The all-new, all-electric Lotus Eletre is a remarkable and revolutionary Hyper-SUV

Lotus Cars Malaysia recently launched the much-awaited Eletre, a fully electric high-performance SUV (“Hyper-SUV”), taking the key ideas and Lotus DNA from almost 75 years of sports car design and engineering. 

The first of a new breed of pure electric SUVs, the Eletre also marks other firsts for Lotus, including the first model outside sports car segments, and the first lifestyle EV. The Lotus Eletre has advanced active aerodynamics package of any SUV and gives excellent ride and handling, communicative steering and exceptional driver engagement.

All three variants are available for the Malaysian market — Eletre, Eletre S and the range-topping Eletre R. 

The Eletre is built on Lotus’ new and versatile 800v Electric Premium Architecture (“EPA”) with an integrated, high-voltage power distribution system. This architecture uses aluminium and high-tensile steel for optimum structural rigidity. 

The versatile EPA can also easily adapt to accommodate C+ to E+ vehicle class battery sizes, motors, component layouts and intelligent driving technologies. The Lotus Eletre comes with a choice of two powertrains, each with two electric motors, one driving the front wheels and another driving the rear wheels to deliver all-wheel-drive capabilities. 

The Eletre and Eletre S are powered by a single-speed system to deliver 603hp and 710Nm of torque with 0-100m/h performance of 4.5 seconds and 80-120km/h in less than 2.2 seconds. Both variants are capable of achieving top speeds of 258km/h and a maximum Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (“WLTP”) driving range of 600km. 

The flagship Eletre R comes with a dual-speed system that offers an output of 905hp and 985Nm of torque. Capable of delivering a century sprint time of just 2.95 seconds and an acceleration of 80-120km/h in less than 1.9 seconds with a top speed of 265km/h, it is currently the world’s fastest dual-motor pure electric SUV. Maximum WLTP driving for the Eletre R is 490km.

All three variants feature a 112 kWh battery and a 350kW charger that enables a rapid charging time of 10 to 80 percent in 20 minutes. 

Every Eletre comes with exceptional dynamics and comfort. The front and rear multi-link suspension with air suspension, Continuous Damping Control, torque vectoring by braking, active front grille, and “floating” split roof spoiler optimise aerodynamics, ride and handling.

Aerodynamic triangular petals form Eletre’s active front grille. They remain closed when the car is at rest or when there’s a need to reduce drag during driving, and open in a unique way to feed air into the radiator, allowing the Eletre to “breathe” when cooling of the electric motors, battery pack and front brakes is required.

Lotus’s design team gave the vehicle a cab-forward silhouette, long wheelbase, and short front and rear overhangs. There is a visual lightness to the car, giving the impression of a high-riding sports car rather than an SUV.