2023 Lotus Eletre Electric SUV: Release Date, Price. Wraps are off the much-awaited 2023 Lotus Eletre SUV, and it evokes many emotions. Lotus states that Elite takes the ‘body and soul’ of the Emira and the aerodynamic performance of the Evija electric hypercar. For this reason, the brand calls the Eletre a ‘hyper-SUV.’ It’s a turning point minute for the brand as the Elite, which indicates ‘coming to life in eastern European languages, is its first-ever SUV.
Design
Lotus Tech Creative Centre Limited (LTCC), the renamed Geely design studio in Warwickshire, UK, led the design work of the 2023 Lotus Elite. It is safe to presume that LTCC will likewise work on the design of Type 133 (four-door coupe), Type 134 (mid-size SUV), and Type 135 (electric cars), too. Back to the Elite, the design is reminiscent of the Lamborghini Urus, specifically from the front 3 quarter angle (refer to the main image). The Urus has actually altered the fortunes of Lamborghini, and Lotus definitely is exploring a comparable design technique.
Active front grille
The front of the 2023 Lotus Eletre is like a sports car, featuring a brief and low hood with aero work, a considerable active air intake at the bottom, and a muscular bumper. Upfront, there are ultra-slim ‘technical light clusters’ that house DRLs and turn indicators. The matrix headlamps are positioned below and seem to be concealed. One requires a keen eye to spot them initially glimpse. Lower down, the active grille with the triangular pattern stays closed when the EV is stationary or when the system senses a requirement to lower drag while driving. When required, they open up to cool the battery, front brakes, and electric motors.
LiDAR & camera-based mirrors
On the sides, the 2023 Lotus Elite sports strong shoulders and a smooth glass area. It has camera-based virtual mirrors with advantages like minimized vehicle width, wind, and drag noise. The door handles will likewise help, ingrained flush into the doors, adding to the sophisticated styling.
At the back, the 2023 Lotus Eletre flaunts a highly raked windshield, a concave surface area, a slim full-width tail light, a split rear spoiler, and a hexagonal license plate area. Up top, there are two LiDAR modules, one at the front and one at the back, which pop out when the ignition is switched on. LiDAR modules are present on the sides also and stay concealed when not in use. Lotus says that the Elite is fitted with routine mirrors in markets where local guidelines do not allow virtual mirrors.
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What’s more, there’s generous use of carbon fiber on the 2023 Lotus Elite. There’s carbon fiber on the bonnet, on the wheel arches, and on the rearview cameras, to name a few. Nevertheless, the weight-saving steps would just drop the scales marginally as the Eletre is inherently heavy given its 100+ kWh battery. Finally, the model showcased trips on huge 23-inch wheels with carbon inserts, which is an optional function. We expect lower versions to work on higher-profile tires.
2023 Lotus Elite Specifications
New Platform
Lotus states that its EV is be based on a brand-new ‘Electric Premium Architecture’ (EPA) that was revealed in April 2021. This platform supports C+ to E+ segment EVs having a wheelbase of 2,889-3,100 mm and a series of different battery sizes, motors, component designs, and advanced driving innovations. The Chinese media reported that the platform is connected to the Geely SEA open-source architecture underpinning the Zeekr 001, Smart # 1, and the upcoming Volvo metropolitan SUV.
800-volt architecture
The heading figures are truly outstanding, a minimum of on paper. The Eletre’s 800-volt architecture would allow charging its 100+ kWh battery for 248 miles of range in simply 20 minutes using a 350 kW DC fast battery charger. The targeted WLTP variety is 373 miles (600 km). The SUV will have double electric motors, one motor on each axle, making it AWD. Lotus says power will be north of 600 hp, and 0-62 miles per hour time is claimed to be under 3 seconds, which is insanely fast for a full-sized SUV that suggests scale over 2 tonnes. The top speed is restricted to 260 kmph.
The 2023 Lotus Eletre has a five-link rear suspension. Brake-based torque vectoring, adaptive air suspension, active anti-roll bars, carbon-ceramic brakes, and rear-wheel steering will be readily available optionally at launch. Dynamic torque vectoring will likewise be available. The EV includes five drive modes: Range, Tour, Sport, Off-road, and Individual, which change the steering, pedal, suspension, and motor reaction.
Interior & Features
Lotus worked together with Danish textile business Kvadrat for the interior of the Eletre. There’s generous use of resilient handmade micro-fibers and wool-blend fabrics in the interior. Tough touchpoints are covered in carbon fiber, and Lotus has actually also used recycled fiber in certain places. Nevertheless, like on most new cars, digital real estate is the emphasis of the new EV.
For beginners, there is no standard digital cluster. Rather, the Eletre has the ‘ribbon of technology,’ a ribbon-sized screen less than 30 mm high, displaying vital vehicle information to the driver and the co-driver. When not in use, between the 2 ribbons sits a 15.1-inch landscape-oriented OLED infotainment screen which immediately folds flat. Additionally, an enhanced reality heads-up display will be basic on the 2023 Lotus Eletre.
What’s admirable is that Lotus hasn’t conferred physical buttons to the history books like numerous other brand names. Certain functions like door lock/unlock, front and rear defoggers, gear selection, and hazard lights can be controlled with physical buttons. The steering likewise houses buttons for cruise control and browsing through the ‘ribbon’ screen. There are paddles behind the steering to manage various levels of brake energy regrowth.
Lotus says that a Panoramic glass sunroof is an optional feature in markets outside China.
Groundbreaking features for a Lotus
Lotus comprehends that Chinese clients are more into tech than normal Lotus purchasers in other markets, and it’s developing the interior that meets those expectations. Techies will have the ability to immerse themselves in the tech while driving enthusiasts would be able to remain concentrated totally on the core basics.
LiDAR & 5G capability
The 2023 Lotus Eletre features a LiDAR sensor that aids numerous driver-assist functions and improves the EV’s active security abilities. The electric SUV has LiDAR, just like the Volvo Recharge Concept-derived upcoming competitor (could be the Volvo Embla) with Luminar’s technology. The LiDAR system enables lots of advanced driver help systems like adaptive cruise control, traffic indication information, cross-traffic alert, crash mitigation, lane change/keep help and numerous other features. The Eletre will be ready for Level 4 self-governing driving by the time it goes on sale.
5G connection will be basic in the 2023 Lotus Eletre, enabling ultra-fast OTA updates. 5G connection is vital to the appropriate performance of V2X (vehicle-to-everything) interactions and precision positioning. And you also should read about the New 2023 Toyota Land Cruiser, so you can compare the feature of both these cars.
The Lotus brand name has typically been popular for its driver-focused cars. It’s an irony that Lotus is taking the attention far from the driver with technologies like LiDAR. Supplied that the Eletre will be sold in markets like China and Europe where there’s an increasing focus on self-governing driving, Lotus has decided to play with the rules and not versus them, even if it indicates shifting its core focus.
Production & Release Date
Consumer shipments of the 2023 Lotus Eletre will start in China, Europe, and the UK 2023. Appointments are open now on Lotus main website at EUR 2,500. 2023 Lotus Eletre will be manufactured at the brand’s new factory in Wuhan, China, starting in the fourth quarter (October-December 2022). CarNewsChina also reported on February 17, 2022, that production trials of the Lotus SUV would begin in the 4th quarter of 2022 in Hannan District of Wuhan city.
Thanks to Chinese production and sourcing, prices should be more appealing than that of international competitors. Lotus is locating its brand-new global head office in Wuhan and held a breaking-ground event in August 2021. It plans to open the new Lotus factory to make Lotus EVs for global markets quickly, and the brand-new Lotus Technology head office in 2024.
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As Lotus prepares for the transition to EVs, it’s drawing the curtain on its gasoline-powered models. The company has ended production of the Elise (1996-2021), Evora (2009-2021), and Exige (2000-2021). It produced 51,738 units of the 3Es over the course of 26 years– 35,124 Elises, 10,497 Exiges, and 6,117 Evoras. That’s practically half the overall cars it has produced in its 73-year history. These cars rested on the exact same platform which Tesla obtained for its initial Roadster (2,515 systems made from 2007 to 2012).
The Lotus Emira revealed in July 2021 will go into production this spring as the brand name’s last petrol-powered design. From there on, it’s a zero-emission future for the British automobile brand.
Lotus Technology IPO
A Lotus Technology IPO is under consideration, and roadshows to understand financier interest for the very same are underway, according to Autocar. According to the British publication, Lotus Cars has actually informed financiers that it plans to increase annual sales to 100,000 vehicles by 2028, and 90,000 would be electric SUVs and electric sedans made by Lotus Technology. The Lotus Technology IPO might take place within two years, however a choice concerning the area (stock market) is still pending. The Chinese investor community has actually signified a “strong” yes to the relocation, a business spokesman said.
2023 Lotus Eletre Competitors
Extremely focused on performance, Lotus won’t pitch the 2023 Lotus Eletre as a direct competitor to any existing electric SUV. “We will not benchmark any rivals,” Lotus Technology CMO Qingyan told Autohome in an interview at the 2021 Guangzhou Auto Show. He stated that the upcoming electric SUV would not have lots of competitors, and the company will place it as a greater design (compared to the few competitors that exist). Unlike common made-for-China designs that concentrate on the rear-seat guests, it will be a driver’s car.
Provided its positioning, the 2023 Lotus Eletre will interest the customers of the Tesla Model X, BMW iX, and Mercedes EQE SUV. As Lotus is a performance brand, the primary targets must be possible Model X Plaid, EQE-AMG SUV, and the iX M60. Interested clients can register their interest online on the Lotus Cars website.
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Qingyan suggested that the business will need to make a great deal of marketing efforts ahead of the EV blitz. In main overseas markets like the EU nations, the UK, and China, it will likely need to build new company-owned display rooms and an online buying system, introduce brand-new brand name campaigns, and get ready for a greater level of after-sales service requires or standards.
2023 Lotus Eletre FAQs
What is the 2023 Lotus Eletre release date?
2023 Lotus Eletre was unveiled on March 29, and deliveries will begin in China, Europe & the UK in 2023. Appointments are open.
Will Lotus release its new electric SUVs in the U.S.?
Lotus has actually not announced its U.S. entry, however, it is too huge a market for EVs for the company not to consider.
What will be the 2023 Lotus Eletre range?
The Lotus electric SUV will take a trip of 373 miles (Lotus target specification) on a full charge.
