The Lotus Eletre is a radical departure for the storied British marque, launching headfirst into the electric age with a hyper-SUV that blends explosive performance, futuristic technology, and lasting brand heritage. Designed and developed by Lotus for a global audience, but particularly suited to the UAE’s appetite for premium, high-performance SUVs, the 2025 Eletre is an EV statement piece, both on the boulevard and the open road.
Overview
The Eletre is Lotus’s first-ever SUV and its first production EV, leveraging lessons from decades of motorsport and engineering purity. As a “Hyper SUV,” it’s aimed squarely at the high-luxury, high-output electric arena, competing with rivals like the Lamborghini Urus (now hybridised), Porsche Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid, and Tesla Model X Plaid.
Exterior Design
Visually, the Eletre stands apart with a low, wide, and athletic stance, measuring over 5.1 meters long and 2.2 meters wide. Distinctive LED lighting signatures, deep aero vents, an active rear wing, and flush, retractable door handles all create an impression of purpose and high-tech sophistication. Lotus offers a broad palette of bold metallic and matte finishes, carbon fibre accents, and wheels up to 23 inches with performance tires, ensuring this isn’t just another soft-roader.
Interior & Cabin Experience
Inside, the Eletre delivers a mix of minimalism and advanced tech. Expect a futuristic floating dashboard with a panoramic OLED display stretching wide across the cockpit, an augmented reality head-up display, haptic performance controls, and exceptional build quality. Premium trims envelop passengers in nappa leather, Alcantara, carbon, or sustainably sourced materials, all arranged around a five-seat layout with generous space for all occupants.
Ambient lighting, four-zone climate, a KEF Reference 23-speaker 3D surround sound system, adaptive seats with heating/cooling/massage, and a panoramic glass roof fill out the luxury experience. Cargo space is competitive, with a rear boot suited for weekend getaways and a front trunk for extra versatility.
Powertrain & Performance
Three main variants define the Eletre lineup for 2025:
- Eletre (base and S): Both use a dual-motor all-wheel-drive setup. Total output stands at 603 HORSEPOWER and a massive 710 NM of torque, allowing the Eletre to sprint from 0 to 100 KM/H in just 4.5 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 258 KM/H. The performance is seamless and instant, as expected of an advanced EV platform.
- Eletre R: The range-topping flagship, the R, ups the ante dramatically with 905 HORSEPOWER and 985 NM. Thanks to a more powerful rear motor and performance electronics, it rockets from 0 to 100 KM/H in 2.95 seconds, on par with many supercars. The top speed for the R is 265 KM/H.
All Eletre models house a 112 kWh battery, with an estimated range of 490–600 KM (WLTP), depending on the version and driving conditions. Ultra-rapid 800V charging architecture means 350 kW charging is possible: a 10% to 80% top-up can take as little as 18 minutes at suitable DC fast chargers. Standard air suspension, adaptive dampers, rear-axle steering, active anti-roll, and massive high-performance brakes deliver cornering poise and comfort, making the Eletre nimble despite its size.
Technology & Features
The Eletre is awash with the latest convenience and safety technology:
- Panoramic OLED instrument cluster and infotainment with split-screen functionality.
- Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, advanced navigation with real-time updates, and over-the-air software upgrades.
- Full suite of active safety, including semi-autonomous driving with highway pilot, 360-degree cameras, adaptive cruise, lane keeping, blind spot and collision avoidance systems.
- Matrix LED headlights, remote parking assist, soft-close doors, and facial-recognition keyless entry.
- Performance drive modes, configurable regenerative braking, and Lotus Dynamic Handling Control for personalised ride and handling preferences.
Practicality & Everyday Use
While built for pulse-raising speed, the Eletre remains a usable family SUV. Rear passengers enjoy expansive legroom, USB-C power in every row, ventilated seats, entertainment displays, and sunshades, all adding up to a luxury flagship with real-world flexibility. The rear boot provides ample luggage space (around 688 litres with seats up), supplemented by a small but handy front trunk.
UAE Pricing & Ownership
For 2025, Lotus Eletre pricing in the UAE is set as follows (approximate, including VAT):
- Eletre (base): AED 520,000
- Eletre S: AED 590,000
- Eletre R: AED 720,000
The price includes a comprehensive 5-year warranty and an 8-year/160,000 KM battery guarantee. Lotus owners also benefit from VIP concierge servicing and roadside assistance.
Rivals & Legacy
With the Eletre, Lotus directly enters the rarefied air of performance electric SUVs, rivalling the Lamborghini Urus SE (hybrid), Porsche Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid, Tesla Model X Plaid, and the Aston Martin DBX707 (ICE). Yet, the Eletre claims its own identity, being lighter, sharper, and more dynamically focused than most electric SUVs, thanks in no small part to Lotus’s sports car DNA.
Final Word
The 2025 Lotus Eletre isn’t just a new product; it’s a new philosophy for Lotus, combining explosive electric performance with hypercar looks, luxury appointments, and genuine practicality. For UAE customers seeking a blend of tech, speed, and upmarket distinction, the Eletre presents an electrifying option that makes no compromises on thrill or daily comfort. It’s a bold, sharp-edged machine that portends a bright, dynamic future for the Lotus brand in the electric age.
Key rivals: Lamborghini Urus SE, Porsche Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid, Tesla Model X Plaid, Aston Martin DBX707
