Lotus is working on a crossover. Yes, the company famous for lightweight sports cars is expanding into vehicles normally found at the grocery store instead of at the track. The move is necessary to boost Lotus' financial health, and the profits generated should lead to new and better sports cars.

The new crossover, code-named the Type 132, is due for a reveal in 2022, and Lotus on Monday provided the first glimpse in a teaser photo and video. All we're shown is what's likely to be intakes in the front fascia. As the video shows, the intakes sport active shutters designed to improve aerodynamics and cooling characteristics.

The Type 132 is one of four new vehicles Lotus has in the works, all of them electric vehicles. Also in the pipeline is a second crossover (Type 134), a four-door coupe (Type 133), and a sports car (Type 135).

The Type 132 (and most likely the Type 134) will be based on a modular EV platform called Evolution. A pair of dual-motor all-wheel-drive powertrains are expected to be on offer, with the more powerful of these expected to deliver as much as 750 hp. And the biggest battery should have more than 100 kilowatt-hours of capacity.

China is expected to be the biggest market for the crossover, and as a result production will be handled there, specifically at a new plant under construction in the city of Wuhan. The plant will also be home to production of the second crossover and four-door coupe. Production of Lotus sports cars will remain at the company's home in Hethel, U.K. Production volumes for the Type 132 (and other models built in Wuhan) will be higher than your typical Lotus, though still limited.

After next year's launch of the Type 132, Lotus will launch the Type 133 four-door coupe in 2023 and the Type 134 crossover in 2025. Lotus will then launch the Type 135 sports car in 2026. As mentioned, all the vehicles will be electric. Lotus has confirmed that the recently launched Emira sports car is its last to be fitted with an internal-combustion engine.

The teasing game for the first-ever production SUV of Lotus continues with another short video. Titled Stretch, the 15-second clip shows a glimpse of the high-riding model’s rear end and its active aerodynamics. The footage creates the overall feeling of a stretching human body, though, obviously, it shows the body of the SUV.

It’s difficult to say what exactly is happening in the video but we believe this is the active rear spoiler of the Type 132. Lotus says the active aero tech in the performance SUV will continue “a long history of Lotus pioneering active and aero technologies, dating back to legendary triumphs in Formula 1 and stretching right up to the present day with the ‘porous’ and aerodynamic design of the Evija hypercar."

Unfortunately, Lotus is providing very little information about the production version of the Type 132 SUV. We don’t know much at the moment, though we know it will be fully electric and will have batteries with sizes between 92 and 120 kilowatt-hours. The EV SUV will be based on one of the company’s new platforms and will feature what it calls “the most advanced 800-volt high-speed EV charging system.” From empty to 80 percent, the battery will recharge in just about 20 minutes.

The first teaser (see the related links above) for the Type 132 SUV showed active aerodynamics will be used at the front as well, probably improving the airflow and cooling of the batteries. With the second teaser, Lotus confirmed the electric vehicle will feature advanced “pioneering intelligent drive technologies,” which will use a state-of-the-art LIDAR system. The Type 132 SUV will be the first of four new electric models planned by Lotus. Following its debut, the British automaker will also release a four-door coupe in 2023 and a larger electric SUV planned for 2024. Then, in 2026, we will see an all-new, all-electric sports car, which will be the final addition to the brand’s EV lineup, at least for now.

We've never associated the words "electric," "SUV," and "China" with Lotus, and yet here we are. Subjected to a painstakingly long teaser campaign, the Type 132 as currently known by its codename will finally break cover on March 29. With good reason, some will argue Colin Chapman would've never liked the prospects of a heavy, high-riding vehicle, but it's 2022 and business is business.

The first-ever Lotus SUV and the company's second EV after the Evija hypercar won't be built at home in Norfolk. Instead, the model will be assembled in China at a newly constructed factory in Wuhan (yes, that Wuhan). It will be followed by a Type 133 four-door coupe and a Type 134 smaller crossover, both of which will be EVs. In fact, the Geely-owned company is done with launching ICE-powered cars as the Emira is the last hurrah for the gasoline engine.

Despite sharing more than a few previews, Lotus hasn't talked too much about its SUV. We do know it rides on a bespoke EV platform able to take battery packs as large as 120 kWh. The sports car on stilts will be roughly the same size as the Porsche Cayenne and will come with all-wheel drive courtesy of dual electric motors.

Other details confirmed about the architecture include a wheelbase measuring anywhere between 2889 to 3100 millimeters (113.7 to 122 inches) along with support for fast charging thanks to the 800V tech. Expect somewhere in the region of 600-700 horsepower for a 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) sprint in as little as three seconds.

The antonym for Chapman's "simplify, then add lightness" motto will be a four-door, five-seat heavy vehicle brimming with tech. From active aero and a LiDAR setup to a tilting infotainment and digital instrument cluster, the Lotus SUV will be a thoroughly modern car.

Designed in the UK, the Lotus Type 132 will likely go on sale by the end of the year or early 2023. We're anxious to find out its real name as some say it will be called "Lambda." That would break with tradition since the sports cars usually began with the letter "E."

This is it, folks. Behold the first SUV from Lotus. After the Evija, it’s also Norfolk's second EV. Patent images submitted by Wuhan Lotus Cars Co., Ltd have been published by IP Australia, so trust us when we say it's the real deal. Roughly the same size as a Porsche Cayenne, the Type 132 reveals an interesting design ahead of its official debut taking place on March 29.

Where should we start? Well, the electric SUV has air ducts in the front hood as part of a comprehensive aero package that also includes active flaps in the lower intake. The roof-mounted LiDAR above the windshield stands out, and we can't help but notice Lotus has ditched conventional side mirrors in favor of cameras. However, these won't be legal in all countries around the world, meaning the EV will also get traditional glass mirrors.

The charging port is mounted on the left-front fender and you've probably noticed by now the high-riding Lotus has electronic pop-out door handles. Some of the design cues have already been revealed in teasers, including the alloy wheels and the headlight shape. In addition, the full-width LED light bar at the back has been previewed, and dare we say it looks rather Audi-esque in these patent images.

Since we're at the back, you've likely spotted the "floating" two-piece roof spoiler flanking what seems to be another LiDAR. An active spoiler on the tailgate has been previewed by Lotus, but it’s not sticking out here. For a vehicle riding on a dedicated EV platform, the rear overhang is massive, perhaps even longer than on some ICE-powered SUVs of the same size.

The made-in-China electric vehicle will sit on a platform developed to accommodate battery packs as large as 120 kWh. The implementation of 800V tech will translate into ultra-fast charging, while the interior will host a tilting touchscreen for the infotainment. One of the patent images shows the vehicle's underside, which is completely closed for better airflow.

Its wheelbase is going to measure anywhere between 2889 to 3100 millimeters (113.7 to 122 inches) and it's safe to assume it will be the heaviest Lotus in history. The Evija electric hypercar already represents a great departure in that regard, tipping the scales at around 3,700 pounds (1,680 kilograms).

It should pack about 600 to 700 horsepower courtesy of dual electric motors granting an all-wheel-drive setup. Even though it will be a porker, the SUV should still hit 62 mph (100 km/h) from a standstill in around three seconds.

We'll know what's what at the end of the month, with sales likely commencing by late 2022 or early next. Production will take place at a new factory in Wuhan. Yes, that Wuhan…

Set your alarms, folks: Lotus has announced that its new all-electric SUV will be called the Eletre, and we’ll see it for the very first time at 7.30pm UK time on Tuesday 29 March.

Lotus properly confirmed that an electric SUV was in the pipeline back in August last year. At that time it was known as the Type 132, but now it has a proper Lotus-ey name beginning with the letter E. Rather gives the game away about the powertrain too, doesn’t it?

We don’t know too much else about the Eletre just yet, although Lotus has said that size-wise it’ll sit in the e-SUV segment (think Range Rover Sport, BMW X5 or Porsche Cayenne) and that it’ll be built in a new factory in Wuhan. Could do with a good news story or two, that place.

Last year Lotus also confirmed that a Type 133, 134 and 135 were in development, with the first being a four-door coupe, the second a smaller SUV and the third a proper all-electric sports car that’ll be built in Hethel.

Before that, the Eletre. Not long to go before we see it...

Lotus has already committed itself to full electrification, the move previewed by the Evija EV hypercar the British sportscar maker put into limited production last year. Now we’re seeing the first electric Lotus aimed at a wider audience, an all-wheel-driven EV crossover that will have more than 600 hp and a sub-3 second 0-60 mph time. Meet the Eletre.

Lotus’s tradition of starting all of its models with the letter ‘e’ inspired the unusual name, which means ‘coming to life’ in Hungarian. But your first thoughts on seeing the official pictures are likely to be more Italian, with the Eletre bearing a strong resemblance from both front and side to the Lamborghini Urus. It is similarly close on dimensions, too—with the Lotus’s 200.9-in (5103 mm) length being just 0.4 in less, its 64.2-in (1630 mm) height 0.3 in shorter, and its 118.9-in (3019 mm) wheelbase 0.6 in longer. While we don’t have finalized US pricing for the Lotus, we can safely predict it will cost considerably less than the $225,000 Lamborghini—so there’s the first win right there.

Closer examination of the Eletre in Lotus’s design studio in England shows it actually possesses a more complex form than the Urus thanks to what its design team refer to as porosity—there are substantial gaps in hood, front fenders, and rear bumper to help sculpt the flow of air over the car. “As Colin Chapman once put it, there’s nothing as light as a hole,” says Peter Horbury, Lotus’s design director. Aerodynamics are further managed by an active rear wing element and a closing shutter in the grille. While all design work has taken place in the UK, the Eletre is set to be produced in a new Lotus factory in Wuhan, China.

Underneath the Eletre sits on an all-new architecture which features both steel and aluminum structure and aluminum and carbon fiber panels. Lotus confirms this isn’t related to the Compact Modular Architecture that sits beneath smaller Volvo models as well as the Polestar 2, despite the fact that all three European brands are part of the Chinese Geely Group. Nor is it the new platform which Lotus is developing for its next generation of EV sports cars.


While Lotus hasn’t released an official weight figure yet, company insiders suggest the production Eletre will be around the 4400-lb mark. That would make it the heaviest road-going Lotus—six times the mass of the original Lotus 7—but would still qualify it as being lightweight by the standards of its hefty segment, more than 880 pounds lighter than Audi e-tron Sportback or Tesla Model X.

The powertrain uses a new 800-Volt architecture, and the Eletre will carry a battery pack that Lotus says will have more than 100 kWh of capacity and support DC fast charging at rates of up to 350 kW, a rate which would allow 250 miles of range to be added in just 20 minutes. Each axle will be powered by a separate motor, with a minimum of 600 hp between the pair, a figure Lotus promises will equate to a 0-60 mph time of under three seconds. Unlike many speed-limited EVs, the Eletre will also be capable of higher velocities, with an official top speed of 161 mph. There are no official range figures yet, but Lotus is targeting a minimum of 373 miles under Europe’s generally flattering WLTP testing protocol. EPA numbers will be lower, but doubtless still impressive.

Only limited details about mechanical specification have been released so far. We know that the Eletre will sit on height adjustable air suspension, this allowing the car to be raised by two inches to improve clearance off-road, and to be dropped by an inch for better stability at speed. Dynamic options will include active rear steering, active sway bars to fight lean and carbon-ceramic brakes, plus the monstrous 23-inch five spoke alloy rims you see in these images. We will have to wait for a detailed breakdown of US spec to see how many of those features will come here.



While the Eletre’s powertrain and exterior design mark new territory for the brand, its cabin is where it feels like the most radical departure. Previous Lotuses have typically possessed functional, frill-free interiors to match their purity of purpose. The Eletre is trimmed and equipped to a much higher level than any of them, even the forthcoming Emira sports car we experienced last month. Space feels impressive for both front and rear seat occupants; the lack of a combustion engine up front has allowed a cab forward design to liberate more room. Both four-seat and five-seat versions will be offered, the latter having a bench at the rear. A full-length panoramic glass roof will be an option.

In addition to a stitched leather and microfiber dashboard the Eletre has seats and door trim made from a high density wool fabric brand—more traditional materials will also be available—with the show car featuring bronze effect metalwork. The center of the dashboard is dominated by a vast 15.1-inch OLED touchscreen interface, with a narrower digital instrument panel ahead of the driver and another relaying information to the front-seat passenger. A head-up display featuring augmented reality, overlaying data onto the real world, will also be offered. Although the show car’s UI system wasn’t functional, Lotus says it is a new system unrelated to the Google-based software used by Volvo and Polestar.




The Eletre is also designed to deliver higher-level autonomy. Although not shown in the official images there are deployable LIDAR sensors that will rise out of the roof, plus another pair above the front wheel arches, to help the car orientate itself. Lotus promises the Eletre will ultimately have “end to end” autonomous capabilities, including the ability to summon the car from where it is parked, although we don’t have any timings on when that is likely to happen yet.

Customer deliveries will begin in Europe and China early next year, with the US following in 2024. There is no official word on pricing yet, but Lotus insiders suggest the range will start somewhere near the Tesla Model X, suggesting a kick-off around the $120,000 mark. Higher powered and possibly also longer ranged versions will follow.

The all-new and all-electric Lotus Eletre is a striking and progressive Hyper-SUV - the first of a new breed of pure electric SUVs. It takes the core principles and Lotus DNA from more than 70 years of sports car design and engineering, evolving them into a desirable all-new lifestyle car for the next generation of Lotus customers.

The company's famed expertise in the fields of ride and handling, steering and optimised aerodynamics have been carefully and respectfully evolved. The Eletre takes the heart and soul of the latest Lotus sports car - the Emira - and the revolutionary aero performance of the all-electric Evija hypercar, and reinterprets them as a Hyper-SUV.

Known until reveal only by its Lotus codename, Type 132, the Eletre is a globally relevant product, a shining halo of sustainable mobility for a worldwide audience. Embodying emotion, intelligence and prestige, it extends the reach of the Lotus name, badge and renowned driver engagement to a new audience.

A bold new dimension to the Lotus performance car portfolio, the Eletre delivers a significant number of firsts for Lotus - the first five-door production car, the first model outside sports car segments, the first lifestyle EV, the most 'connected' Lotus ever. And yet it remains a true Lotus, a beautiful car 'carved by air', packed with pioneering technology, genuine sporting performance and simplicity of purpose, designed and developed by a passionate and global team. The Lotus Eletre is alive with character and personality.

The Lotus Eletre is 4WD, has a battery capacity that's over 100kWh and with power from 600hp. A 350kW charger will deliver a 400km (248 miles) range in just 20 minutes. The car's target maximum WLTP driving range is c.600km (c.373 miles). It also comes with the ability as standard to accept 22kW AC charging which, where available, reduces the time plugged in.

Technology includes the most advanced active aerodynamics package on any production SUV, and intelligent driving technologies such as the world's first deployable Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) system in a production car. Add in a dynamic walk-up sequence that delivers a moment of theatre every time the driver approaches the car, and it's clear the Eletre is making a simple statement - this is Lotus reinvented, the birth of a new icon into the Lotus stable.

Matt Windle, Managing Director, Lotus Cars, commented: "The Eletre is a bold and revolutionary new car, delivering on our commitment to move Lotus into completely new automotive segments as we widen our global appeal and accessibility. This is a momentous point in our history and a clear signal of our ongoing desire to transform our business. It is a true Lotus, and we're confident it will delight performance car customers and offer a distinct alternative to the segment's established players. The Eletre has the soul of a Lotus and the usability of an SUV. Alongside the Emira sports car, this is the perfect two-car garage from Lotus."

Qingfeng Feng, CEO, Group Lotus, added: "The Eletre, our Hyper-SUV, is a new performance car from an iconic performance car brand and it will appeal to independent-minded and adventurous driving enthusiasts - those who love the thrill of driving. It is a unique combination of beautiful design, exceptional dynamic performance and everyday usability, for those who dare to look beyond the conventional, and marks a turning point for our business and brand."

He added: "While the worldwide critical acclaim for the Emira has reaffirmed Lotus' position as a respected sports car marque, the Eletre will make Lotus accessible to a whole new audience. It is a compelling alternative for those who desire a true driver's car but whose lifestyle demands something more practical than a traditional sports car. And it is only the start for Lotus - there is much more to come."

The Lotus Eletre is the first in a new range of premium lifestyle performance electric vehicles to be built at an all-new state-of-the-art production facility in Wuhan, China. The car has been 'Born British, Raised Globally', with design led by the UK, supported by collaborative work with teams in China, Sweden and Germany. The overall exterior and interior design has been led by an international team based at the Lotus Tech Creative Centre (LTCC) in Warwickshire, UK.

Peter Horbury, Senior Vice President, Executive Advisor, Design, Lotus, commented: "The Eletre is a rare creative opportunity in performance car design - the chance to start with a blank sheet of paper and develop an all-new vehicle that takes a brand in a completely fresh direction. There has been a close working relationship and much collaboration between the Lotus design studios in Warwickshire and Hethel. The result is a 'Hyper-SUV' that is genuinely different to what's on the market; the electric powertrain has inspired a 'cab-forward' design that echoes the iconic mid-engined layout of Lotus sports cars, creating a unique look and position in the SUV segment. The arrival of the Eletre signals the start of a new era of pure electric SUVs."

The Eletre is built on Lotus' all-new and highly versatile Electric Premium Architecture (EPA). The low-to-the-ground design means outstanding handling, and the EPA can easily adapt to accommodate C+ to E+ vehicle class battery sizes, motors, component layouts and intelligent driving technologies.

The platform will be the basis for an all-new range of premium lifestyle performance electric vehicles from Lotus. Led by the Eletre, these cars will catapult Lotus into a new era of higher retail volumes and significant revenues.

The Lotus Eletre is on sale across global markets, with first customer deliveries in 2023 starting in China, the UK and Europe.

The Lotus Eletre in detail

The Eletre is a new icon from Lotus. It is the latest in a long line of Lotus road cars whose name begins with the letter E, and means 'Coming to Life' in some Eastern European languages. It's an appropriate link as the Eletre marks the start of a new chapter in the history of Lotus - the first accessible EV and the first SUV.

The immersive experience with the Lotus Eletre begins before the driver has reached the car. Pressing the button on the key or smartphone app activates a moment of theatre that's unique in the automotive world. The car's exterior lights run through a short sequence, the active front grille 'breathes' and the illuminated flush door handles deploy. The experience is repeated inside the car as the door closes behind the occupant.

Ben Payne, Head of Studio at LTCC, said: "This walk-up sequence is a 'peacock moment' - a little 'showing-off' that highlights the Eletre's engaging personality. It's a visual expression of a car coming to life, and a metaphor for the reinvention of the Lotus business and brand which begins with the Eletre."

From the very earliest discussions about the car and its position at the heart of the Vision80-led transformation of Lotus, the Eletre was to be a showcase for how a Lotus can deliver performance-oriented driving thrills and refinement outside of the traditional sports car segments.

It is 'Born British Raised Globally' and that is more than a slogan. It has defined a rewarding collaborative process which has set the standard for the development and quality of the next generation of Lotus performance cars.

The fundamentals of what makes the Eletre a Lotus were established in Hethel, UK - the iconic home of Lotus since 1966. The global Lotus team worked together to deliver the strategic direction for the forthcoming range of Lotus lifestyle vehicles, plus the dynamic development, systems integration, aerodynamic optimisation and overall driver satisfaction of the Eletre.

A new Lotus research and development facility, established in China in 2020, utilises the market's leading intelligent technologies and digital competencies to build the Eletre - and a new generation of electric high performance vehicles - at an all-new state-of-the-art manufacturing centre. Teams at Lotus Tech Innovation Centre (LTIC) in Raunheim, Germany, have assisted with component integration, durability testing, certification and homologation, with experts from the engineering team in Gothenburg, Sweden, working on the car's EV management systems.
...Prices and specs

In the UK the Eletre is priced from £89,500 (from €95,990 in Europe). The standard spec includes five drive modes, active air suspension, torque vectoring, matrix LED headlights, active front grille and 22-inch 10-spoke forged wheels.

The premium cabin takes Lotus interiors to an all-new level of desirability. As standard the Eletre comes with wireless smartphone charging, 12-way electrically adjustable front seats, four-zone automatic climate control and many other features. The 'intelligent cockpit' infotainment system, which includes Apple CarPlay / Android Auto and a 1,380-watt, 15-speaker KEF Premium Audio, is operated via a centrally mounted 15.1-inch full High-Definition OLED centre screen. All versions of the Eletre feature five seats as standard, with a four-seat version available as part of the Executive Seat Pack.

Also standard is the deployable LIDAR technology, a world-first in a production car which supports end-to-end autonomous driving (AD) technology. Integrated OTA software update capability ensures the system will be fully ready when individual market regulations allow for the more advanced levels of AD.

In the UK the Eletre rides on 22-inch wheels as standard, though 20-inch and 23-inch are available. There are five different wheel designs and six colours of brake caliper. At launch there are six exterior colours to choose from - Natron Red, Galloway Green, Stellar Black, Kaimu Grey, Blossom Grey and Solar Yellow. More will follow later.

Six unique interiors are available, all offering premium high-grade materials and detail choices. Sustainability has been at the heart of the development. For example, the Eletre is available with a state-of-the-art alternative to leather that is environmentally friendly, odour-free, and lasts longer than genuine leather. In addition, a new man-made fibre has been used in the carpets and boot liner. It is 100% recycled and 100% recyclable, and there is no waste in the production process.

The Eletre S costs £104,500 (from €120,990 in Europe). The enhanced specification includes numerous additional features such as privacy glass, active rear spoiler, configurable ambient lighting, illuminated side sills, soft door close, auto-dimming side mirrors and an air quality system. It also includes a 2,160-watt, 23-speaker KEF Reference Audio.

The flagship version is the Eletre R and is the world's fastest dual-motor pure electric SUV. It has a top speed of 165 mph (265 km/h) and can accelerate from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in just 2.95 seconds. The Eletre R is priced £120,000 (from €150,990 in Europe).