Lotus wanted to make waves when it revealed the Eletre SUV. The Eletre would not only be Lotus’s first SUV, but also its first all-electric utility offering so the pressure on Lotus to get it right was immense. We enjoyed our first taste of the Eletre awhile back and buyers in the U.S. will soon be able to take their first drive behind the wheel too with the company not only opening ordering for the SUV, but also revealing final pricing as well.
Eletre Expected To Appeal To Family Buyers
When the first Lotus Eletres make their way to Lotus showrooms, buyers will be able to choose from two variants, the base Eletre and the spicy Eletre R. Buyers that go for the base model will be greeted with a base price of $107,000 which is in the figurative sweet spot of the segment. This flavor of Eletre is still a potent SUV with this model being powered by a dual-electric powertrain that helps it produce a combined system output of 603 hp and 710 lb-ft of torque (450/524 in its default mode. this version of the Eletre also gets 304-354 miles of range according to WTLP measurements.
Meanwhile, the $145,000 R model is all about raw performance with this model using a beefier version of the aforementioned dual-motor setup. This setup benefits from upgrades that allowed the company to boost power to 905 hp and 985 lb-ft of torque. We experienced this setup in an R ourselves and the amount of performance here is impressive with the SUV making 675 hp when it’s not placed in track mode. Range does dip a bit when compared to its slightly tamer sibling with Lotus saying that this model gets 254-280 miles when subjected to the same WTLP measurements.
At the end of the day though, the Eletre was designed for family buyers and the two-row SUV features high-end materials to help ensure the entire family rides in comfort and style. That includes environmentally sustainable materials like ReFiber and seven different screens that all work together to create an immersive infotainment experience. Audiophiles will also be pleased with the KEF premium audio system.
Customization To Play Key Part In Buying Experience
While the performance that the Eletre brings to the table is one part of the equation, Lotus is also banking on buyers that want a distinct package for their SUV enjoyment. The company confirmed that the SUV will have seven different exterior colors to choose from: Kaimu Grey, Blossom Grey (Our favorite hue), Stellar Grey, Akoya White, Solar Yellow, Red, and Galloway Green.
It’s not known if Lotus’s recently announced Lotus Chapman Bespoke service will be available for Eletre buyers at launch, but look for the service to eventually expand to this model as well after it has had a chance to cement itself with the Emira (review pending.) This service offers Emira buyers the ability to customize paint colors, interior materials, and more to customize the vehicle to their unique tastes. Look for this service to resonate just as well with Eletre buyers looking to add their own footprint to the Eletre. However, they will need to wait a bit since the service is initially slated to be only offered in China for now before spreading to other markets later.
We look forward to spending more time with the Eletre in the future to see if it can maintain its glamour and EV charms in long-term exposure.
Carl Malek has been an automotive journalist for over 10 years. First starting out as a freelance photographer before making the transition to writing during college, his work has appeared on numerous automotive forums as well as websites such as Autoshopper.com.
Carl is also a big fan of British vehicles with the bulk of his devotion going to the Morgan Motor Company as well as offerings from Lotus, MG, and Caterham. When he is not writing about automobiles, Carl enjoys spending time with his family and friends in the Metro Detroit area, as well as spending time with his adorable pets.