Lotus has also picked up the pace of electrification, with the Eletre now making its way into Europe and China next year, and then into the U.S. Obviously, high-performance electric vehicles are the aura on their bodies, but under the aura, can this new warrior in the industry afford it?
The shadow of "electric" can be seen in the product name, Lotus has equipped the new car with a dual-motor system, powered by a 100 kWh battery pack, which will exceed 600 horsepower. Lotus said the car has an acceleration time of about 3 seconds from 0-100 km/h and a top speed of up to 260 km/h.
According to the European WLTP cycle, the Lotus Eletre has a range of about 600 kilometers. The new car uses an 800-volt electric system, which can travel about 400 kilometers in 20 minutes. According to Geely's plan, Lotus will only produce electric vehicles by 2030, and its business scope will also expand to the United States and other markets.
Jointly developed by Lotus and Geely, the electric vehicle has a flexible overall architecture that makes it easy to arrange batteries, motors and smart technologies of different specifications. Eletre uses technologies such as air suspension, active anti-roll bars, rear wheel steering and torque vectoring control systems to lay the foundation for improved performance. In addition, the vehicle has a variety of driving mode options for the driver to choose from.
Lotus Eletre is equipped with a series of advanced equipment, including four hidden lidar units, which can help vehicles achieve point-to-point autonomous driving capabilities, and users can use their smartphones to complete the automatic parking of the vehicle. Lotus said vehicles could also achieve better autonomous driving capabilities through over-the-air upgrades once local regulations allow.
Designed, lotus Eletre has a large size and wheelbase, a low body, grilles and vents to meet aerodynamic needs. The suspended roof quickly slides off at the rear, showing certain coupe characteristics. Details such as the rear wing and vents at the rear are also important aerodynamic features. At first glance, Lotus Eletre has a bit of a Lamborghini meaning, but it seems more concise.
The Lotus Eletre is available in four- and five-seater models, with carefully selected interior materials ranging from carbon to premium rayon to create a high-end vibe. The vehicle is equipped with a 15.1-inch OLED touch screen, and important functions are very simple to recall. When not in use, the display screen folds automatically, allowing the driver to grasp the relevant information through the augmented reality head-up display system.
Lotus hopes that this new car will bring the essence of the brand's heritage, as well as the versatility of the SUV, and its actual completion will naturally need to be tested. I believe that past experiences and lessons will help Lotus's new students, so that Eletre will not be drowned in the growing group of so-called "high-performance SUVs".