functions, and separate fully-adjustable rear seats.
Its athletically stocky silhouette offers generous head, shoulder and legroom, thus front and rear occupants get ample space.
Fitted is a multi-function steering wheel with a four-way electrically adjustable (tilt and telescopic) and heated steering column.
Numerous storage areas. E.g., a centre console storage tray and cavern stowage, large sized door pockets, back seat pockets, a decent-sized glove box, under boot floor stowage bins, and a luggage compartment underfloor storage.
There are four cup holders, two located in the front centre console (flush-mounted), while the other two are in the rear (standard). Also, there are four bottle holders (1-Litre capable), located at each side door pocket.
It features wireless, USB-C and 12-V charging outlets, which are strategically located around the interior.
Its hands-free powered tailgate with opening height memory function opens up to 688-Litres of boot space, and up to 1,532-Litres with the rear seats folded. Plus, it also comes with a front trunk (frunk), providing 46-Litres of extra space.
The all-new Eletre is equipped with a comprehensive suite of intelligent Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), which are future-proof courtesy of the Over-The-Air (OTA) software updates.
Standard on all variants is Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Rear Collision Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Front Cross Traffic Alert (FCTA), Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning/Prevention (LKA+), Blind Spot Detection, Traffic Sign Information (TSI), Front and Rear Park Assist, Visual Park Assist and Lotus Intelligent Dynamic Chassis Control.
Optional, the Highway Assist Package equips it with the world’s first deployable LIDAR system, supporting higher-levels of autonomous driving. Courtesy of the integrated hardware (OTA-capable), it is future-proofed as well for further upgrades.
Another optional system is the Parking Package, which adds on Remote Parking Assists.
Passive safety includes six airbags, seat belts (reminders, pre-tensioners, anchors), ISOFIX, parking sensors (front, rear), reverse parking camera, 360-degree camera, door ajar warning, crash sensor, launch control, Driver Monitoring System, Hill Start Assist Control (HSAC), Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), security alarm with anti-theft and engine-immobiliser.
Several drive modes available. Standard for the Eletre and Eletre S are Range, Tour, Sport, Off-Road and Individual. The Eletre R adds on Track mode.
Installed is an ‘Intelligent Cockpit’ setup, featuring a centrally-mounted ‘floating’ 15.1-Inch full HD OLED display, which automatically folds flat when not in used.
The ultra-slim, one-billion-colour OLED unit from ECARX offers fully customisable displays via an advanced Driver Information Module (DIM), which is OTA-capable.
It is powered by a new Operating System, Lotus Hyper OS, with state-of-the-art server-level processing power from two Qualcomm 8155 System-On-Chips.
Next-generation real-time 3D content and experiences are made possible using ‘Unreal Engine’ technology from the gaming industry.
Then, it also comes standard with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and 5G compatibility, of which enables continuous connection via a smartphone app.
Plus, it also gets a nine-Inch foldable touchscreen infotainment display in the rear cabin, positioned angle-up for easier use on the fixed central armrest.
Incorporated are the rear air-conditioning controls for its four-zone automatic air-conditioning, media and, if opted, the rear seat power adjustment (four-seater layout).
The suite of ADAS will make long and short journeys less tiresome, at the same time easing the day-to-day manoeuvrability of the Hyper SUV.
Equipped as standard in the Eletre and Eletre R is a 1,380-W, 15-speaker KEF Premium setup with Uni-QTM and surround sound technology. The Eletre R gets the sports motor sound option.
Whereas, the Eletre S gets a 2,160-W, 23-speaker KEF Reference system with Uni-Q, Uni-Core and surround sound technology, enabling high-level performance while reducing the subwoofer or speaker volume significantly.
The all-new Eletre comes with a choice of two powertrains, each with two electric motors, one driving the front wheels and another the rear.
Eletre and Eletre S variants are powered by a single-speed system, delivering 603 HP and 710 NM of torque, whereas, the Eletre R comes with a dual-speed system, generating a juiced-up output of 905 HP and 985 NM of torque.
Mated to the engine is a single-speed automatic transmission.
Power is transmitted to all four wheels (AWD).
The Eletre and Eletre S accelerates from 0 to 100 KM/H in 4.5 seconds and from 80 to 120 KM/H in less than 2.2 seconds. Their top speed is 258 KM/H.
For the Eletre R, 0 to 100 KM/H is done in 2.95 seconds and 80 to 120 KM/H in less than 1.9 seconds. Its top speed is 265 KM/H.
Employing an 800-V electrical architecture, all three variants feature a 112-KWH battery and 350-KW DC fast charging.
This setup enables a rapid charging time of 10% to 80% State of Charge (SoC) in just 20 minutes. It also comes with 22-KW AC charging as standard.
Variants Eletre and Eletre S come with a range of 600 KM (WLTP), while the Eletre R has a range of 490 KM (WLTP).
The all-new Eletre has keyless entry and start system, hands-free powered-tailgate with opening height memory, four-zone auto-climate control (dedicated rear controls), front and rear dedicated infotainment system, multi-function steering wheel, auto-dimming interior rear-view mirror, auto-dimming side mirrors (Eletre S, Eletre R), power adjustable seats, auto-opaque electrochromic glass roof, front and rear armrests, 360-degree and reverse camera, front and rear parking sensors, rain sensing headlights and wipers, rear privacy glass (Eletre S, Eletre R), trunk light, voice control and speed sensing door locks.
There are rear air-conditioning vents with a set of dedicated controls.
Mechanically, to keep all this performance and weight in check, fitted is a five-link front and rear suspension, coming standard with active air suspension and adaptive dampers.
The Eletre R adds a Dynamic Handling Pack that includes active roll stabilisation and rear-wheel steering, of which are optional on the Eletre and Eletre S.
Elsewhere, it is very spacious with firm handling, and is suitable as a daily driver. Inside and out, performance- and comfort-wise, overall ride quality is satisfactory.
Good sound insulation with the NVH aspects accounted for. The cabin is acoustically designed, to enhance the in-car ambience and block out exterior noises.
Overall, the cabin is able to suppress unwanted noises well and make them barely noticeable even when cruising through bumpy asphalts.
The all-new Lotus Eletre is built with a sophisticatedly sporty appeal, while still being able to offer space and practicality.
Its beautifully sculpted exterior is very well designed, with the clean and seamless lines donating a powerful overall contour, emphasising its low-slung silhouette.
British-made, the quality of the equipment and materials installed inside, is also impressive with the upscale, mature design and restrained detailing.
Overall, it bargains more than just good looks, it also provides an absolute driving pleasure with its highly performing powertrain setups.