Lotus Eletre electric lease deals

Leasing a Lotus Eletre Electric in the UK

An all-electric hyper SUV has entered the electric car market with the British automotive company, Lotus Cars, now moving towards zero-emission luxury sports cars and performance 4x4s.

But while the Lotus brand is still headquartered in the UK, this is now a Chinese-owned manufacturer, with their majority owner Geely (who also own Volvo and Polestar) now charged with steering this unique car producer into the future.

Names like the Lotus Elite, Elan and Esprit have tremendous historical, and nostalgic, value to the UK’s automotive industry but the truth is that for many years the brand has been somewhat non-existent. While the group had mentioned electric protypes as far back as 2016, it was only in late 2021 / early 2022 that the “concept” was confirmed as a reality, with their Type 132 – the Eletre – being announced as a saleable product which will be built in Wuhan, China, but delivered globally.

How much does the Eletre cost?

The new electric model will not be a cheap product to lease or buy; this is very much an alternative to the latest Polestar 2, the Mercedes EQE SUV, Model X Plaid and the e-Tron Sportback. You can now configure and order the Lotus via their website at - https://www.lotuscars.com/en-GB/eletre/ - with deliveries set to happen in 2023 for UK personal and business leasing customers. At launch, three key models have been announced which includes:

• Eletre – from £89,500 the entry-model allows you to choose between Kaimu Grey and Stellar Black plus the option of a 20” or 22” alloy configuration. The standard Magnetite interior can be increased to the Jasper configuration, which includes the red seat belts. For £3,600 upgrade to the interior carbon pack or pay £3,100 for the KEF premium audio system (which has 23 speakers!). Other key options include the intelligent glass roof, rear privacy glass and electric tow bar;
• Eletre S – from £104,500 the middle-model offers a wider range of colours – Solar Yellow, Natron Red, Galloway Green, Blossom Grey – plus a wider-range of alloys in 22” and 23” format (the most expensive being a £3,500 multi-spoke gloss back config). The S also allows you to configure the colour of your lightweighted brakes discs with the ability to add the £12,000 carbon ceramic brakes! For the more particular customers, enjoy the exterior extended carbon pack for just under £10,000 which adds door decoration, wheel liners, bumper decoration and rear mirror cases. Unlike the standard model, customers can elect for dark, white or even gold upholstery in the form of the Jasper, Magnetite, Quartz and Gold options. And while the hands free tailgate and rear privacy glass are included, you can upgrade your mirrors to side camera for £2,000 or the £1,450 Lotus Advanced Pilot Pack;
• Eletre R – from £120,000 the “R” is all about performance, with a platform based on speed and driver-experience, as opposed to battery efficiency. Option choices will essentially mirror the “S”, so expect the enthusiastic EV owners to add the £4,000 23” 5-spoke gloss black alloys, carbon ceramic brakes with yellow calipers for £12,000, the £9,000 extended carbon pack, a £4,500 Gold interior upholstery and £3,000 premium audio system. A “fully-spec’d” Eletre R will cost around £150,000 to £160,000. 

And is the Lotus a good electric car

What is the range and charging time on this hyper SUV? Because the Lotus is still so new, there has not yet been a review or test-drive by the leading automotive websites and publications. For a customer looking for an assurance, it’s fair to say that having Geely at the helm, with the Volvo and Polestar experience, does provide comfort that a robust and productive EV will be created for you or the company. Whether the finish, style and design match the hefty price tag, is something yet to be confirmed. In terms of battery options, there will be two key options:

• Eletre and S options – these two models will have a usable 107 kWh lithium-ion battery which will offer 0 – 62 times of 4.5 seconds, 160 mph top speeds and 450 kW (or 603 hp). Expect a combined winter range of 275 miles with warmer weather allowing for 365 miles. On charging, the 22 kW AC max will allow 5 hour and 45 minutes 0 – 100% charging times with the 350 kW DC maximum allowing 20 minute 10 – 80% times. The Lotus SUV is set to be the quickest charging EV in production if these statistics stay in place after type-approval. The 4x4 has a decent cargo volume of 611L and while it will be able to tow, the formal weights are yet to be confirmed but expect this to be above 1000 kg (braked); and
• Eletre R – this model will have a usable 107 kWh lithium-ion battery and this will offer 0 – 62 times of 2.9 seconds, 165 mph top speeds and 675 kW (or 905 hp). Expect a combined winter range of 240 miles with warmer weather allowing for 310 miles. On charging, the 22 kW AC max will allow 5 hour and 45 minutes 0 – 100% charging times with the 350 kW DC maximum allowing 20 minute 10 – 80% times. Capacity, towing and functionality will remain the same as the above.

Ready to order your Eletre SUV EV? 

Head to the Lotus website and pre-order your vehicle from this month (October 2022). When you have confirmation on your build and arrival time, just speak to our electric vehicle experts at e-car lease and let us help you with your personal, business or salary sacrifice arrangement.

For any first-time EV customers on the Lotus, just use our “living with your ...” tools which are available on each model, so that you, or the fleet manager, can be wholly confident that this is the right option. Need more help or advice, don’t forget to call our expert term at e-car lease on 01942 910 001 or email at [email protected].