Lotus Eletre R (900 Sport/Sport Carbon)

Overview

Meet the 2025 Lotus Eletre R, the brand's first-ever SUV and a statement piece in the emerging "hyper-SUV" category. This isn't your grandad's lightweight sports car; it's a radical reinterpretation of the Lotus ethos, blending blistering performance with five-seat practicality. As the top-tier model, the Eletre R is the ultimate expression of electric power, targeting rivals with its exotic looks and track-honed dynamics. With an eye-watering starting price of $229,900 in the US, it's positioned as an exclusive, high-performance halo vehicle for the legendary British brand.

What's New for 2025?

For the US market, the entire Eletre lineup is brand new, marking a monumental shift for Lotus. The 2025 model year represents its grand entrance into North America, bringing a completely new platform, design language, and electric powertrain to a new generation of buyers. While it arrives initially with a standard CCS Type 1 charge port, Lotus has already announced its future adoption of the NACS (Tesla) standard, with adapters planned for early models to ensure seamless access to the expanding charging network.

Design & Exterior

The Eletre R's design is pure drama, guided by a "carved by air" philosophy that creates a porous, aerodynamic shape. Its aggressive stance is defined by active aero elements and the R trim's signature carbon fiber accents that signal its extreme performance intent. This is a substantial vehicle, measuring 200.9 inches long and 79.5 inches wide, yet its sleek 64.4-inch height maintains a sporty profile. The stunning full-width front and rear light bars give it an unmistakable and menacing road presence, day or night.

Interior, Tech & Cargo

Inside, the Eletre R feels like a high-tech command center, trimmed with premium, sustainable materials and a driver-focused cockpit. The centerpiece is a brilliant 15.1-inch central OLED touchscreen, complemented by slim digital displays for both the driver and front passenger. Despite its supercar heart, it’s surprisingly practical, offering a useful 21.6 cubic feet of trunk space, which expands to a generous 54.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. A handy 1.6 cubic-foot frunk adds extra storage for charging cables or small bags.

Performance & Driving Experience

Get ready for a shock to the system. The Eletre R is an absolute monster, packing a 905-horsepower dual-motor AWD system that launches this hyper-SUV from 0-60 mph in a neck-snapping 2.8 seconds. With 726 lb-ft of instant torque on tap from its dual permanent magnet synchronous motors, the acceleration is simply brutal. Thanks to a sophisticated air suspension, active anti-roll control, and rear-wheel steering, it promises to defy its 6,007-pound curb weight, delivering the sharp, agile handling you’d expect from a true Lotus.

Range, Battery & Charging

The Eletre R's immense power is supplied by a large 109 kWh usable battery pack. Based on Green Cars Compare's calculations, this provides a real-world range of approximately 234 miles, with an efficiency of 2.15 mi/kWh. The vehicle’s advanced 800V architecture is the star of the show, enabling a mind-blowing maximum DC fast charging speed of 367 kW, which can replenish the battery from 10-80% in about 20 minutes. For home charging, the standard 22 kW AC on-board charger is exceptionally fast.

Safety & Driver-Assistance Features

Lotus has equipped the Eletre R with a cutting-edge sensor suite, highlighted by a world-first deployable LiDAR system built into the roof. This advanced hardware powers a comprehensive collection of standard driver-assistance systems, including intelligent adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and a high-definition surround-view camera system. While official US safety ratings from the NHTSA are not yet available for this new model, the sophisticated tech provides a robust safety net for all occupants.

Warranty & Maintenance Coverage

For peace of mind, Lotus backs the Eletre R with a competitive warranty. The new vehicle limited warranty provides coverage for 5 years or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first. Crucially for an EV, the high-voltage battery and electric drive unit are protected for 8 years or 100,000 miles. This includes a guarantee that the battery will retain at least 70% of its original state of health during that period, securing the car’s long-term performance and value.