Lotus is a name that resonates strongly with motorsport enthusiasts as well as drivers who appreciate nimble sports cars with a focus on light weight over raw power.
With the Evora and the Emira that came to replace it, Lotus targets a very tiny number of customers. By adding the all-new, fully electric Eletre crossover, the small British company intends to broaden its appeal. This high-price model clearly belongs to the premium segment, but getting Canadians to pay attention will be a hard task given the brand’s lack of notoriety in the country. The plan is to emphasize excellent customer service before, during and after the purchase instead of aiming for high volumes. That sounds like a smart way to increase Lotus’ market share in the coming years.
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Photo: Julien Amado
As part of Geely’s portfolio, the brand benefits from technologies developed by the large Chinese automaker. The Eletre also happens to be manufactured in China, which proved to be the number one problem until recently. Despite being designed for North America and meeting all Transport Canada certification standards, it has remained absent due to the introduction of 100% tariffs on Chinese EVs in late 2024.
But thanks to Ottawa’s decision to allow 49,000 units annually at a preferred tariff of 6.4%, the Eletre is now clear for import and should arrive at Lotus dealerships this September. Ordering is open, and allocations will be based on a “first come, first served” basis. The Eletre will thus become the first Chinese-built EV to benefit from the new tariff break in Canada.
Photo: Julien Amado
Three Models and a Limited Edition
Three different models are available including the entry-level Eletre, the mid-level Touring and the top-of-the-line Sport. The MSRPs are $119,900, $129,900 and $139,900, respectively. A limited-edition Eletre Carbon (24 units), featuring a panoramic roof, carbon fiber trim and a more luxurious interior, can also be yours for as much as $179,000. That’s the one we had the opportunity to drive.
It all took place in the streets of downtown Toronto, and as you can imagine, the boldly styled Eletre turned plenty of heads. We also got a few thumbs-ups from onlookers seemingly in awe of Lotus’ newest fighter. By the way, colour selection includes yellow, black, grey and silver, but our tester was finished in Galloway Green.
Photo: Julien Amado
Upon entering the vehicle, we found the interior very well designed. The symmetrical dashboard, with two slim yet easy-to-read displays facing the driver and passenger, is unlike anything currently available. In between is a large touchscreen where all of the vehicle’s functions and settings can be accessed.
The whole interface takes some getting used to, and the absence of physical buttons forces you to take your eyes off the road. Fortunately, Lotus has added a few controls on the centre console for temperature and defrosting. Everything else goes through the main screen.
Photo: Julien Amado
The steering wheel is pleasant to the touch and offers a nice grip. The left paddle is used to adjust regenerative braking, while the right one allows you to switch between the various drive modes.
The premium materials featured in the Eletre Carbon make for a handsomely executed, opulent-feeling cabin. There’s adequate space both in the front and rear, and we also appreciated the comfortable seats. The trunk can fit up to 655 litres of cargo, which isn’t particularly spacious considering the vehicle’s size. However, a small 46-litre storage compartment in the front allows you to carry a few extra items.
Photo: Julien Amado
A Powerful Heavyweight
Unlike traditional Lotus vehicles, the Eletre is heavy. With a 112kWh battery (109 kWh usable capacity) weighing 655 kg on its own, don’t expect any miracles when it comes to handling. At a hefty 2,565 kg, this electric SUV probably has company founder Colin Chapman rolling over in his grave. Remember, he’s the man who coined the phrase “light is right.”
In order to deliver satisfying performance, Lotus has done what pretty much everyone else in the industry is doing—add more horsepower. The Canadian-spec Eletre boasts dual motors that combine for 603 horsepower and 524 lb-ft of torque. In other markets, a 905-horsepower configuration is also available. Sadly, North America will not see it.
Chinese automakers have a reputation for being at the forefront of EV battery technology. With an 800V architecture and a maximum DC fast charging capacity of 355 kW, the Eletre is definitely among the best in that department.
Photo: Julien Amado
As we mentioned earlier, the test drive took place in Toronto, where Lotus introduced the vehicle to dealers and the media. The problem is, the Queen City isn’t exactly the ideal place to judge a vehicle’s handling, especially starting from downtown. We did manage to find a few winding roads here and there, but we’ll need to spend more time behind the wheel of the Eletre to give you a more complete picture.
In heavy congestion, the vehicle felt quiet and rather comfortable, keeping a very low profile when selecting the more gentle drive modes and easily merging into traffic. Sport mode increases lateral support from the seats, effectively cradling your upper body. The suspension and steering also firm up, improving handling. Through the few twists and turns along the route, the Eletre proved surprisingly sharp and precise considering its substantial weight.
Photo: Julien Amado
Acceleration is nothing short of breathtaking. Lotus claims a 0-100 km/h time of 4.5 seconds. We chose to err on the side of caution as the busy roads we drove on were no place to drive fast. Braking performance was good, although we found energy recuperation to be fairly modest even in the most aggressive setting.
Speaking of energy, we’ll wrap this story with a word on the Eletre’s efficiency. Lotus announces a combined rating of 27.4 kWh/100 km, which isn’t particularly competitive. On our watch, it got as low as 24.6 kWh/100 km in the best conditions and as high as 32.6 kWh/100 km in the worst conditions, making the company’s estimate realistic. Look for a range of approximately 400 km in ideal weather. Again, a more extensive test drive would be necessary to validate these numbers.
