World Premiere: Lotus Eletre all-electric SUV flexes its future mobility muscle

One of the LiDAR sensors is found above the windshield, two out around the front wheel arches and another just over the rear windshield, deploying when necessary to run ADAS features like the intelligent adaptive cruise control, front and rear collision mitigation support, and lane-keeping aid.

According to Lotus, the ADAS suite is designed to be future-proof, and will evolve over time via 5G-powered OTA updates.

Another feature is what Lotus calls 'porosity'. It begins up front, where those side tusks help push air into vertical left and right intakes that channel it around wheels and spit it out through the ducts just ahead of the doors.

The grille space between those front blades looks like an unassuming black panel etched with a triangular pattern, but those triangles actually open to send cool air rushing over the electric motors, battery and front brakes.

Porous aero elements continue with the canyon-like vents dominating the hood, outlets behind the rear wheels and D-pillar air blades.

Besides all the styling and technology, the Eletre rides on Lotus' aluminum and high-tensile steel Electric Premium Architecture that packages the 100-plus-kWh battery inside a 'skateboard' deck.

Both the battery and dual-motor e-drive are set as low as possible to optimize center of gravity and handling characteristics.

Lotus expects the Eletre will achieve up to 600 km of driving range per charge before using its 350-kW 800-V charging capability to suck in 400 km of range within about 20 minutes.

The electric drive sends up to 600 hp out to all four wheels via front and rear motors, pushing the car to a top speed of 260 km/h down the line from the sub-three 0-100 km/h.

Functions like standard air suspension, continuous damping control, available active ride height and available active rear-axle steering contribute to driving dynamics.

Regarding the cockpit, a dashboard-stretching light strip changes color to convey important information about battery charge level and the like, and not-as-important information about things like a temperature change.

Below that light ribbon, the 15.1-in OLED touchscreen infotainment display sits between two long, narrow digital displays that comprise a focused instrument panel for the driver and a general informational display for the passenger.

The driver can also rely on the standard augmented reality-equipped HUD for information, and the rear passengers have an infotainment touchscreen all their own.

What's more, the Eletre pulls audio in with a voice command system and fires it out with two available KEF premium audio systems. The 2,160-watt KEF Reference system relies on 23 speakers to create a rich 3D surround soundstage.

Lotus will begin Eletre production at its all-new high-tech facility in Wuhan, China later this year, with the first customer deliveries heading to launch markets in China, Europe and the UK in 2023. Pricing will start under £100,000, according to Bloomberg.