Can a Sports Car Company Make an SUV? / 2024 Lotus Eletre S Review

The 2024 Lotus Eletre is going places Lotus has never gone before. This is an all-new luxurious 591HP EV SUV from a company known for making lightweight 2-door sports cars. Starting at £104,500 UK (Pricing for the U.S. is not out yet), the Eletre S is a box of first steps for Lotus. The 105kWh battery pack can propel you 370 miles between charges, giving you plenty of time to enjoy the Dolby Atmos stereo and (should you option them) pseudo-suede seats.
Is the world ready to buy an electric luxury truck from a brand known for anything but? Does the driving experience live up to the spec sheet? Is it still “a Lotus”?
*The Eletre S starts at £104,500 in the UK. Pricing for the U.S. is not out yet.
** I did not have a spec sheet for this car so I didn’t do a detailed options breakdown.
Lotus provided travel/room/board to Norway and a significant amount of b-roll for this review.
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[@Maxx8666]

“The Tesla has an interior of a cleaned out desk when someone gets fired” 😂 bravo

[@addamussi]

Missed opportunity - cleaned out desk of a fired twitter employee

[@boy638]

@@addamussi X employee

[@starfox_wr-45e93]

@@addamussi Too close to home that one, imho.

[@robertvandeveer1846]

I quit!!! And I walked home…

[@perjanuschas8050]

@@robertvandeveer1846 Good for you!

[@jjmot27]

The comments bit was comedy gold. “You misspelled brake” 😂

[@travis3810]

*carlton dancing gif*

[@robertvandeveer1846]

His Tesla Camera dig was Golden as well…

[@chrisc.3193]

@@robertvandeveer1846 While Zac is a great presenter the sad truth is here friend, he has been overwhelmed by his partner's ridiculous nonsensical bias against Tesla, for reasons that are still hard to understand, and his comments, while quirky and funny..... are going to age very poorly!! I have a Tesla, I have FSD and they are going to win this race.... easily!

[@STRGHTSXBNZ]

​@@chrisc.3193your attitude is EXACTLY why we hate Tesla EVangelists. I wish you a life-long issue with Tesla aftersales. That should be enough misery for one person.

[@eb110americana]

"And last: 'FIRST!'" LOL!

[@chrisarmstrong2127]

Zack’s sarcasm makes every review just that little bit better. Scientific fact.

[@brendandolan6412]

I worked with Lotus during the Bahar days, and part of the team were guys who worked with Colin directly back in the day. When questioned about the SUV, the quote from them was "Colin would have sold main battle tanks if it allowed him to piss money away at the racetrack." Who cares what they sell, as long as it's profitable so they can still make fun stuff for enthusiasts. Nicely done video Zack; I enjoyed it.

[@cbotten106]

Sounds a whole lot like Enzo Ferrari, back in the day.

[@mbclk65amg]

Omg, the LIDAR dig at Tesla was too good 🤣🤣

[@koffeekan]

They could do the exact same with cameras 🙃🫠 honestly I’m convinced someone in the LiDAR space must have called Elon on his BS so thoroughly that he took it personally and felt compelled to prove them wrong. Too bad he failed and the only actual self driving rigs use LiDAR because it makes more sense and the Tesla vision system just phantom brakes in the middle of the street 🤷

[@jamesleate]

But cameras are far better at causing spectacular crashes whilst Tesla blames the dead driver.

[@Neojhun]

Though the serious technical reasons is not really relevant in this spat. LiDAR on highway speed vehicles is pointless bordering on dangerous. Even at on coming 70 mph one way = 140 mph relative velocity. The bleeding edge tech 60 cycles per second LiDAR is accurate to about +/- over 1 meter. Problem such units are very expensive and very small production yield. Anything being mass produced today is much LESS accurate and relies on Sensor Fusion to check it's data and apply some error correction. The truly superior sensor no one seems to care about FLIR based IRST which is what GM Cruise uses. That is accurate to +/- several meters at MACH 3. Not that any of this is important, not like people are actually going use this data.

[@cbotten106]

@@Neojhun So, setting aside the technical reasons, do you think Elon Musk is going to be more willing to pay patent fees for the next level Lidar when it finally gets to market? I suspect not. That IRST is never going to catch on with an ugly sounding acronym like that, btw. 🤣

[@leondantas]

Zach is an awesome presenter, this channel has a great team. Great video

[@billbligh4547]

He certainly knows his onions - mightily under appreciated. This is one fine review.

[@2S7PION]

Agreed! Zach did a fantastic job as always!@@billbligh4547

[@perjanuschas8050]

@@billbligh4547 I second that, plus that he is in my home country which he seems to like. And he is 100% correct about both the speed limits and the fines for breaking them, they're both ridiculous beyond words... Welcome back anytime Zach.

[@turtleonmeth1560]

Glad Zach got to go to Norway for this, bro puts in mad work! This car I think suits it’s purpose quite well, wether the enthusiast wanted a electric suv or not doesn’t matter lol it’s here and I hope it sells to sustain lotus

[@payne540]

I agree, even though “$100,000 SUV” is a market I would never, ever consider, I hope this sells insanely well to allow them to develop more amazing sports cars.

[@JET-F82]

looks like an angry Blazer

[@SweatySparrow]

Like from a boarding school?

[@POVwithRC]

​@@SweatySparrowNo, like from Chevrolet

[@jeremyb4493]

​@@SweatySparrow😄

[@iCGreen_]

SS maybe??

[@JeffBaudisch]

@@POVwithRCmy ❤😊❤❤❤😊😊😊o😅 9:21 ❤ 9:21 😊😅 9:21 😅

[@ams914]

that description of a tesla interior was amazing, hahaha. "Cleaned out desk after someone just got fired."

[@aebk8439]

This should just have the tuned by Lotus badge on it from the 80s&90s.

[@pole-star2118]

Lotus is owned by Geely, Geely own Volvo and Polestar. Volvo is going heavy into lidar autonomy. I assume that's why lotus went lidar as well. I wouldn't be surprised to find out that polestar 3 or 4 has similar wheelbase/dimensions to this.

[@AXXeYY]

swedish volvo dealarship may sell lotus in the future. its not out of question where i work

[@gustavofigueiredo1798]

I was about to comment/question if Lotus was chinese.

[@robhills2613]

Wiki states ownership of the group as: "Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co (51%) Etika Automotive (49%)" Erika is Malaysian, Geely is Chinese.

[@zackklapman3569]

Lotus said this car is being made on its own platform in its own factory. But, that doesn't mean it can't share dimensions with a cousin.

[@pole-star2118]

@zackklapman3569 Thanks for the clarification and reply!

[@venom5809]

LMAO Zack is on fire in this episode. 😂

[@aspiratedaloha2946]

Whatever keeps Lotus making more sports cars is ok by me

[@UnderwaterAlexJones]

"and lastly.. First." 10/10

[@basementality4924]

If this will keep them in business, go for it. Make this so they can make things like the emira. Just sold my hot hatch to buy a grown up crossover. A little sad but eventually when I can afford it I’d like to get the emira as a second fun car.

[@amazingjason455]

That would make sense if they were going to develop more gas sports cars.

[@davidsucks922]

Considering Lotus and their history, this is a far more put-together car than I thought it would be. Hope it sells so we can keep getting sports cars

[@theunknown302]

I think it looks really cool and glad it seems to be a good car. But if i ever give $100k to Lotus, its going to be for a sweet sweet Emira

[@beautyisontheinside]

This car was almost to 100% designed and built in China.. it’s the twin brother of the Zeekr 001 and the Volvo

[@damienlee1165]

This is how chinese cars come to America despite high tariffs, by wearing British and Swedish badges.

[@msm4445]

not true. The Lotus has it’s own platform called the Electric Premium Architecture (EPA), while the Zeekr’s platform is called Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA) platform. This Lotus shared almost nothing with Zeekr nor with Volvo. The Lotus is designed in England and Germany but assembled in China.

[@beautyisontheinside]

@@msm4445 Zeekr is also designed in Munich by exactly the same company. Just compare the technical data of Zeekr and Eletre. It’s identical right to the battery and loading capabilities. Do you really think a small company like lotus was able to create an infotainment system, touch controls, a leading audio experience?

[@TML34]

@@iannealcole😂😂no chance. Lotus contributed the badge to this abomination.

[@ARKAEA33]

The audio was designed by KEF, a storied British brand.@@beautyisontheinside

[@trevorsutherland5263]

Your point about the weight is exactly what was on my mind a few days ago while I was running around in my Alfa Giulia. I know the next one will be EV-only, but I can't for the life of me figure out how they'll make it handle as well as the current one when it is 1500 lbs heavier than it should be. Active suspension tech just increases the weight even further and eliminates the analog feel that makes sports cars----"sporty". With all the downsides to batteries; the geopolitics, the fires, the old car parks in NYC that will collapse, etc. I really see the ICE staying with us indefinitely via hybrids, synthetic fuels, hydrogen combustion, and whatever else the smart people can come up with. There is just no "free lunch" in Nature.

[@benjaminsmith2287]

@@paulgrant868 At some point, EVs may be the only thing available sadly. However, maybe the weight of batteries will go down. Or maybe some sort of hydrogen hybrid EV will be come reality some day. That's way off, infrastructure and costs aren't close yet.

[@surajvenkat]

Lol " the Tesla has the interior of a cleaned-out desk when someone gets fired" 10:30

[@Globbs]

It's so backwards that they have to build these for emissions reasons, on top of the other cars they sell. It's like eating 4 boxes of donuts and then eating a bowl of broccoli afterward to make it healthy. Let's hope it's at least profitable for them ...

[@christophorus991]

Great review. Nice work Zack

[@Dman_12]

Zach is crushing it. I feel like I shouldn't like an suv Lotus, but I like it and will be interesting to see how this new rebirth of Lotus plays out

[@chuck121370]

Your co-pilot had quite the personality. Thankfully Zac saved the day with his rock solid review.

[@moletrap2640]

Your analogies are first rate. Well done.

[@jonboy194]

Well done Zack, truely a reference video

[@mcutternin]

Great review. Well done!

[@anoopmathew82]

great review Zack!

[@aawashingtonjr]

I am really excited for this and can’t wait for it to come to the USA. This is probably the only all electric luxury SUV that I would be interested in buying. It is ahead of it’s time and I thing Lotus has done a superb job with it’s first SUV.

[@cs2294]

This style of video fits Zack much more. Much more cohesive

[@karlin_oriley]

Zack is one of the best. Not biased, very objective, has much knowledge, is funny and can deliver emotions when driving fun cars. The Eletre is sick! Lotus just reacts to what's wanted from many ppl and that are big SUV tanks... If we like it or not, most buyers demand it. If Lotus wouldn't react they'd bury themselves. I can absolutely live with a brand that sells SUVs AND sportscars in contrast to a brand that just sells sportscars and dies bcs of ignorance! The Emeya will be just a little sicker and more amazing (sedan Version of the Eletre)

[@GoPotato69]

damn lotus did a great job on the drone B roll

[@nicholascooke5263]

Excellent video Zach!

[@willdolan9056]

great job Zack.!!!

[@jazbah2194]

Great Review!

[@kellysandford1877]

Great job, Zach!

[@JackMoynihanOfficial]

The infotainment design (and production location) tell you everything of what market they are really trying to target with this.

[@figifister]

Best car review you have ever done Zach!

[@gavinsullivan9015]

Can’t afford one but I have been waiting for your review and it’s another great effort 👏

[@fmonk]

Just took delivery of a R1T. The Rivian guide suggested keeping regen on standard since I'm new to EVs. On the second day I tried high regen and actually find it much easier and predictable because you have the confidence of knowing that the vehicle will stop (rather than second guessing). Brands who err on lesser regen, I think they have it wrong.

[@SkylineLofe]

I believe that's more so because the Rivian is an absolute unit. But, I'm also usually in the same boat as you. Here however, I'm going to listen to Lotus as they KNOW what a good vehicle is supposed to be

[@matthewday1242]

Great video Zack. Love the few zingers too.....😅

[@MrHeisenb3rg]

I read “amphibious” at first and got way more excited than I probably should have gotten.

[@bakamojojojo]

That was a seriously good guys, well done.

[@herme99]

Not watched a Zach review before. Enjoyed it thanks. Boggles my mind that such an expensive car will be a high volume seller.

[@burrogrande]

Great review! And 100% agree. They can do whatever they like in order to make sportcars

[@porscheguy5848]

Great review, dynamics, interior, but I’m not a fan of the styling. I’d have to get in in black to cover up all the weird angles

[@MarioDallaRiva]

Bravo, Zach 👏🏼👏🏼

[@EspenX]

As all Norwegians, I have waited for this review since it is in Norway. Your review Zack was great. And now you will probably hear from all us Norwegians that nitpick what you said about Norway that was wrong :) The most obvious one was saying EVs are heavily subsidised in Norway by oil money. EVs cost the same in the US as they do in Norway - not including US EV tax credit and whatnot that makes US EVs subsidised. EVs in Norway are sold without tax credits, but fossil fueled cars have for decades had lots of different taxes, like on weight, engine size, CO2 emissions etc.

[@larssonk22]

2:55 I see our Great British humour has rubbed off on you, bloody hell 😂 🎩

[@scottbowers7248]

If it allows Lotus to continue making cars like the Emira, I am all for it

[@EvoraGT430]

Exactly what they said when Porsche turned out the Cayenne; and that worked out okay!

[@dadhats]

the not so subtle digs at tesla had me rolling loool

[@rdiamond655]

I agree with Zach’s summary

[@thegirthquake8574]

Honestly, and in complete defiance of zach's future comments, I don't mind it. It's not an established name like the elise, evora or exige, and it's a product that's required for lotus to continue its existence.

[@carlchampagne6321]

Are the breaks any good?

[@BrendanEvan]

Doesn’t matter cuz Colin is rolling in his grave 😂

[@TheJipino]

Brakes* I see what we did there

[@ClassyDingo]

Alcantara cupholders?? Seems like not great idea

[@MegaRetr]

LMAO Zack is on fire in this episode

[@Jackinacox]

I can see Geely and Lynk Co everywhere throughout this SUV - has nothing to with Lotus.... I'm sure buyers won't care a bit.

[@dil6969]

Don't get me wrong, I despise the truck/SUV craze that's infected the car market over the last 15 years, but I fully acknowledge that car companies have to go where the money is. The only reason car companies can afford to make any sports cars at all is thanks to the million billion SUVs they sell year over year. If this thing can help finance Lotus's sports cars, then more power to them.

[@ErronKebabb]

3:10 Thought it was a plane to show the airflow.. rewound like 5 times xD

[@todthebod]

“And lastly, First!” 😂😂😂 I’m dying

[@tdcfpc3630]

Yay another $100k electric car truck thing. So excited

[@Cloxxki]

Lotus actually promised 2000 kg until recently, to make it a "real Lotus." The Eletre S press cars are around 2600-2630kg on the weigh bridge. How did that happen? Same as AMG One gained 500 kg of "F1 technology"?

[@EvoraGT430]

Safety legislation.

[@Cloxxki]

@@EvoraGT430 Nope. If it were a try e Lotus, it would be lots lighter than similar cars. It's not. They just didn't try. If they did try more so than heavy brands like Audi and budget brands like KIA and Hyundai, why can't we see the fruits of such labour? McLaren makes the effort and their cars tend to be lighter than equivalent Porsches, Audis, Ferraris and Corvettes. BMW at times makes the effort and then it shows. Tesla makes the effort, and it shows versus Porsche. How can we see Lotus put in the effort? Why promise 2000kg?

[@jamesnooyen4088]

I love the way it looks from the rear but the headlights are wierd, hopefully Lotus continues to build sports cars like the Emira if this sells well

[@TheHesK9]

That's the whole point of this car

[@joebrito2066]

I like it. Geely is really putting money into their brands. Lotus can easily become an EV sport brand. Thanks to Lotus Teslas was able to enter the market.

[@benjaminsmith2287]

Finally someone gets that Geely puts money into brands and doesn't make a bunch of generic cars that each brand just badge engineers. Geely is probably the best parent company because of that. They actually encourage their acquired brands to engineer, design and produce their products by the personnel in those brands and they fund them to do so.

[@ZakWilson]

I wish people would buy wagons that aren't pretending to be off-roaders so companies could make them.

[@AlexGarcia-kg9pw]

I'm surprised how much I actually like the side "mirrors" (screens), looks very futuristic. Nice vid Zach!

[@henryfenryful]

Its like what Porsche did in the late 90s and early 2000s when they built the Cayenne. The purists will hate it but people who didn't know lotus existed before this year, or even this car are gonna say "oh they make sports cars too?" And that'll open up even more of a market for their sports cars. Good for them, big slay lol

[@robwaters8848]

Let's hope that's the case for Lotus. 👌

[@beautyisontheinside]

At least you the cayenne is build by the same team that did the 911. In this case the car is an exact copy of the Zeekr 001 and the Volvo which are produce on the same platform in China by Geely. They only change the design slightly but underneath it’s exactly the same

[@henryfenryful]

@beautyisontheinside you have a point, though the Cayenne also had that same deal with it being the same platform as the Touareg and the Q7. I'm sure there might be a few differences underneath the Zeekr and the Lotus? I'd be really interested to see a comparison. I know the Cayenne has different suspension components and engines over the base model 3.2.

[@beautyisontheinside]

@@henryfenryful that’s true, but the Audi, Lambo shared platform happened much later. Originally they didn’t share many parts

[@msm4445]

@@beautyisontheinsidenot true. The Lotus has it’s own platform called the Electric Premium Architecture (EPA), while the Zeekr’s platform is called Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA) platform. This Lotus shared almost nothing with Zeekr nor with Volvo. The Lotus is designed in England and Germany but assembled in China.

[@user-oe4bz9tw9e]

shoes look great!

[@somaambrus7084]

I hate that they make this now, but also get it. Lotus had to find a way to make some money finally.. Also. Good job on this production Zack

[@GoPotato69]

Zach any info ab the Chevy Equinox EV or times for press cars? def a major competitor in this EV SUV space

[@fredfrond6148]

Lotus is part of the Geeley, zeekr, polestar and Volvo group. Tech, driving dynamics, build quality and manufacturing capability.

[@grimereaper6206]

Overall cool SUV but I really don’t like how the doors don’t smoothly transition to the front quarter panels, makes it look like it’s been in a wreck or something

[@ElyciusM]

“And lastly, first” LOL that was clever. Good one zack lmao.

[@briankennedy6693]

My dumb ass read amphibious instead of ambitious and got really excited for half a second….

[@aguruattapiano]

First! Edit: how did he know? 😮

[@TheSmokingTire]

I WENT TO THE FUTURE.

[@KhanJoltrane]

Lmao

[@Skooby59]

I appreciate the bit about the comments

[@kernoleary1394]

my word, those wheels are pretty righteous

[@hyogomarume8345]

A British car filled with new technology that they have never used before, what could possibly go wrong?

[@alfamonk]

Aside from the weak auto-racism, it's owned by Geely, owner of Volvo, Polestar, Lynk+Co, and Zeekr, amongst others. All with proven EV technology, but you've not probably not heard of these companies...

[@tallguysix8]

First! Crazy that Zach knew I was going to say that 🤣

[@LakeLake123]

Just a little correction at 1:52 Hummer EV estimated range is now up to 381 miles, further than the Eletre’s 370 mile estimate.

[@samusaran7317]

Pretty bad considering how big the battery is.

[@mr.snoopy8732]

It's easier to keep cup holders clean if the bottom rises to the top. It's better than swabbing cup holders out with a damp towel.

[@matteogirelli1023]

I agree with the choice of the engineers not to program the car to recharge-brake up to a stop by simply lifting the throttle.

[@robertvandeveer1846]

Zach, best review I have seen yet. I really like that you didn’t act like a 7th Grader seeing boobies for the first time in the R version. Other YT presenters (British maybe) have been over the top in hyping the performance of this ESUV. I agree with you that for Lotus to survive it must embrace the future to avoid becoming the past. This vehicle is on my short list… waiting to see what Porsche has in mind for the EV Macan.

[@georgimihalkov4781]

Judging by the reviews the Eletre is very good and for sure it's going to make a lot of profit for Lotus. But that design makes the BMW XM look subtle and restrained.

[@markevans3488]

The XM looks like a bulldog in a dress compared to this 😂

[@ztunelover]

I completely agree with Lotus’ vision for the future build lots of high profit margin lifestyle vehicles, and I love the contempt that it will be build in some factory in china, while the boss sports cars will be made in the uk factory.

[@georgekarnezis4311]

Lastly first is hilarious

[@lazydays_77]

the cup holder thing is cool, why does it have paddles? more zach videos please

[@jayb1108]

Very good commentator

[@jagpilotohio]

Cool. Love it but I can’t afford it. Oh well. Maybe grab a used one on 4 or 5 years

[@GR1MRACER]

Why would Lotus make a SUV Mr.Krabs Meme saying " MONEY! "

[@SevereWeatherCenter]

This car looks cool. But what about range?

[@Michael-rf5uy]

The front end looks like a cross between a Nissan juke and a Elantra n

[@gustavoflorio5383]

16:16 Where's Wally? 🤣

[@PassportBrosBusinessClass]

That's a sexy exterior, but what's to stop a large, well established maker from building a sleek EV SUV like that? The new Prius for example is pretty sleek but it's economy.

[@PacificRacer]

wth were the paddle shifter things for?

[@nicholassmith7048]

15:03 why do the cupholders have a cover? Because cupholders should always have a cover when not in use. It's very uncouth to have uncovered cupholders, especially is a luxury vehicle. That's why Rolls Royce covers or has a hiding place for nearly everything.

[@goncalo33]

I have uncovered cupholders in my generic commuter car. They gather up dust, crumbs, etc. like crazy.

[@murdoch9106]

Might be one of the best looking electric EV's I've seen so far, very well done Lotus and the range is pretty impressive as well. I cant afford one, but if I could, I'd give this a try for sure! :)

[@JakeBullingtonTV]

And it’s not only funding the Lotus sports cars…even if it is a heavy EV SUV, it’s still gonna handle and perform better than the Honda & Chevy SUVs.

[@Saint_Vincent1735]

Please remember this is there First SUV. Lotus will get better at this but as the first one they’ve ever made she’s pretty good

[@DarkKnight-ws3wx]

The people complaining about them making a SUV or whatever they wanna call it don't understand the market for SUV's