[Taboleo] The Hefty Build with Lotus's Lightness

Lotus's First Electric SUV Eletre R
Powerful Performance and Luxurious Interior

Lotus, which pursued extreme racing performance, has entered the everyday realm. The brand's first pure electric sports utility vehicle (SUV), the 'Eletre,' takes center stage. It targets the domestic market with not only driving performance but also advanced technology, spaciousness, and a luxurious interior.

The interior is all about luxury. Premium leather with a soft touch covers all the seats. Delicately crafted metal decorations are placed throughout. The test vehicle is a 4-seater model with a central console installed in the second row seats as well. Through this, various climate control devices and massage functions can be operated. There is ample space even for adult men around 180 cm tall.

There are also parts where the philosophy of boldly omitting unnecessary elements to pursue lightweight design remains. One such part is the instrument panel in front of the driver's seat. The somewhat narrow single-line display simply shows only the essential core information such as speed in numbers and letters. Driving information can be easily understood through the head-up display. Instead, a large 15.1-inch HD OLED display is prominently positioned in the center. This is arranged to allow easy operation of various functions. However, since it lacks a built-in navigation system, users must connect Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. Occasionally, Android Auto failed to receive GPS signals, making it impossible to determine the current location. This is a disappointing aspect for a luxury car priced over 200 million KRW.

Lotus Eletre Interior. Courtesy of Lotus Korea

The driving performance was powerful, combining the capabilities of an electric vehicle and Lotus. The test vehicle was the high-performance Eletre R model, which accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in just 2.9 seconds. With a maximum output of 918 horsepower and a maximum torque of 100.4 kgf·m, it moves the 2.5-ton bulky body nimbly. Although it is an SUV, its aerodynamic exterior design achieves a drag coefficient of 0.26 Cd, comparable to supercars. Acceleration and cornering were possible without instability even at high speeds. The air suspension, which adjusts the vehicle height, also ensures ride comfort.

Lotus's first-ever active rear steering system recreated the brand's past agility. At low speeds, the rear wheels turn in the opposite direction to the front wheels, reducing the turning radius by up to 0.8 meters. At high speeds, the rear wheels turn in the same direction as the front wheels to enhance driving stability.

The Eletre was launched in base, S, and high-performance R models. Prices start at 149 million KRW, with the 'R' model starting from 209 million KRW. This is the same price as in the UK and the lowest level among the Asia-Pacific region.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.