It will weigh in at 2,000kg, which is heavier than the Elise sports cars, but it will still be light for its class.
Since Lotus’s announcement of plans to launch an SUV, everyone knew it would be heavier than Norfolk’s sports cars. The Geely-owned marque made it clear that the electric-only model would be high-riding. It would be heavier than the Evija Hypercar which, by Lotus standards, weighs in at 3,700lbs (1,680 kg).
Lotus resisted talking about the Eletre’s weight when it was revealed earlier in the week. The black parts of the body are made of carbon fiber, while the rest are made from lightweight aluminum. To cut down on weight, wool-blend fabric is used for seat upholstery. This will reduce 50 percent of the fat than regular leather.
A new report by Piston heads states that Lotus engineers are aiming for a curb weight limit of 4,409 lbs (2,009 kg). Although it might sound a little bit heavy for a Lotus, it would be significantly lighter than its segment counterparts. The Tesla Model X Plaid is a heavy 5,412 lbs (2.455 kg), while the Audi E-TronS weighs in at 5,853 pounds (2.655 kg).
Because of the substantial weight difference, Eletres with 600 hp (or less) can go from 0 to 60 mph (100 km/h), in just three seconds. A separate report by Top Gear suggests a more powerful derivative with up to 900 horsepower. Rumours suggest that the vehicle will be equipped with a third motor, generating 300 horsepower.
It is expected that the range-topping Lotus SUV will complete the sprint in “well under 2.5 seconds,” making the 5.1-second Audi E-Tron S look slow. It would also be a bit quicker than the Tesla Model X plaid (2.6 second). The Eletre, which is expected to include a trio of electric-motors, is due to arrive within the next few years.
The zero-emission Lotus on stilts, which will be built in China, Europe and the UK, will be available to early adopters starting in 2023. It will be constructed in China in a factory built by parent company geelyin Wuhan. We will provide more information about the US availability in the coming weeks.