Insatiable demand for SUVs everywhere in the globe however significantly in key markets similar to China and the U.S. has led to corporations even like Lotus, whose popularity is constructed on light-weight sports activities vehicles, becoming a member of the development.

However with its new Eletre revealed on Tuesday, there’s the prospect Lotus will have the ability to stay as much as to its “efficiency by means of light-weight” mantra, a minimum of so far as electrical SUVs, that are notoriously heavy, are involved.

Piston Heads, citing firm insiders, reported on Wednesday that Lotus’ goal weight for the Eletre is about 4,400 kilos. That is actually not mild, nevertheless it’s significantly lighter than the curb weights of rival choices. The Audi E-Tron and Tesla Mannequin X each weigh near 900 kilos greater than the Lotus. And the Lotus is not any small factor. At 200.9 inches, the Eletre is longer than each the E-Tron and Mannequin X. It is also longer than a Vary Rover and shut in size to some full-size luxurious sedans.

Serving to to get the burden down is the Eletre’s bespoke platform, a modular EV design referred to as the Electrical Premium Structure (beforehand Evolution). It integrates a battery of greater than 100 kilowatt-hours of capability, and options in depth use of aluminum over metal to cut back weight. The physique of the Eletre additionally options a mixture of aluminum and carbon fiber to additional shed the kilos. For consumers trying to shed much more kilos, there might be a carbon-ceramic brake choice on supply.

Lotus is saving detailed specs till nearer to the market launch in 2023. Timing for the U.S. hasn’t been introduced however an arrival for the 2024 mannequin yr is predicted. What we will affirm is that the entry-level mannequin will include a dual-motor all-wheel-drive powertrain good for a minimum of 600 hp. Even this entry-level mannequin will ship 0-60 mph occasions of lower than three seconds and a high velocity of 161 mph. A 3-motor powertrain with greater than 900 hp must also be provided sooner or later.

After the launch of the Eletre, Lotus will launch a Kind 133 four-door coupe in 2023 and a Kind 134 small SUV in 2025. Lotus will then launch a Kind 135 sports activities automobile in 2026, a mannequin that’s to be twinned with an Alpine sports activities automobile. All of the automobiles might be electrical, as Lotus has confirmed that the lately launched Emira sports activities automobile is the final to be fitted with an internal-combustion engine.