FIRST DRIVE Lotus Eletre | No-nonsense review of new electric Lotus | Autocar

Uploaded 2 years ago by Autocar

Video Summary

Here is a summary of the key points in the video:
- The Lotus Eletra is a large, electric hyper-SUV.
- Two more EVs will follow: a four-door saloon and a smaller SUV, before a smaller two-seat sports car.
- The sports car will be built in Hethel; the others in China.
- There is little commonality between its platform and other large Volvo models.
- Aluminum makes up much of the platform.
- There's a 112 kWh battery, with 109 kWh useable.
- The WLTP range is about 370 miles.
- There are three versions: a base model, the S, and the R.
- The base and S models have two identical motors with 304 hp each, for a system total of 603 hp.
- The R model has a stronger rear motor, for 900 hp.
- There is multi-link suspension at both the front and rear.
- Air springs are all-round on all models.
- Base model has conventional anti-roll bars.
- The tested S model has optional 48-volt active anti-roll bars, and active rear steer.
- The interior is astonishing and not like previous Lotus models.
- Quality of materials is really high.
- Fit and finish is good.
- A big touchscreen has too much migrated onto it.
- It has optional cameras for side mirrors which are poor.
- It has Lidar and much onboard tech.
- The regen has four settings, but the maximum does not enable one-pedal driving.
- Rear seats are huge.
- Its weight is about 2 1/2 tons.
- 0 to 60 mph takes about 4.5 seconds.
- Handling is a bit “German.”
- It is primarily developed in Germany.
- It has 315-section tires at the back and 275s on the front.
- Touring mode is a chill, relaxed everyday setting.
- It is stable, but not blindingly fast in a straight line.
- The conclusion is that it is a capable, refined, flat-cornering, really good EV, doing what an EV is supposed to do well.
- However, it does not feel Lotus-y, but maybe that doesn't matter.
- It is a very good car of a new EV generation.

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