NZ might be among first right-hand-drive markets for a car that takes Lotus into a new sector – and era.

THE electric Lotus sports utility vehicle whose name means ‘coming to life’ is expected to come to New Zealand in the third quarter of 2023.

This timeframe has been shared by Lotus Auckland, representing the distribution agreement the brand has with Giltrap Group, in the wake of Lotus having unveiled the Eletre.

Cited as the world’s first electric ‘hyper-SUV’, the model is expected to allow a significant broadening of the marque’s customer base as it moves to full electrification.

The timeframe for New Zealand availability, if met, appears to mean this country will be among the first export markets for right hand drive examples. It will conceivably likely come direct from the manufacturing plant, in China.

As well as being the first SUV Lotus has delivered, it’s also the make’s first car with more than two doors – excluding the Opel and Vauxhall-derived Carlton sedan of the 1990s – and its first electric vehicle outside of the Evija hypercar.

It is also the first of four new EVs coming by 2026. After Eletre will come a sleek sedan, starting build next year, a mid-size SUV, due in 2024 and a new sports car co-developed with France's Alpine, cited for 2026.

Lotus says the dramatically-styled model will have more advanced active aerodynamics than any other SUV in the world. Advanced technology also comes into play.

Eletre has a deployable Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) system, a world-first according to Lotus, allowing the various driver assistance systems function and future-proofing the car for the addition of more functionality (using over-the-air updates) in time.

Although the taut lines, muscular haunches and short overhangs conspire with launch car’s 23-inch alloy wheels – an optional choice - to disguise the size, it is a substantial machine.

At 5.1 metres in length it occupies more of a parking bay than a Porsche Cayenne, for instance. It has a longer wheelbase than the German model that kicked off the whole high-performance SUV genre, though a lower roofline. The dimensions are close to those of the Lamborghini Urus, a car Lotus says it aims to beat.

Configuring in four or five seat form, depending on consumer choice, the car sits atop a new Electric Premium Architecture, which incorporates a low-mounted battery pack, and uses aluminium and high-tensile steel.

Lotus promises “outstanding handling” and “exceptional dynamics” but being electric of course comprises founder Colin Chapman’s famous “simplify add lightness” approach. The 100kWh battery pack will unavoidably be a hefty item.

However, going so big on the battery size will also give Eletre good range – Lotus cites 600km of targeted WLTP range – and it’ll also feed a lot of wallop into the dual motors. In-depth performance data has yet to be shared but Lotus cites power output starting at 447kW.

It is targeting a 0-100kmh time of less than three seconds – making the Eletre one of the quickest-accelerating Lotus models in history – towards an also-targeted top speed of 260kmh.

The electric set-up incorporates an 800-volt electrical system, which will allow a 20-minute stint on a 350kW DC fast charger to add up to 400km of range. 22kW AC home charging is also standard.

More information is relayed in the attached video, a highlights package of the launch event in London.