Lotus Eletre Packs 939 HP

While the new plug-in hybrid model grabs headlines, the all-electric Eletre R already produces 905 horsepower and can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in under three seconds. The standard all-electric models, the Eletre and Eletre S, deliver 603 horsepower. The Eletre is a significant departure from founder Colin Chapman's philosophy of "simplify, then add lightness," which defined classics like the Elise and Esprit. The new SUV weighs around 5,800 pounds, a stark contrast to the brand's history of lightweight, agile sports cars. Designed in England under Ben Payne, the Eletre is the first Lotus to be manufactured in China. It's built in a new $1.2 billion factory in Wuhan, a strategic move by parent company Geely, which also owns Volvo and Polestar. The all-electric versions feature a 112 kWh battery with an 800-volt architecture, allowing the battery to charge from 10% to 80% in just 20 minutes on a 350kW DC fast charger. The maximum driving range is an estimated 373 miles on the European WLTP cycle. The SUV's design heavily emphasizes aerodynamics, borrowing the principle of "porosity" from the all-electric Lotus Evija hypercar, which involves channeling air through the body of the car itself. Inside, the cabin features sustainable materials and is centered around a 15.1-inch touchscreen. This model is the first of a new wave of electric vehicles for the brand. Lotus plans to follow the Eletre with an electric four-door coupe in 2023, another SUV in 2025, and a new electric sports car by 2026.