The Lotus Eletre is the first of a new breed of Lotuses – it’s an electric SUV built in China. This is our first drive review of the new car.

There are three versions of the Eletre. A base Eletre and this Eletre S, which both have 603bhp, and then 905bhp Eletre R. This S model would lose out in a drag race against the fastest rivals, but it can still do 0-62mph in 4.5sec and has a 160mph top speed.

Underneath there’s a 109kWh battery, two electric motors, and it can be charged at up to 350kW. On the WLTP combined cycle, the Eletre S has a range of 373 miles.

It has air-springs as standard, with 48v active anti-roll bars and active rear-steer as options, and fitted to our test car, along with 22in alloy wheels. There’s electric power steering, a first for Lotus, too.

At 2520kg this is a Lotus like no other. But what’s it like? Join Matt Prior as we discover just how capable the Eletre is, and whether it fees like a Lotus at all.

TIMELINE
00:00 Introduction
00:55 Engineering, Description
02:55 Interior
05:40 Performance, Powertrain
07:20 Ride and Handling
12:00 Conclusion

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