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Lotus is planning to broaden past the world of light-weight sports activities automobiles by launching its first SUV, an electrical efficiency providing often known as the Eletre, which we first noticed in March.
The market launch is not scheduled till someday in 2023, so it is not stunning that Lotus remains to be testing prototypes, together with at Germany’s Nürburgring the place this video was taken. It reveals the SUV being examined laborious, maybe in preparation for a file try.
The quickest SUV across the ‘Ring is the Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT, which wanted simply 7:38.925 to finish a lap. And the quickest EV is one other Porsche, the Taycan Turbo S sedan, which managed a 7:33.35 lap time.
Lotus is but to disclose full specs on the Eletre however the SUV is predicted to be extra highly effective than each Porsches. What we are able to verify is that the entry-level mannequin will include a dual-motor all-wheel-drive powertrain good for not less than 600 hp. Even this entry-level mannequin will ship 0-60 mph instances of lower than three seconds and a high pace of 161 mph. Nonetheless, a three-motor powertrain with greater than 900 hp is predicted and will probably set new data on the ‘Ring.
The Eletre relies on a modular EV platform known as Electrical Premium Structure, and it is quite a bit greater than you may count on. Measuring in at 200.9 inches, the Eletre is longer than a Vary Rover and shut in size to some full-size luxurious sedans. Lotus hasn’t mentioned how a lot the Eletre weighs, nevertheless it’s rumored the goal curb weight is round 4,400 lb, or near a 1,000 lb lighter than an Audi E-Tron or Tesla Mannequin X. That is with a 100-plus-kwh battery that Lotus estimates will ship greater than 300 miles of vary.
Though the Eletre begins gross sales in 2023, timing for the U.S. hasn’t been introduced. Aan arrival for the 2024 mannequin yr is predicted, nevertheless. Manufacturing will likely be dealt with at a newly constructed plant in Wuhan, China, making this the primary Lotus to be constructed exterior of the U.Okay. Lotus can even construct a smaller crossover and a four-door coupe on the Chinese language plant, beginning in 2025 and 2023, respectively, whereas manufacturing of sports activities automobiles will stay on the firm’s house in Hethel, U.Okay.
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