The Eletre is the first of a trio of EVs Lotus plans to launch over the next four years.
The upshot? The Eletre is the British brand's first utility vehicle and a crucial play for the anticipated boom in demand for battery-electric luxury SUVs. The design and luxury features of the vehicle are noteworthy. The best glimpse of what Lotus has in store for the future is provided by a whopping four lidar sensors that pop out when needed.
The basics are first. The company is owned by Etika automotive and is packing in power, Torque and a decent battery range.
The 800-volt electric architecture of the Eletre allows for fast charging. The SUV can rocket from 0 to 60 mph in less than three seconds with the help of two electric motors. The Eletre will be able to travel 373 miles on a full charge thanks to the battery pack from Lotus. In 20 minutes, a 350-kilowatt charge can add more than 200 miles.
The Eletre has four drive modes, including one for off road, which adjusts the steering, damper settings, powertrain and pedal response. Other features can be added, such as an anti-roll bar, a rear-axle steering, and optional 23-inch wheels.
The vehicle will go into production in China later this year.
The image is from Lotus.
The new model heralds a momentous point in our history and a clear signal of our ongoing desire to transform our business, according to Lotus Cars managing director Matt Windle.
The aim is to turn this momentous point in history into momentous future profits.
It's difficult to identify the competitors because Lotus didn't share pricing information. Depending on its price, it may compete with some of the more upscale SUVs that register as top-sellers for luxury brands.
There is a growing list of potential competitors. The all-electric SUVs will be called the Grecale and the battery-powered version of the Levante. The $300,000 Purosangue is expected later this year.
Lotus has Eletre with sensors and other hardware that can be activated via over-the-air software updates to improve or add features to its advanced driver assistance system.
Mercedes-Benz, Volvo and now, Lotus are all using Lidar, the light detection and ranging sensor that is seen as the key to safely deploy self-drive vehicles. The automakers see lidar as a necessary sensor in order to provide redundant features for specific driving features. At least not yet.
The image is from Lotus.
This seems to be how Lotus will use lidar in the Eletre. Lotus plans to use four lidar sensors, which can be deployed or pop out when needed. The lidar sensors are hidden when not required, only emerging from the top of the windscreen, the top of the rear glass, and from the front wheel arches.
The vehicle will eventually be able to enter and exit parking spots via the app. The company is thinking beyond parking according to comments from the vice president of Lotus Technology and the managing director of the Lotus Tech Innovation Center in Germany.
He said in a statement that ADAS technologies such as LIDAR sensors and cameras will become increasingly common on new cars as we move into a more self-sufficient era.
Current U.S. regulations prohibit the use of a camera-based mirror system. Three different cameras are used for the rear-view mirror, a second to create a panoramic view of the car from above to aid parking, and a third for the advanced driver assistance system. Lotus said the cameras work in tandem with the lidar system.
Lotus doesn't give more information about what it means beyond parking. There are many challenges to overcome, including a system with compute power and software as well as an intuitive user experience, before a vehicle can have effective and safe autonomously driving features.
Four lidar sensors and three cameras suggest the company's ambitions extend to other limited or conditional features.
The image is from Lotus.
The company calls it the principle of air flowing through the car as well as under, over and around it for better aerodynamics, range and efficiency. When it designed the Evija hypercar, Lotus leaned into porosity.
The Eletre has it and it shows that this design innovation is here to stay. The air channels can be seen at the lower grille, front fender and near the taillights.
The grille has a network of triangular petals that stay shut if the car is not moving or if there is a need to reduce drag. When cooling of the electric motor, battery pack and front brakes is required, they open to feed air into the radiator.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
