Calling the Eletre a Lotus takes an enormous leap of religion. A big, heavy, electrical SUV couldn’t be a better departure from the lithe sports activities automobiles that drove Lotus into the hearts of fans in all places. Simply this 2024 Lotus Eletre, you’ll be able to think about Colin Chapman rolling in his grave.

However Lotus—or, maybe extra importantly, Chinese language dad or mum firm Geely—is aware of that area of interest little two-seaters don’t a worthwhile automobile firm make. So if Lotus needs to have the funding for particular tasks like the Evija hypercar, it has to steadiness that by making automobiles with better mass-market enchantment.

Thus the Eletre, although it definitely doesn’t seem like any previous mainstream SUV. The styling is wild, and the proportions are exhausting to gauge in photographs. At 200.9 inches lengthy, the Eletre is 2.1 inches longer than a Ford Explorer, nevertheless it has a low roofline that provides it extra of a tall wagon vibe, particularly in profile.

However at the very least that bizarre design serves a goal. What this SUV lacks in outright magnificence it makes up for with aerodynamic excellence. Each little vent and cut-through improves aero, and Lotus says the Eletre has a powerful drag coefficient of 0.26, making it one of many slipperiest SUVs on the highway. This helps with the all-important driving vary: As a lot as 373 miles, in line with optimistic European WLTP testing, which shall be enormously diminished beneath our stricter EPA requirements.

Beneath the pores and skin, the Eletre is comparatively simple. There’s a 112-kwh lithium-ion battery pack organized within the conventional skateboard type, which Lotus says can settle for charging speeds of as much as 350 kw—or maybe extra, the corporate was imprecise about this. Each the bottom model and midrange Eletre S have a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive setup producing 603 hp and 524 lb-ft of torque, permitting them to speed up to 62 mph in 4.5 seconds. Not dangerous, contemplating the 5,500-pound curb weight.

Lotus Eletre

Lotus Eletre

Lotus Eletre

A better-output Eletre R makes use of the identical battery pack, however its rear electrical motor has a 2-speed transmission, just like the Porsche Taycan. The R presents 905 hp and 726 lb-ft of torque, decreasing the 0-to-62 time to 2.9 seconds. However surprisingly, as fast as that’s, launching the Eletre lacks thrill.

Exhausting launching a variety of efficiency EVs form of looks like getting rear-ended by a semi truck in that it’s so instantaneous. However the Eletre takes a second—nicely, a millisecond, anyway—earlier than it takes off. When you do rise up to larger speeds, the SUV will get somewhat unwieldy. The entrance finish strikes round a bit and the entire thing begins to really feel floaty—one thing I by no means thought I might say a couple of Lotus. That’s solely at 100 mph, by the best way; I’m not allowed to go any sooner.

Lotus requested that I put the Eletre R in Sport mode for my two laps round a coned-off autocross course, so I can’t inform you if the Monitor setting makes any type of significant distinction on a, um, observe. You’ll be able to undoubtedly really feel the R’s 5,800-pound curb weight whereas cornering, however the usual lively air suspension and 48-volt-powered lively anti-roll bars do a pleasant job of smoothing out physique motions The Eletre is keen to dive rapidly into turns and feels nicely composed in an autocross setting.

The overwhelming majority of my time within the Eletre is spent on Norway’s beautiful and closely pace regulated public roads, behind the wheel of an S. It accelerates easily and rides properly, however as a result of the roads round Oslo are so meticulously maintained, it’s robust to get a way of how this factor would experience over damaged pavement, particularly outfitted with the biggest 22- or 23-inch wheels.

4 ranges of regenerative braking are supplied, and I toggle by means of them by way of what could be the left paddle shifter mounted to the steering wheel. The steps between these settings are noticeable, and whereas the heaviest-handed mode doesn’t utterly permit for one-pedal driving, it’s fairly shut. Transitioning to the mechanical brakes is a easy course of, with no sudden chunk when the regen provides method to precise friction. The pre-selected regeneration setting stays the identical when switching between Sport, Tour, and Vary modes as nicely.

Lotus Eletre

Lotus Eletre

Lotus Eletre

Sadly, there’s not way more to say in regards to the Eletre from a efficiency standpoint. At no level may I really ever hustle the Eletre, given Norway’s penchant for putting pace cameras alongside public roads, and for the slow-moving Norwegian drivers who diligently obey the sluggish pace limits. I can inform you the steering is gentle however appropriately tuned for such a big SUV, and it’s quiet and comfy sufficient inside that spending two days behind the wheel proves a cinch.

Properly, principally. If there’s one main quirk to the Eletre’s driving expertise, it’s the driver-assistance know-how. Look intently and also you’ll discover a cut-out within the SUV’s roof simply above the windshield; that’s the place the pop-up lidar system is housed. Lotus suits this as customary to each Eletre, and whereas the SUV at the moment solely has a fundamental record of capabilities—you’ll be able to’t take your arms off the wheel a la GM’s Tremendous Cruise—the corporate says this lidar prepares the car for future autonomous functions. You can too hear it rising and reducing, which is annoying.

Utilizing the adaptive cruise management and lane-departure warning tech is a little bit of a combined bag. The lane-departure warning system is extremely delicate; should you even get near a aspect line, it’ll chime. The adaptive cruise, in the meantime, actually must be smoothed out. On a number of events, the Eletre has a tricky time regulating its personal pace, rapidly dashing up and slowing down in an try and hold a following distance from a lead automobile. It jogs my memory of using in a New York taxi, the place the driving force makes use of the fuel extra like an on/off swap than an precise throttle. Hopefully, future over-the-air software program updates will easy out this challenge.

Lotus Eletre

Lotus Eletre

Lotus Eletre

One little bit of tech that doesn’t want a lot work, nonetheless, is the central multimedia system. The 15.1-inch show is powered by Epic Video games’ Unreal Engine, a little bit of {hardware} that permits extremely detailed and colourful graphics with glorious processing energy, so responses to inputs are instant. Lotus’ native infotainment design has considerably of a steep studying curve, nevertheless it’s straightforward to get used to after awhile. You don’t have a selection in that matter, both; Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are usually not suitable (for now).

Lotus is extremely happy with its mixture KEF and Dolby Atmos surround-sound stereo—a lot so, in actual fact, that it gained’t allow you to change any of the audio settings. You can not regulate the bass, treble, steadiness, or fader like you’ll be able to in nearly each different automobile on the planet. Whereas the system is nice for many tracks, something bass-heavy turns into actually bass-heavy, and this could possibly be an issue if in case you have passengers (or pets) who’re delicate to sure vibrations or tones.

The motive force has a large however quick 12.7-inch digital gauge display, and a big head-up show tasks redundant information onto the windshield. Weirdly, if in case you have an lively navigation route, turn-by-turn instructions don’t seem in both of those driver shows, so that you’ll must depend on the audio prompts or central display for route information. Passengers get their very own 12.7-inch display as nicely, nevertheless it’s extraordinarily restricted in performance.

This SUV is extremely nicely appointed, with a degree of match and end you may not anticipate from Lotus—an organization not essentially identified for its construct high quality. Comfortable leather-based surfaces mix with actual metallic switchgear, and Alcantara is obtainable, too, if that’s your factor. The electrochromic sunroof routinely tints and untints primarily based on the surface gentle circumstances, and you may simply override this within the infotainment display.

The Eletre will be optioned in four- or five-seat configurations, the previous with two devoted cut-outs within the rear versus a straight-up bench. Each rows of seats have a ton of legroom, and headroom isn’t too dangerous, both, particularly given the comparatively quick car top. Behind the again bench, you’ll discover 21.6 cubic toes of cargo house, which expands to 54.1 with the seats folded flat.

Lotus Eletre

All of this positions the Eletre as a fairly well-rounded electrical luxurious crossover, one which’s nicely positioned to tackle the likes of the Mercedes-Benz AMG EQE SUV or BMW iX M60. Lotus hasn’t introduced U.S. pricing for the Eletre but, nevertheless it’ll possible begin proper round six figures, with the S commanding $120,000 and the R going for $140,000-$150,000.

So sure, it’s costly, however the higher query is: The place do you purchase one? Lotus has an almost nonexistent seller community within the U.S., and whereas firm officers say they’re engaged on quickly enhancing this footprint, that stuff takes a variety of time. (Good day, Genesis.) There’s additionally not sufficient core Lotus-ness within the Eletre to enchantment to die-hard model loyalists—individuals who purchase these automobiles for his or her easy, purist nature. They most likely gained’t soar by means of all the mandatory hoops to get one among these.

There’s lots to love in regards to the Eletre. It’s a stable luxurious EV that undoubtedly stands out from the gang. Is it a Lotus? Not likely. Is it value your consideration? Completely.

—by Steven Ewing

Lotus paid for journey and lodging for Motor Authority to convey you this firsthand report.