What is it?
The Eletre is the first Lotus SUV and the first electric Lotus on sale in Australia. Built in Wuhan on Geely's Premium Architecture platform, it shares its 800V electrical backbone with the Polestar 5 and Zeekr 001. Three variants: base 450 kW dual-motor, S at the same output with a fuller kit list, and the 675 kW R with a two-speed rear-axle gearbox that hits 100 km/h in 2.95 seconds. All three run a 112 kWh NMC battery, with up to 600 km WLTP on the base and S.
The lineup runs from Eletre at $229,990 plus on-roads, through to Eletre R at $289,990 plus on-roads. Warranty cover sits at 3 years, unlimited km (Emira). 5 years, 150,000 km (Eletre).
Interior and Technology
800V architecture with 350 kW DC charging takes the battery from 10 to 80 per cent in around 20 minutes, up to 600 km WLTP range on the base and S, and active rear-wheel steering plus air suspension standard across the range. The R variant out-accelerates the base Porsche Taycan Turbo.
5-year / 150,000 km warranty trails German rivals on coverage. Some LiDAR-based driver-assist features are not yet active in Australia pending software certification, and the Lotus service network is still small outside Sydney and Melbourne.
Should you buy the Eletre?
Reasons to buy
- 800V architecture with 350 kW DC charging takes the battery from 10 to 80 per cent in around 20 minutes, up to 600 km WLTP range on the base and S, and active rear-wheel steering plus air suspension standard across the range. The R variant out-accelerates the base Porsche Taycan Turbo.
- Warranty: 5 years, 150,000 km.
- 611 L boot, segment-competitive cargo space.
Reasons to wait
- 5-year / 150,000 km warranty trails German rivals on coverage. Some LiDAR-based driver-assist features are not yet active in Australia pending software certification, and the Lotus service network is still small outside Sydney and Melbourne.
- You want a longer factory warranty than 5 years, you live outside Sydney or Melbourne where the Lotus service network is still thin, or you need every LiDAR-based driver-assist feature working today (some remain locked pending local certification).
- Confirm which advanced driver-assist features are actually enabled in the current Australian software build before signing. Resale on EVs at this price point remains an unknown, factor it into your hold horizon.
- Top trim climbs to $289,990 plus on-roads.
CarTell.tv review of the Lotus Eletre is coming. Subscribe on YouTube and you will be first to see it.
