Lotus dives headfirst into the electric SUV game with the Eletre S, a "hyper-SUV" that’s all about blending traditional Lotus agility with zero-emission punch. The S trim, sitting pretty in the range, offers a compelling mix of stonking performance and luxury. It's a bold statement for families wanting thrills without the spills at the pump. New, you're looking at around €124,090 in Europe, with nearly-new examples hovering near €112,900. It’s a serious contender aiming to give established electric posh-roaders a proper run for their money!
For 2025, the Lotus Eletre S largely continues its impressive debut, already packed with cutting-edge tech. Expect ongoing over-the-air software updates enhancing the slick infotainment system, refining driver assistance features, and potentially optimising performance and charging. Lotus is committed to keeping the Eletre S at the forefront with these continuous improvements, ensuring your 'hyper-SUV' experience just keeps getting better. No major hardware shake-ups, just smart, iterative enhancements to an already brilliant package for the new model year.
The Eletre S isn't shy; it’s a proper head-turner with aggressive 'porous' design and active aerodynamics that scream performance. Measuring 5103mm long, 2019mm wide (excluding mirrors), and 1630mm tall, it has serious road presence. Slim matrix LED headlights and a full-width rear light bar give it a futuristic vibe, day or night. The S trim often features distinct alloy wheel designs and subtle styling cues that mark it out. It’s less a car, more a land-based spacecraft, sculpted by the wind and ready to pounce.
Step inside the Eletre S and you're greeted by a cabin that’s both luxurious and tech-laden, seating five comfortably. Sustainable materials meet high-quality finishes, creating a properly premium atmosphere. A massive central touchscreen and a slim digital driver’s display handle infotainment, which includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. For your kit, there's a generous 611-litre boot, expanding to a whopping 1532 litres with seats down, plus a handy 46-litre frunk for charging cables or a small bag. It’s surprisingly practical for such a sporty beast!
Hold on tight! The Eletre S rockets from 0-100 km/h in a blistering 4.5 seconds, thanks to its dual Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors (one front, one rear) pumping out a combined 450 kW and a hefty 710 Nm of torque to all four wheels. Despite its size, Lotus DNA shines through with surprisingly agile handling, aided by standard air suspension. It’s not just quick in a straight line; it’s engineered to carve corners. Powerful brakes with adjustable regeneration ensure you can shed speed as impressively as you gain it.
The Eletre S packs a substantial 109 kWh (usable) battery, delivering Green Cars Compare's calculated 'real-world' range estimate of around 446 km, achieving an efficiency of 4.09 km/kWh. Its 800V architecture is key, allowing for mega-fast DC charging up to 367 kW via the CCS Type 2 port – think 10-80% in about 20 minutes! At home or the office, the standard 22 kW AC on-board charger tops it up conveniently overnight. Plus, handy Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capability means you can power external devices.
While an official Euro NCAP rating for the Eletre S is yet to be published, Lotus equips it with a comprehensive suite of safety tech. Expect advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) like adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and a 360-degree camera system to be standard on the S trim. More sophisticated features, potentially including hands-free highway driving assist, might be part of optional packs, ensuring you’re cocooned in the latest safety wizardry. It's designed to protect as well as it performs.
Peace of mind comes as standard with the Eletre S. In Europe, you'll typically get a comprehensive vehicle warranty, often around 5 years or 150,000 km, whichever comes first. The crucial battery pack is covered for a solid 8 years or 160,000 km, guaranteeing at least 70% of its original capacity. Being electric, routine maintenance is simpler and less frequent than petrol power. While long-term reliability is still being established for this new model, Lotus's engineering focus and Geely's backing aim for a robust ownership experience.
