Lotus’ transformation into a global performance car brand has reached its most significant milestone. The British manufacturer presents Eletre, the first electric SUV in Lotus history. 100% electric, the Eletre SUV shows a completely new style for Lotus and will be the first in a series of different high-wheel, zero-emission models. According to the statement, the model takes Lotus’ core principles and Dna from more than 70 years of sports car design and engineering and translates them into a completely new lifestyle car dedicated to the next generation of customers.
“The Eletre was a rare creative opportunity in performance car design – the chance to start with a blank sheet of paper and develop an entirely new vehicle that will take a brand in a brand new direction,” says Peter Horbury, Senior Vice President, Executive Advisor, Design, Lotus. “There has been a close working relationship and a lot of collaboration between Lotus design studios in Warwickshire and Hethel. The result is a Hyper-Suv that is truly different from what is on the market today; the electric powertrain inspired a cab-forward design that echoes the iconic mid-engine layout of Lotus sports cars, creating a look and stance that is unique in the segment,” continues Horbury.
The Eletre is based on Lotus’ new Electric Premium Architecture (EPA) platform, an architecture capable of easily adapting to different battery sizes, engines, component layouts and smart driving technologies in vehicles ranging from C-segment to E. The design of the Lotus Eletre was led by Ben Payne. Creative freedom comes from the absence of a gasoline engine, while the short hood echoes styling cues from Lotus’ iconic mid-engine layout. Overall, an impression of lightness dominates, creating the idea that this is a luxury sports car rather than an SUV. The “carved from the air” design ethos that inspired the Evija and Emira is immediately apparent.
A distinctive element of the design is its ‘porosity’: the aerodynamic principle of air flowing through the car as well as under, over and around it. Porosity was central to the design of the Evija, is an integral part of the Emira and provided clear inspiration for the Eletre. The driver-centric cabin and high center console are inspired by the Lotus Emira and Evija. The Lotus philosophy of lightening or removing material when not needed is clearly illustrated in the instrument cluster, while the center section of the floating wing has been eliminated, echoing the design of the rear spoiler. The center console includes a space for wireless smartphone charging, as well as two cupholders of different sizes that stay flush with the surface when not needed.
