Video: Lotus Eletre R debuts at 2023 Festival of Speed

The 2,520kg electric SUV is, admittedly, quite unlike any Lotus we’ve yet seen, but it promises to bankroll a host of exciting models more in keeping with the firm's ‘simplify, then add lightness’ ethos.

Lotus offers two powertrains, the first a 611PS (450kW) all-wheel-drive set-up (fitted to the Eletre and the Eletre S) that's good for 0-62mph in 4.5 seconds and a top speed of 160mph, or an AWD R version with a stonking 918PS (675kW). It fires the big SUV from 0-62mph in just 2.9 seconds and has a dual-speed gearbox for faster acceleration at high speeds. All models have drive modes, including Range, Tour, Sport and Individual.

The Lotus's apparent nimbleness up the hill should come as no surprise. R models sport active anti-roll bars and rear-wheel steer. Even basic cars have air suspension with adaptive damping and sharp steering worthy of the Lotus brand. All Eletres have a huge 112kWh battery and an 800V charging system, so recharging the battery from 10 to 80 per cent takes around 20 minutes. Range varies from 373 miles for rear-wheel-drive models to 304 miles for the R. 

The performance is even more impressive when you clamber aboard the Lotus' colossal cabin. It will easily accommodate four tall adults, and its enormous 688-litre boot laughs in the face of family fortnights away. Lotus has even managed to sprinkle 46 litres worth of smaller storage areas throughout the cabin. 

The interior quality is arguably even more impressive, given Lotus' flakey reputation in such matters. Alcantara is slapped on most surfaces, and the car's vast infotainment screens are pin-sharp and easy to use; plus, your front-seat passenger gets a Ferrari FF-style driving information screen.  

The Lotus Eletre is on sale now, with prices starting from £89,500. Here’s hoping we’ll see a lightweight electric, two-seat sportscar from Lotus sometime soon… 

Photography by Pete Summers, Jordan Butters and Joe Harding