Lotus Eletre R (900 Sport/Sport Carbon) is the British marque's electrifying leap into the hyper-SUV fray, and boy, does it make an entrance! This isn't just any EV; it's a Lotus, meaning performance and handling are baked in. The 'R' trim is the full-fat, top-dog version, promising mind-bending pace with family-friendly practicality. It positions itself against the performance EV elite, with new models around €151,990 and used examples fetching approximately €129,995 in the EU. It’s a seriously potent package designed to thrill.
The 2025 Lotus Eletre R continues to spearhead the range, fresh from its recent global launch. For this model year, expect the latest over-the-air software updates, keeping its cutting-edge infotainment and advanced driver-assistance systems perfectly honed. While major hardware overhauls aren't on the cards for the 'R' so soon after its debut, Lotus is known for continuous refinement. The focus remains on delivering that exhilarating, top-tier Eletre experience, packed with tech and blistering performance credentials that define this 900 Sport/Sport Carbon beast.
Phwoar! The Eletre R (900 Sport/Sport Carbon) is a stunner, looking like it’s been sculpted by the wind itself, thanks to Lotus's "porosity" design philosophy. It’s massive, stretching 5103 mm long, 2019 mm wide (mirrors folded!), and 1636 mm tall. The R trim gets all the go-faster bits, including plenty of carbon fibre detailing, an active rear spoiler, and aggressive aerodynamic elements that scream performance. Those distinctive matrix LED lights and massive alloys complete the hyper-SUV look, making it a real head-turner wherever it rolls.
Step inside the Eletre R, and you're greeted by a cabin that’s both properly posh and super sporty, with a focus on sustainable materials. There's ample room for five, thanks to its generous dimensions. Tech-wise, you’re sorted with a massive central infotainment screen, a sleek digital driver’s display, and even one for the passenger! Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, naturally. For your kit, there’s a hefty 611-litre boot, expanding to 1532 litres with seats down, plus a handy 46-litre frunk for charging cables or smaller bits.
Hold on tight! The Eletre R is an absolute rocketship, catapulting from 0-100 km/h in a blistering 2.9 seconds. This neck-snapping pace comes courtesy of its dual Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors (one front, one rear) churning out a colossal 675 kW and 985 Nm of torque, channelled through an advanced all-wheel-drive system. Expect classic Lotus agility, surprisingly sharp handling for its size thanks to air suspension and active roll control, plus configurable drive modes including a wild ‘Track’ setting. Powerful regenerative braking helps keep things efficient when you’re not mashing the go-pedal.
Under the skin, the Eletre R packs a substantial 109 kWh usable battery, giving a real-world range estimate of around 376 km, as calculated by Green Cars Compare, with an efficiency of 3.45 km/kWh. Its 800V architecture allows for mega-fast DC charging via its CCS Type 2 port at up to 367 kW, meaning a 10-80% top-up can be done in about 20 minutes! At home, the standard 22 kW AC onboard charger will juice it up in around 5 hours. It even supports V2L. On 400V DC chargers, it still pulls a respectable 80kW.
Safety is top-notch in the Eletre R, which inherits the standard Eletre's impressive 5-star Euro NCAP rating. It’s packed with advanced driver-assistance systems, many leveraging its deployable LiDAR sensor. Expect features like intelligent adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and a comprehensive suite of parking aids as standard on this top-tier trim. Higher-level autonomous driving capabilities, like a sophisticated Highway Assist system, are also part of its impressive tech arsenal, making long journeys safer and more relaxed.
Lotus backs the Eletre R with a solid warranty package for European customers. You get a comprehensive vehicle warranty typically covering 5 years or 150,000 kilometres, whichever comes first. Crucially, the high-voltage battery is covered for 8 years or 200,000 kilometres, guaranteeing at least 70% of its original capacity. While extensive complimentary maintenance isn't usually a Lotus staple, service intervals are designed for EV convenience. Reliability should benefit from fewer moving parts compared to ICE counterparts, making ownership a relatively fuss-free experience for such a high-performance machine.
