Just as Daniel Lee transformed Bottega Veneta from a niche Italian fashion label into a highly commercialised luxury brand, Lotus Cars is no longer just in the business of low-volume, lightweight sports cars. There’s been a sea-change in its product line-up, and the future now looks all-electric and luxurious with the stunning Emeya hyper-GT and Eletre hyper-SUV.
Those who seek the quintessential lightweight Lotus sports car experience can still buy the final petrol-powered Lotus, the Emira. However, it’s the all-electric vehicles that are here to shake things up with a previously unseen luxury appeal.
These highly specified cars have made substantial technological, performance, and design leaps forward. However, we wanted to see things for ourselves, so we attended the Australian launch of the new vehicle line-up to put these cars through their paces. We don’t want to give anything away too early, but let’s just say we walked away impressed by the style and performance of the Emeya hyper-GT and the practicality and technology inside the Eletre hyper-SUV. Now, let’s take a closer look at the future of Lotus Cars.
Lotus All-Electric Vehicle Line-Up at a Glance
One of the most exciting things for buyers is that the Lotus all-electric vehicle line-up gives you the choice between a Hyper-GT and Hyper-SUV without sacrificing anything on either side of the equation. Both cars share the same fundamental underpinnings and are priced from AUD$189,990 plus on-road costs.
Of course, there are subtle changes, and the Emeya focuses a little more on performance, while the Eletre is more practical, with a larger cabin for kids and luggage. Still, both cars are very capable of any task you throw their way.
Here’s a quick list of key technical specifications for the Eletre and Emeya to get you started:
- Price: from AUD$189,990 plus on-road costs.
- Power: up to 675 kW (905 hp)
- Torque: up to 985 Nm
- Acceleration (0-100km/h): as low as 2.78 seconds
- Range (WLTP): up to 600 km
- Charging time: 10-80 per cent in 20 minutes with 350kW DC rapid charger
Now, let’s check out these luxury lifestyle vehicles in detail.
Trailblazing Design Language Throughout
Both cars are good-looking in their own right, but we want to spend a little extra time talking about the design of the Emeya because just look at that car! This is the brand’s first four-door hyper-GT, presented here in Fireglow Orange, which is nothing less than show-stopping in person.
The design of the Emeya is futuristic and sci-fi, and we find subtle nods to larger Lotus cars of the past, such as the Lotus Elite, which employed dramatic proportions at a time when Lotus founder Colin Chapman wanted a more substantial Gran Turismo vehicle to move the company upmarket. Funnily enough, the same could be said for the new Lotus electric vehicle line-up.
The materials inside the cabins of both cars are soft to the touch yet durable enough for daily use. You’ll notice plenty of carbon fibre, ultra fabrics that create a sporty feel in key areas, and Nappa leather for seat upholstery. Both cars feel exceptionally well put together, and visually, we find the cabin more appealing than some European brands.
Elements of sustainability have also been incorporated, most notably the new luxury thread, seen here for the first time globally, that repurposes cotton scraps from the fashion and garment industries.
Technology That Will Calm You in Silence
Beyond the look and feel inside the cabin, the silence impressed us the most during our drive. Both vehicles use an integrated road noise cancellation (RNC) feature, which uses vibration sensors on the vehicle body to detect motion in the tyres and suspension. It then uses software algorithms to generate anti-phase acoustic signals through the speakers to counteract interference.
This is important because it allows you to maximise the impact of the KEF-branded, award-winning sound system and speakers.
This next-level sound system comes with Dolby Atmos-enabled 3D surround sound, first seen in a Lotus on the Eletre Hyper-SUV. It’s designed to simulate a concert-like atmosphere, and it’s seriously impressive.
You control most of the vehicle’s functions through a central 15.1-inch touchscreen display that uses Unreal Engine for the graphics and comes with features such as DAB+ digital radio, Bluetooth phone connectivity, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and over-the-air software updates. Look in front of the driver, and you’ll find a cockpit-like 12.6-inch display alongside an industry-leading 55-inch projected head-up display (HUD). Meanwhile, the passenger can control music and other functions with a separate, thin 12.6-inch display that mirrors the driver’s.
It’s a tech-heavy cabin, but the layout is thoughtful, with a common-sense approach to buttons, both physical and through the touchscreen. Most importantly, it leaves a lasting impact and is a luxurious space you’d want to sit in every day.
Capsule-Like Driving Experience, Still ‘For the Drive’
To describe the driving experience of both cars in one sentence, they’re sharp like a Lotus should be, but also compliant, comfortable, and capsule-like. You’d more than happily drive either car every day, but it’s clear where Lotus has made noticeable changes to the direction of both vehicles. The brand has focused the Hyper-SUV Eletre on the school drop-off and the Hyper-GT Emeya on the commute to work.
Both vehicles provide instant power from dual electric motors at the front and rear axle with up to 675 kW (905 hp) and 985 Nm of torque in the top-of-the-range R models. However, even at the entry point to the range, the acceleration times are blisteringly fast, with a 0-100km/h time of around 4.0 seconds achieved for every model in the line-up. If you enjoy sporty driving and want the ultimate in performance, the Emeya R completes the 0-100 km/h sprint in 2.78 seconds.
Being a luxury lifestyle vehicle, the driving range is paramount for long-distance travel, and the lineup offers up to 600km of range at a single charge. When it comes time to charge, these are some of the quickest available in Australia, with a 10-80 per cent charge taking just 20 minutes from a 350kW DC rapid charger.
No luxury vehicle is complete without a comfortable ride, and every Australian-delivered Lotus Emeya and Eletre has an electronically controlled air suspension system. This standout feature uses onboard sensors to “feel the road” up to 1,000 times a second, resulting in utmost ride comfort around town and sharpness when you want to drive a little quicker.
Choose Your Luxury EV: Hyper-GT or Hyper-SUV
We spent plenty of time behind the wheel of the Eletre and Emeya at the Australian launch event, and we’ll be the first to say that these vehicles impress. The design draws you in, and once you’re inside, the cabin appointments, technology, and capsule-like driving experience keep you coming back. Of course, you also have the sharpness of handling and performance that you expect from a Lotus, which is merely the finishing touch on these tremendous electric vehicles.
You’ll want to experience this new level of luxury from the brand for yourself, and you can book a test drive of the Lotus Eletre and Emeya models now at the links below.
