Lotus Eletre 900-mile review. It might look good but there's a problem with this EV. Range..

I lived with a Lotus Eletre for a week and covered nearly 900 miles in it to see how well it works as a sporting family EV. Unfortunately, there's a major problem; the range between charges is terrible..
This video was created with the support of:
www.footmanjames.co.uk/
www.magnitudefinance.com/harr...
www.silverstoneauctions.com/
www.ctek.com
For more info on Sustain Classic Fuels for the link below
sustainclassic.com/
Follow me on
/ harrysgaragevids
/ harrym_vids

[@geraint8989]

If ever there was a car where, if you removed badges, no level of inspection could possibly tell you what make it was…

[@none3763]

I'd guess KIA, which is not an insult.

[@brunodemelo4997]

Rear looks like a lucid. Front like a McLaren suv

[@Spenny909]

Shows you how far they have moved on.

[@gweflj]

Down the drain…

[@robkleinlangevelsloo259]

The car looks like a generic Chinese E.V..

[@Scuderia2000HD]

Genuinely cannot believe we live in a world where that thing wears a Lotus badge

[@ScoobySteve555]

Chapman would be crying 😢

[@adrianinman]

It isn’t. It is a Chinese car wearing a Lotus badge.

[@Quagmire925]

@@ScoobySteve555you need to read some history about Chapman! If it made money he’d be interested!

[@littlebigcat]

Get over it. Cayennes means Porsche can make the GT cars

[@MrDead1975]

like Ferrari, Lamborghini, Aston Martin and no doubt McLaren will release one sooner rather than later

[@stevepeary5322]

The main danger with camera mirrors for me is that its a fixed view. With mirrors you can move your head around to widen the view and cover blind spots. You cant do that with a camera mirror. Technology for technology’s sake.

[@nickbrown5457]

Really good point, mate. Pulling onto motorways from sliproads, I always move my head around to get a really clear view from my mirror from different angles.

[@keyop1970]

Hadn't thought about 'til today when I was looking at a Q8 Etron and the salesman was telling me they're supposed to eliminate blind spots which makes sense with no pillars being in the way. I'm still not a fan but it'd be interesting to have one for a day or so to see if you got used to it.

[@stevepeary5322]

@@keyop1970the key words here are “a salesman told me”. A glass mirror uses the same blind spot detection as the new camera mirrors. Mirrors are also positioned so there is an unobstructed view. Give one a try but in my opinion there is more chance of missing a hazard than with a glass mirror

[@keyop1970]

@stevepeary5322 D'oh! I was thinking about the pillars getting in the way, but that's because I'm a motorcyclist, so shoulder checks're second nature! 😂

[@couldntthinkofmyname]

I use them regularly driving a lorry and I cannot agree enough. They feel so video gamey because you can't just move your head to change perspective. Our boss is no longer ordering them as accidents have risen.

[@oliy2543]

Huuuuge respect as always to Harry for providing those maths, numbers and figures. A proper bit of consumer advice that is!!

[@bastogne315]

Harry got a new Lotus for this review or a shed load of cash.

[@steveburns4543]

A little bit of my soul just died seeing a Lotus badge on this monstrosity

[@EvoraGT430]

TBF they said exactly the same thing about the Cayenne. Now Porsche are an SUV maker that happens to make (great) sports cars.

[@stanislavolshevskyi5264]

However, Levante did not help Maserati and DBX is VERY far from saving Aston Martin. So SUVs are not a kind of easy magic, working for every manufacturer. There should be some additional substance and I do not see it in this Lotus.

[@steveburns4543]

Perhaps there is a place for this car and they obviously think it commercially necessary. I'm just getting older now and it seems every new automotive thing is another step away from everything I love about cars.

[@svenskaz3428]

​@@stanislavolshevskyi5264 because porsche did it first, the later ones are just copycat strategies

[@krivickas]

By saving planet with this truck they are killing the brands with heritage....

[@isctony]

Let's be honest, it's an absolute monstrosity! Electric cars still going the wrong way in terms of weight and power. Bring us efficiency over everything else

[@niklaswejedal463]

Could not agree more - lightweight and super areo is the only way to go to make good EVs - not f***ing SUVs

[@grossibp]

I think for that would be Citroen C3 or something recently I've heard about. To compete with Chinese brands in the European market. Of course not of that size. But I agree completely. Nearly 3 tones to move my ass around is too much and has nothing to do with the ecology.

[@bishopdredd5349]

I feel that regulators should have focused on hybrids first and move the market to electric when battery technology has improved (as in capacity, less rare earths and recyclable).

[@_Ben4810]

It is disappointing that with all the knowledge within Lotus Engineering, they couldn't have developed an Elise EV to give what people really want....A global market electric two-seater sports car with a 250-300 mile range that can be used daily with multiple levels of luxury & options to choose from...

[@ericpisch2732]

They make cars the customer wants to buy, customers primarily want SUVs, most Porsche sales are SUVs

[@SS-yw7vo]

Side mirror cameras are fixing a non existent problem

[@LOTPOR0402]

And adding more complication that cost a fortune to replace

[@grigorioschristodoulou5229]

They are not even equal but more complex. They are plain worse. No depth information

[@zakelwe]

@@LOTPOR0402 Yep, it would be worrying every time you drove down a b road. Already around here SUV drivers drive over the centre line until they have to move over just to avoid getting the 23 inch alloys damaged ... It would be ironic a big fat EV getting stuck with an oncoming home oil heating tanker coming the other way 🙂

[@LOTPOR0402]

@@zakelwe Not really going on about ,I am going on about insurance repair costs .And you wonder why car ins is sky high .If you are not in the know then go and check out the price of car parts

[@ecan533]

That good old fashioned saying 'just because you can, doesn't mean you should'

[@Joe-lb8qn]

A very clear detailed , well filmed and put together review. Pity the car doesn't match, it's outrageous that a £100k car only just has a realistic range of 225 or so miles.

[@danparish1344]

Better range and cheaper than the Porsche Tycan

[@thesmokingman]

These Chinese cars copy what's easy to copy about Tesla, w/o what really makes Tesla a Tesla, the EFFICIENCY.

[@baobo67]

The Lotus badge will pull tossers not real motor enthusiasts,

[@glenny2960]

People get so hung up on range in EV’s. The world of motoring has/is changing. 200+ miles will give you 3hrs driving at 70mph, by which time MOST people will have stopped for a ‘comfort break’, and with super chargers, you can add another 150-200 miles in 25-30 minutes whilst you have a break. Charging speeds will get quicker, and battery capacity will increase with new developments. EV haters will say ‘I always drive for 5-6 hours without having a stop’ - well this isn’t for you then! I’ve grown up with ICE vehicles most of my driving life, but moved to an EV 6yrs ago, and will never go back. Better for me in every metric. EV haters always talk ‘edge cases’ but 95%+ of their daily driving life, an EV will be more than adequate.

[@baobo67]

Range matters here in Australia.Not a hang up. Cheers @@glenny2960

[@ErosXeros]

It's not a Lotus Car, it's a Geely car. It's not an English Car, it's a Chinese Car. That's it.

[@Lando-kx6so]

It's British just built in China by it's Chinese owned manufacturer

[@nariman_kashefi]

Exactly, Colin Chapman is turning in his grave.

[@DougC83]

Too much Geely and not enough Lotus, way too much chintzy zeekr like knobs

[@klausnielsen7102]

It’s a Lotus in the same way that a iX M60 is an M-car!

[@ErosXeros]

@@Leo23XR I do not want to finance the Chinese Communist Party which supports Russia in Ukraine.

[@fishbert17]

Great… Another colossal EV with an equally colossal price tag. Just what we need.

[@andypicken7848]

fishbert1 You are correct EVs are just what is need in inner city areas because they are zero emmision at the point of use. 500 EVs within a built up ares will be less damaging than just one foscilfueled vehicle

[@macducati2304]

Harry said it has huge brakes, it has to have them to stop the bloody thing it weighs so heavy!

[@rare6499]

Makes you wonder in this day and age are there really enough people to buy all these expensive cars? Everyone I know couldn’t afford to buy this kind of rubbish. Not sure what planet these manufacturers are living on.

[@kipsome45]

@andypicken7848 You can't even spell, let alone make a coherent case for EV's.

[@03Deltaintegrale]

The SUV has been killing off mainstream saloons, coupes and verts for years. Only the "premium" marques still sell anything into respectable figures. Now with EVs and their massive battery packs, SUVs will be more prevalent. A whole swathe of homogenous A-B boxes for the mass market to consume.

[@bandidol200]

Nice to see the Square steering wheel from the Austin Allegro has made a come back! 😁

[@2packs4sure]

Harry thank you so much for doing the equivalent in miles per gallon,, no one ever does that in these tests and that's the way I relate to these things. I appreciate it !

[@SirVicc]

Honestly, all these electric popup handles, video mirrors, LCD screen instruments. All things designed just to leave you stranded or locked in or out of your car when they fail/crash. It is getting ridiculous.

[@Blue2024_rs]

Yeah, I mean how much does a normal door handle can affect the range, it's insane. I mean they get rid of the dashboard buttons just to complicate other things

[@hymek7017]

I'm sure they'd fail pretty quickly in a cold climate and the car is all iced up. Perhaps everyone who spends 96K on a car has sufficient garage space?

[@tturtle1659]

But hey, the government will know where you are and send someone to save you.

[@strawman3059]

Or remotely operated 🤔

[@Skawagon]

The new Lotus mantra: Complicate and add weight.

[@Senkatuka23]

In what world is £96k reasonable?!

[@adrianbyron-parker5797]

Harry's World 😁

[@larsstougaard7097]

Its surely not a garage sale 😅

[@AndrewTSq]

Haha same here. I think 20k is reasonable for a car :)

[@wingcommanderdaltonwalton67]

A car for the people 😂. The roads will only be repaired once us plebs are priced off of them!

[@ericpisch2732]

Harry the millionaire KZbinr 😂 like most other car KZbinrs (shmee Jayemm etc) they are so far away from reality financially it’s hysterical. The avg uk salary is £35k and the avg person drives 50miles a day, so the problem with this car is not the range (it’s fine) it’s the price 😂

[@owenmcdonald5922]

Some great videos this last year. Aston V8 and 288GTO to name just two. Looking forward to seeing what you get up to next year. For now, have a great Christmas.

[@boriss.861]

Look at Geoff Thomson (Geoff buys cars) and Lee "The MacMaster" (in his Porsche Taykan) their 3 reels on EV v ICE Just disastrous for EV. What surprised me was the cost of Charging £10's for a few miles of range!

[@timday6087]

I absolutely hate the fact that you have to turn off lane assist etc before every drive. I drive a Skoda and lane assist is just plain dangerous. It might work on a motorway, but it activates whenever it detects road/tar repair lines in the road and frequently wants to pull me in to the kerb or cyclists etc whenever I forget to turn it off. All to satisfy some daft directive.

[@DrFod]

Lane assist is unnecessary and borderline dangerous. You can blame the EU for mandating this nonsense.

[@michaelsummerell8618]

Lane assist sounds like a good idea in theory, but in the real world it just doesn't work.

[@IdiotRace]

Every time I drive a rental this always happens. I'm so glad my 2018 car doesn't have it or I'd be looking for ways to code the damn thing out.

[@bishopdredd5349]

It’s because people are continuously shortening their attention span and are not focussing on driving that we need all this baby care nonsense.

[@chrispenn715]

Yep - same on my MG worst thing about the car. Apart from this stupid, dangerous nanny system, it's a great everyday car. NCAP needs rolling back a notch or two in the interests of safety!

[@dedge12858]

A proportion of road fund tax should be based on a vehicle's siza/weight to try to discourage this kind of nonsense.

[@antonoat]

I have to agree, surely these massive heavy, inefficient vehicles are the total opposite of what we want and need!

[@chillout1109]

Not everyone lives their lives like you. I think you are being tremendously selfish and ignorant to want everyone to want what you want.

[@carrotcake9999]

Don't do that do that in France?

[@andypicken7848]

antonoat They are not inefficient any EV is more efficient that any foscil fueled vehicle because the ICE is only 30% efficient loosing the majority of its energy in the form of heat

[@Nickbaldeagle02]

There is no such thing as road tax. It was abolished in 1937.

[@megapangolin1093]

Fascinating video, Harry, the wing mirror replacement package is worth more than my car. I always wanted to say something like that, but it is now true. My car is thoroughly reliable and economical. I am not sure that I am missing out on too much though. Interesting holey design, great for easy cleaning all the mud and stuff which will no doubt appear in every crevice.

[@paulanderson7796]

For me the biggest problem with cameras as opposed to optical mirrors is refocusing. In an optical mirror you look into the distance. With a camera and screen your eyes have to focus on the screen.

[@tomlanigan4308]

I'm so sorry to see that some bugger has kicked the door in and then walked around the other side and kicked the other door in too.

[@richardstamper5630]

Yes and then left dirty great big holes at the back of the wheels so that stones are directed straight towards your windscreen...

[@MG-Rovernut]

Loving my 26years old Rover Cabby😊

[@DriverTuition]

Exactly my thoughts!

[@grahamcoffer1720]

Simply cannot imagine the awful depreciation on this soulless car ,which unbadged you’d never tell its a lotus.

[@SDK2006b]

Why would you be concerned about the depreciation 🤣 Just means it’ll be cheaper for the the 2nd owner, countering all of the ‘this is expensive new’ moaners !

[@cnesloc8575]

just another Chinese EV

[@robsmall6466]

​@@SDK2006b"moaners". We have another star for humanity in the comments everyone

[@SDK2006b]

@@robsmall6466- it’s like ‘shock’ a luxury, high performance SUV is expensive 🤷‍♂️ I’d like a Ferrari for £50 a month too but sadly life isn’t that easy 👍🏻 My advice would be don’t watch videos of stuff which is beyond your reach, if it triggers you.

[@robsmall6466]

@@SDK2006b You could take your own advice and not be triggered by others comments. The OP is making a valid point on both this particular model and car pricing in general ( especially when it comes to the majority of EV )

[@ferrarikangaroo9271]

Wow, this video was really educational. I now know to only shop for cars pre-2024. Having to use an inconvenient touch screen to turn off driver "aids" (an infection) every time I get in, is an instant no-sale.

[@baobo67]

Love this soft sell by a latter day ‎Arthur Daley. ''Someone been using it for the School run.'' I cringed realizing my Mazda 2 won,t cut it anymore and I haven't even graduated to SUVs Still watching EVs but keep getting turned off, no pun intended. Saw a whole lot of bods waiting as their vehicles recharged and it reminded me of the Dialysis Ward in a hospital

[@siraff4461]

A wise man once said "simplify and add lightness". Even after his death his legacy was great. It looks like it finally ends with this. RIP Mr Chapman.

[@juansantiagovozmedianoponc5406]

Si levantará la cabeza... Una pena y desvergüenza lo que han hecho con su legado. Haber si se pasa ya esta moda estúpida de los suv y coches muy pesados.

[@bean5prout293]

he must be rolling in his grave

[@PJH1111]

@@bean5prout293 Can we hook up a generator and convert that to electric power?

[@NickG24]

Legacy fully tainted. 😢

[@_Ben4810]

...& a wise man's best friends also once said ''You give us all those millions of £££'s, the wife knows the Swiss banking system, we can transfer it thru' Switzerland & onto Panama...no-one will ever find it'' Perhaps you should re-check on that great looking legacy #delorean

[@dustyice3110]

I think the fact they had to enlarge the lotus badge pretty much says it all ...

[@zcat1006]

Yep

[@Adlata]

100% agree this is a poor review and hard downvote from me. With all the amazing cars Harry could review he choose this generic chinese car with lotus badge, nice way to promote geely who own lotus and asset stripping the brand. also how is 90 grand is cheap for a product dumped chinese ev built from slave labour(Uyghurs concentration camp workers make parts, 10 year olds in central Africa working in dirty chinese owned colbalt mines to dig up the rare earth material that goes into the batteries)? that's shmee150 levels of first world problems.. less shilling for the ccp, what next a review another so called 'British' brand owned by the chinese(Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation) MG4 xpower ?

[@johnmfjw]

Big badge big ego.

[@nickbrown5457]

@@Adlata I think you make some good points, but you could never describe Harry as a Chinese shill. He is a genuinely honest car reviewer, in my opinion.

[@agermaninsweden]

Well done video and the deep technical investigations much appreciated Harry ! I see a lot of comments here, not liking the new way of Lotus at all. Well, I drove RRS and AMG SUVs the past years, but now here in Sweden you are more or less forced to change to EVs. After testing all kind of hybrids like X5, Volvo and the usual candidates like EQE/SUV, iX I found the Lotus Eletre the best deal. It simply has a large boot, making it useful for a family of 4 and a dog. Drove it in Gothenborg before Christmas and placed the order right after. Fascinating car, handling like a VW Golf in spite of it's size and weight, getting all the looks. I had no chance testing the range with a full battery charge, but even if it not as efficient as announced, for my purposes and daily driving range it is more than sufficient.

[@seanfoster1980]

Thanks for the early review. Can’t wait to see you review the new EV Range Rover. Also, appreciate the honest feedback on the camera mirrors at night. Don’t hear others talking about those short-comings.

[@philmclean2323]

I really feel for you Harry. So sorry you had to do this.

[@anthonygnapp7495]

This just confirms to me that I will never buy a new car again, ever !

[@Nickbaldeagle02]

Lease instead.

[@RussellB.]

Depressing isn’t it.

[@superseven7947]

I was thinking the same thing

[@lqr824]

still driving my 2001 M5 and 2008 F430, both manuals of course!

[@marktaylor1777]

96000 is crazy.. will depreciate .like you would not believe.

[@reececollison5101]

At the end of three years this probably won’t even be worth £30k

[@venuesurfamerica9840]

Thanks for the mpg comparison.

[@worldofrandometry6912]

They give us touchscreens which are borderline dangerous and lane assist which is meant to help but doesn't. Then there's the wing mirror cameras.....just give us glass mirrors...they work!

[@mrsoisauce9017]

There are real mirrors in the states because camera mirrors are illegal here

[@annkaewpradit5692]

Returning everyone back to manual cars sans the stupidity of alarm bleeps, attention monitors and lane keeping nanny state shite would possibly make drivers better at driving. The ability to control the vehicle, know it's dimensions and deal with its' dynamics has be lost. Better training, less distractions and no 20 mph zones would be better

[@icedreamer9629]

Mirror cameras make sense only once they can remove the entire stalk. Like, if a camera meant totally removing that bump, a totally flat, smooth aero all down the side of the car, I could see the point. Instead, there's a stalk so it is only a tiny bit better for aero.

[@philamato9583]

Colin Chapman turns in grave.

[@mrsoisauce9017]

@@philamato9583 the big problem isn’t that it’s an EV or an SUV. Lotus has proven it can turn both EVs (Lotus Evija) and passenger vehicles (Lotus Carlton/Cortina) into true Lotuses. The problem is that they didn’t even attempt to do so with the Eletre. It’s big, complex and heavy, even by EV standards. And I know that they’re aiming for a larger market and that they needed a Cayenne competitor, but there were so many better ways to do that that would have actually stayed true to Lotus DNA. This ain’t it, chief

[@Lyndalewinder]

Great video Harry - thanks for posting. For a company whose mantra under Chapman was all about reducing weight, the company seems to have lost its way big style with this car!

[@mattsurrey6138]

We have a 2023 Ioniq 5 (dual motor) Namsan for our family run about and I was flabbergasted at the difference in range come Winter. When temps are in the 20C+ we would get close to 300 miles, below 10C and we are on almost 200 full charge. I have begun to like the camera mirrors but it took a long time. We live just down the road from Harry and the lane avoidance on the B-roads is borderline dangerous! If I'm not going on a motorway it gets turned off as soon as I get in. Hopefully Lotus will iron out some of the problems with updates and it will be interesting to see how the range differs come summer. But as many have said the biggest downside for me would be depreciation. There's a LOT of Taycan s/turbo GT used cars out there going very cheap and I've even heard stories of some Porsche dealers not wanting to take them back for trade-ins... To also add not having a rear wiper on a SUV in the UK is a nightmare, no matter how much rainX you put on its gets mucky very quickly.

[@chrisbirkett1059]

I have a 2023 Ioniq 5 Namsan edition as well and I really dislike the camera mirrors. They're fine in daylight but truly awful at night, especially when trying to reverse. The reversing lights don't seem to do anything whatsoever and the reverse camera on the dash is no better. I really struggle with reversing the car at night. I'll never have another car with reversing cameras again, normal mirrors are absolutely fine! I'm also suffering the same range issues now that the temperatures have dropped, but that comes as no surprise

[@antburman]

Lovely, clear critique. Very brave of Harry.

[@Brookspirit]

It's a depressing car, all these things are, but putting a Lotus badge on it is really sad.

[@toninhosoldierhelmet4033]

for me it just looks like any modern porsche, very expensive, useless and built for disposable income consumerists that can't find anything else to do with their lives

[@EP-bb1rm]

If Lotus had done SUVs 20 years ago they probably wouldn't be chinese owned...

[@somebloke13]

@@EP-bb1rm God, you're a little ray of sunshine...

[@mytinplaterailway]

They'd be Malaysian owned.@@EP-bb1rm

[@GingerPiston]

It's not sad if it means Lotus becomes profitable and allows them to keep making sports cars as well.

[@Matt-go7ss]

I've seen 2 of these now on the road near me. Both times I've thought they looked exactly like a Kia.

[@gghana]

Kias look better. Not something I thought I would ever say about Lotus....

[@rare6499]

I would rather have the Kia EV6, it’s a better piece of design. It’s cheaper, and has a longer warranty!

[@lqr824]

not necessarily a slam. There are some good-looking Kias I have to say. The big problem with Kia is that even the ones with nice interiors and exteriors still have pretty bad engineering such as wind noise, ergonomic issues, etc.

[@reececollison5101]

@@lqr824in the UK Kias are right up there for reliability and dependability ratings. I understand their reputation in the US isn’t so good though

[@user-sw4bm3zb8g]

Although I couldn’t in a million years afford any of the cars that you review,you are still the best on u tube.Always interesting and informative keep up the good work.

[@peterbustin2683]

You aint missing much !

[@Justin-ee3im]

Wow, it sounds amazing! I just love that V8 roar.

[@Otto-AutoPilot]

This just further cements my declining interest and enthusiasm for cars, which for decades have been my passion. I'll sum it up by suggesting watching the into to the Cannonball Run movie with the sound turned off - it's just not the same. Without the visceral feeling of an internal combustion engine, EV's just don't do it for me. Watching some Tesla beat an ICE sports car in a drag race or whatever.... so what. I'm enjoying the last hurrah of ICE cars and will remain grateful I was alive at a time where I was able to do so. It's not about performance, it's about how they make you feel.

[@grumblur]

ICE cars CAN indeed sound fantastic, but most don't. I much prefer the silence of EVs over regular four cylinder engines, in other words something like 90 percent of what ICE cars have to offer (at least here in Europe).

[@Otto-AutoPilot]

@@grumblur I appreciate that, but my passion is based around sports cars and classic cars with glorious exhaust notes and intake roars and mechanical orchestras - not daily driver A-B cars. I don't go to car shows to see, or watch KZbin videos about boring daily drivers. Each to their own.

[@zcat1006]

Great analogy (?) referencing"with the sound off". Clever and point on!

[@goldsteinshekelberg7597]

I'm only interested in EVs. Didn't care about cars before. Especially Chinese brands shaking up the market (though it seems Lotus kinda failed). Some fans exit, other fans enter.

[@Boris-xx7dw]

Great analogy and couldn’t agree more , I was into cars from around 4 yrs old , but the cannonball run was the film that cemented it . It’s funny I see on the news the other night that Tesla were recalling them hateful things for a software update and they were interviewing the chairman of the Tampa Tesla owners club ! Now that’s a meeting I’ve got to see and how interesting and original the cars are 😂😂😂😂

[@scc7722]

I'm 68, never owned a Lotus but dreamt about them as a young man, and always admired the Chapman philosophy born from guts, passion, and imaginative thinking to make a place in the racing world: I feel really, really sorry for all the young people today who will never experience what young men of my generation experienced...bye bye the automotive industry, it was a fun ride !! Oh, and thank you Mazda for my 2011 MX5 NC, bought second-hand in 2017, affordable, reliable and keeping that smile still on MY face :)

[@jeroenstaal4907]

Hahaha, I'm a little younger at only 56 years, but I do love my 2008 Mazda mx5 Niseko Icyblue edition car!

[@samueldowney2806]

I tend to agree with the sentiment, but most young people today don't care about cars. They're no longer special or exciting and just another household appliance to them. It's just us old farts that are saddened by the end of it all. So get out in the MX5 on a nice Sunday morning somewhere quiet and enjoy while we still can :)

[@andrewmitchell2313]

@@samueldowney2806 too true.. numbers bothering to pass their tests has dropped considerably..

[@EwanM11]

The cost of owning a car as a young person has got out of hand. If you look at price, fuel and insurance unless they are living at home or have had the car gifted, forget it. Then you need somewhere to park it.

[@lukespector5550]

I understand. I'm born in 1979. A Mazda 3 Astina is my daily driver. An Aston-Martin Lagonda Series 3 V8 saloon ('87 model) is my special car. I prefer automatic movement chronograph watches to any "smartwatch" Chinese crap! Your generation WILL NOT be forgotten ever by me.

[@IDontKnowWhatImDoingDIY]

I thought you had dented the doors before I realized it was "styling"

[@Cincy3]

I'm a long time Tesla owner but I have to say I'm excited about the new Lotus EV's. The point is you don't NEED all the tech or the styling. If you are a car guy however, you WANT it. The look of these cars is outstanding. I just placed a deposit on an Emeya.

[@mrdainase]

When you first showed us the flank I thought you'd stoved the front door in!

[@jeangenie68]

You cannot use a handheld device whilst operating a vehicle, as they are dangerous due to the distraction, rightly so, too.(unless you are a police officer as they are obviously special and highly trained and can do whatever they like) but you can use a computer whilst you are driving. Amazing.

[@mytinplaterailway]

I couldn't work out where the speedo was. If it's on that screen it's not in the drivers eye line.

[@TassieLorenzo]

@@mytinplaterailway I think it's a heads-up display projected on the windscreen.

[@zcat1006]

Agree. Total crap. What's the difference? I'm old enough and smart/aware enough to forge my own path. Government is not my god. Be gone.

[@julianevans9548]

And we've no idea how many crashes are caused by people using the screens in the car because who is going to admit to that?

[@XENONEZZ2]

Agree...and then there are EV's where you have to take your eye off the road to know how fast you're going...as in....Tesla's and that new small Chinese made Volvo EV...!!...God help us..!!.

[@seanfoster1980]

Please keep doing the cost range and eMPG calculations - love it

[@james-mccartney]

With mirrors your eyes can focus to the same/similar distance as when you’re looking forward through the windscreen. With camera/screen mirrors your eyes have to adjust to focus on screens

[@milesr3]

It’s unforgivable that it has such a massive battery, weighs 2.6 tonnes and struggles to achieve 2 mi/kWh.

[@SDK2006b]

That’s the going rate for SUV’s of this size. A lower powered Range Rover weighs 2.7tons and the SVR averages 16mpg

[@scottbowers7248]

The problem is that it’s an EV

[@markgilbertson1564]

This is not a Lotus. It is an insult to their history.

[@andypicken7848]

markgilbertson1564 Its the best car Lotus have ever produced

[@scottbowers7248]

@@andypicken7848 it is the best appliance Lotus has ever produced

[@funkyfin3023]

I had a deposit on one of these from the start of the ordering process. Fortunately I was able to see it and sit in the car at the Fully Charged Live show. The only thing I liked about the car was the yellow paint and the quality of the interior, not the gaudy gold fittings. Cancelled when I got home and bought an ex demo Taycan Turismo Turbo for £40,000 off and love it. I stayed on the Eletre FB group and it has many software faults that will be fixed but why did Geely with their EV experience release it in that form? The fundamentals like poor efficiency won’t be fixed with an OTA though. Some love it but many have returned it and there are loads of cancelled orders on Autotrader. The next heavy depreciator and another reason I won’t buy a brand new EV at launch again.

[@Beer_Dad1975]

You dodged a bullet there - this is Chinese owner (Geely) mandated garbage - a cash grab project.

[@robi4387]

I drove a Ford Transit LWB the other day and it was a van, a cavernous van, a 3.5 tonne cavernous van and I loaded it full. 205 miles for £49 of diesel = mind blown! This Lotus = mind confused!

[@seabreezeuk4]

Love the honesty, as always Harry. Range aside, the looks seem so generic (almost boring?!...) although the interior seems a nice place to be.

[@GregoryTKint]

Lets save the planet with 2.6 ton EVs, larger than a Range Rover and with absolutely crap efficiency... Yup, that makes sense 🤨 It also completely dilutes the brand's heritage. Now, I am for evolution and change but somehow this doesn't feel right... Or I'm just getting old 🤷🏼‍♂️ PS: would love to know how long the batteries will last before rendering these vehicles worthless.

[@SDK2006b]

Well it’s lighter than a Range Rover and uses electricity more efficiently than an RR burns fuel, with no tail pipe emissions. It’s an improvement 😊

[@kipsome45]

Exactly right…the cognitive dissonance is something to behold.

[@EP-bb1rm]

The Chinese are world experts in batteries, and come with 8yr/100,000 mile warranties, typically. Obviously ICE cars with their pathetic warranties are hand grenades ;)

[@EP-bb1rm]

​@@SDK2006b Exactly. But at 2 miles per kWh and the bulk of it, it will possibly need circa 25k-40k miles to levelise the embedded carbon in manufacturing and use with ICE.

[@garyhill9723]

An NMC battery should retain 80% of its capacity for 1000 cycles, so at 250 miles on a charge that’s 250,000 miles and even then it should still be capable of doing 200 miles on a charge so I expect the battery will outlast the rest of the car. For LFP it’s around 300 cycles.

[@hughoxford8735]

I’d seriously much rather a review of a Renault 4.

[@rideforever]

Ha ha I think I just laughed half a mince pie over the other side of the dining room !

[@lukemallory7832]

Hear hear!

[@RussellB.]

Modern styling and car tech is just awful

[@Aaron-cb2dd]

I'd actually be very happy to watch a review of one! Musch more interesting stuff to talk about such as wheelbase being longer on one side than on other!😂

[@firefighterps2]

Amen

[@thomashall7035]

I read the title and thought the range was 900 miles- so clicked (as that would be impressive). Imagine my disappointment!

[@giuistefanjr72]

It's a very new car ,i'm absolutely sure the customers will benefit from an update to the battery optimisation software.

[@davidrowan9163]

Those wheel well vents look like accident damage. Appalling bit of design.

[@markgilbertson1564]

I thought the same. They look wrong.

[@ksm1985]

100%

[@seanfinlay7393]

Yes! I thought the front door was dented 😂

[@annkaewpradit5692]

First thing I noticed that crease in the door panel below the A pillar looks like the result of a supermarket shunt with a shopping trolley. Appalling 🤢🤢🤢

[@richardporter6201]

Add one more person who thought it hit in the side. I see no reason for this car to exist. Sad day for Lotus.

[@schwarzpm]

Harry, we need road testers and journalists to stop saying that things like LKA and automated speed restrictions are just something we need to accept and get used to. Manufacturers need to know that buyers don't want it and many will be putting off buying new cars for as long as possible because of it. Maybe then manufacturers will start to lobby governments on behalf of their customers. If this new barge is regularly incorrectly identifying speed limits and setting off a warning i would suggest it's not fit for purpose and either needs to be disabled until it can be fixed, or if that’s not allowed, the car should not be allowed to be sold until its ready.

[@MetalTrabant]

Yep, we shouldn't just turn a blind eye to these new rules. They are all there for more citizen control, in the name of almighty safety... I, for one, wouldn't really buy any new car even if I'd win the lottery. They're basically spy devices with all the cameras and connected technology,. And just generally crap technically, not made for decades, only for a few years.

[@MathsYknow]

I agree that Lane Keep Assist needs to go away - I turn it off in my company vehicle on every drive. Speed limit recognition doesn't work 100% of the time in any vehicle I've driven, so that's no reason to bar the Lotus from sale. It's a reason to limit the system to a gimmick rather than tying it to mandatory speed warnings or speed restrictors.

[@DTS7709]

Well said. I hate my Audi Q4 for the same reason. Beeps and bongs all the time and it drives me nuts. I can’t wait for the lease to end and then I’ll be buying an older car. All this intervention will almost certainly not achieve the outcome it was intended to achieve (safety) but instead just frustrate everyone buying a new car. It reminds me a lot of the stupid cookie pop-up that appears on every website (thanks to EU legislation) that everyone dismisses but everyone wastes 5 seconds on every website they visit.

[@gambiting]

Ah yes, what we need is manufacturers lobbying the governments even more. They all do that already - to the tune of hundreds of millions of euro/pounds every year, all in the name of "supposedly" what the customers want. It should be the exact opposite - car companies should not be able to lobby the governments at all.

[@gambiting]

Just want to add - I absolutely agree that if it can't accurately recognize speed limit signs then it should be pulled out from sale as it's not fit for use on public roads.

[@barrylengbl]

@harrysgarage I was all enthusiastic when evs came out .. whole still retaining my exotic italian 12 cylinders.. but the more ive learned over time ..the range .. severely restricting range in winter conditions.. the fire risks.. . The planning if u have to go any distance.. the cost of charging out.. & finally the horrendous depreciation.. no one in their right mind would actually buy one.. lease.. pcp.. in a few years time with solid state batteries..super capacitors .. will render the current crop like Betamax in video.. dinosaurs.. I'll wait ..

[@TachyonDriver]

Ah, yes.. heater controls on switches.. Here's a worthy discussion point imho: Switches versus massive touch screens in modern cars REGARDLESS of the car's motive power choice. One is driving down the road, which may have an uneven surface. One has had the car for a little while and thus is used to the controls. In my experience, i can adjust the heater switches/dials in my car without taking my eyes of the road to find the right area of a screen, especially if potholes are brought into the mix. The tactile feed back of physically operating a solid object is far better. Figher hets have had Hands On Throttle And Stick for decades, to keep the pilot's eyes out of the cockpit for safety, survival and winning the air battle 😊

[@BRMCaptChaos]

2 miles/kwh. 😮 Brand leveraging it's brand to make short term shareholders happy is a proven recipe for disaster.

[@msm4445]

It’s winter. Surely much better in Summer

[@hifiandmtb]

@@msm4445 So? You don't drive your SUV in the winter? "oh, it's not shit in the summer".

[@msm4445]

@@hifiandmtb I mean testing an electric car in the summer, and comparing it to anther car tested in the winter doesn’t have any sense. 350km of range in the winter, and on the high way is actually very good.

[@cp4512]

The old Chapman saying of “just add lightness” has not really been followed here……..😂😂😂😂

[@lewis72]

It wasn't with the Lotus Carlton either.

[@edgarbeat2851]

Another way of making a car stick to the road. Gravity and mass. I hate how much weight is in all electric cars. Thick doors, massiv dashboard, massive seats. I would love a stripped out version. With dials instead of Display panels. All utterly depressing.

[@edgarbeat2851]

I have even considered converting my old 206 estate to electric.

[@lewis72]

@@edgarbeat2851 It'd still weigh a lot as the batteries are so heavy, which means you need big brakes, strong suspension, big wheels/tyres... it all gets scaled up due to battery mass.

[@calvinjacobs7908]

Nice review Dude.

[@fomavictorevitch]

Dear Mr. Metcalfe, I was going to change my Audi e-Tron RS GT for an Eletre R these days, everything was in readiness at my dealer in the South of France. I've cancelled this order and will now wait to buy an EMEYA instead, I understand that there are substantial improvements to the battery giving it a much more interesting range than my Audi. I hope you'll test the EMEYA as soon as available to you! May I suggest that you do so in France as the charging infrastructure is quite excellent now. With sincerest regards, Baron T.

[@JP-gi2pr]

It must be a beast for wearing out tyres.

[@angela1984a]

Yeah. Look into emissions of microplastics from tyre wear. In Sweden more than half of all microplastics in nature comes from tyres, so it's probably going to be something similar in the UK and globally. So this SUV is probably going to be one of the absolute worst cars you can buy from that regard...

[@BobKenge]

Exactly And bushings !

[@EvoraGT430]

Like all SUVs

[@johnnyg1700]

And very costly!

[@bruceharkness4497]

A set of tires will run at least $2K.

[@happyhamster7712]

I feel sorry for anyone who purchased one of these now that I have watched Harry`s review. I suspect we are looking a future depreciation record holder. I do wonder how many people actually think they are buying a Lotus.

[@SDK2006b]

Markets go up and down. Just 12 months ago used cars cost more than the new ones, due to the long wait times on the new orders. Now there is a downturn, due to over supply and high interest rates on finance. All it takes is a hike in the fuel price and EV’s suddenly become more desirable. Either way, the electric sector is the fastest growing in the industry.

[@johnnyg1700]

@@SDK2006b Is that why new EV sales in the UK are down by 20% and second hand prices are tanking? Not forgetting the increasing cost of insurance due to spontaneously combusting EV fires and bans on ferries.

[@SDK2006b]

@@johnnyg1700 - think you have been watching too many anti-EV click bait videos. 1) According to the SMMT - the body reporting new UK car sales, Battery Electric vehicles sales year to date are up 27.5% in 2023, compared to 2022, and the year hasn’t finished yet. Look them up ! [Petrol up 12%, diesel down 15%] 2) EV’s are less likely to catch fire than fuel vehicles. Per 100k cars, insurance data shows a much higher % of fuel cars catch fire. The problem for EV’s is most car fires are reported as EV fires, whether they are an EV or not,. E.g. the Luton Airport carpark fire, which was started by a diesel RR. BTW - All 2nd hand car prices are currently tanking. Take a look at any new ICE car above £80k from new and the 12 month used price is low.

[@MyKharli]

I wouldn`t , theres so much money sloshing around in certain quarters that people will buy anything , the more expensive and useless the better just so they can show they can .

[@PromethSunrise]

well, no. If you watched the video this car will cost you more than a ICE car lol@@SDK2006b

[@chrisl2656]

That driver’s side “wing-mirror” screen seems to be angled to suit viewing it from somewhere near the passenger-side A-pillar, rather than from the driver’s seat…

[@laurelgreentriumph]

Well worth watching for the cameo appearance of the Morris Minor Convertible at 13.58. 🤩

[@institutmorningkiss]

Hateful thing, for many many reasons. I'd list why... but I just don't care enough. Sad. 😢 Thanks for the thoughtful review Harry

[@petersimpson5859]

I absolutely love your XJ12-C. It's just beautiful.

[@GrijzeRemmel]

Just think the range in miles are kilometers and you're spot on!

[@larrykippings]

😂😂😂

[@MrSoppysod]

My neighbour's wife works for Lotus and has just arrived here in Essex with a bright yellow one as her company car! Nice work if you can get it!

[@_Ben4810]

She'll be lucky if she can do a round-trip to Hethel on a single charge then....& let's not mention all the heavily flooded Norfolk, Suffolk & Essex roads she had to EV avoid...😉

[@JFW5358]

I see the Rolls is back at last. As for the Lotus, I agree with others, this is not a Lotus. Its size and weight are so contrary to Colin Chapman's philosophy of lightness and nimbleness.

[@grahamariss2111]

True, but Chapman had a number of RangeRovers as his daily run arounds so he was not opposed to the concept of the SUV.

[@BobKenge]

⁠@@grahamariss2111I don’t think his Rovers where heavy, probably under 1700kg… plus Rover back then were more utility focused not so much luxury items

[@BobKenge]

💯

[@EvoraGT430]

TBF they said exactly the same thing about the Cayenne. Now Porsche are an SUV maker that happens to make (great) sports cars.

[@AbrahamArthemius]

​@@grahamariss2111If it actually serves the purpose coming from its name (Sport UTILITY Vehicle) then I can get why Colin used it it, the car is honest. Much like the Land Cruiser 70 series (which is still being made today), early Land Rovers/Range Rovers still follow the utilitarian purpose, it's a no nonsense vehicle. Nowadays most modern SUVs just live on the road taking up space.

[@TypeTuber]

Thanks Harry for the review. This creation is unfortunately a waste of resources. Would have been much better for Lotus to focus on a lightweight electric sports car (that prioritizes lightweight over range)

[@danielenticknap7540]

They did.

[@nickriley1652]

Or even lightweight small family cars that drive well... Like an electric Peugeot 205... that could be cool...

[@Neojhun]

Caterham Project V is basically what Lotus should be building.

[@nickriley1652]

@@Neojhun yeah 100%

[@markchisholm2657]

Except Lotus is a 'for profit' company and that means you need to make SUVs.

[@Vikingdescendent]

Beautiful design!

[@global_nomad.]

Lets hope Lotus get enough real world testing from owners/users and get some software updates out quickly to improve the range data algorithm and then a bit more time to get the software running the battery more efficiently. Would be good to know the CdA for this and Taycan to see what might be affecting range beyond drivetrain/software efficiency. In any case still feels like the right type of car if chasing ignorant consumer demand and the wrong type of car if anyone really cares deeply about change for the better of everyone and everything.

[@andymccurley1]

How the hell can that thing be £100000? Absolutely ridiculous.

[@barkingpumpkin5693]

Saving the planet with luxury 3 ton battery powered monstrosities.

[@foxxster3565]

And you won’t see any evs in Iain Tyrrell’s classic car workshop being restored in 20 or 30 or 40 years time. We all know all evs are disposable appliances. The batteries, the screens which would not be able to be replaced by then, all the sensors etc.

[@bruceharkness4497]

It takes at least 600HP to save the planet.

[@_Ben4810]

It's beyond belief why Lotus never developed an EV Elise/Exige years ago....I can only think Lotus signed some form of non-competing exclusivity contract with Tesla not to develop their own EV using the Elise chassis/platform.

[@andy.robinson]

Oh Harry, it’s Christmas time… and you’ve brought us this depressing outlook on motoring 😢

[@MrAnwarsmith]

Lamborghini Urus - 20mpg 'magazine tested' with a 75litre tank that's about a 330 mile range. Lotus 2.16 mi/Kwh equivalent of 86mpg in a piston car, 1.62 mi/kwh is 65mpg - the Porsche mentioned at 3mi/Kwh would be 120mpg. So Lotus not that great compared to a Porsche but both way better at using energy compared to pistons.

[@juanbugatti490]

I’ve seen one in the wild today. It’s huge, and extremely ugly. It’s sad to see they’ve put a lotus badge on this monstrosity.

[@MrThrustSSC]

Seen it as well and also find it shockingly big. I generally do not like SUV´s but I think it would look good when 10-20 % smaller. I guess Lotus needs to do this to have any chance to survive.

[@bjornar9026]

It is monstrous, but not ugly. I agree with Metcalfe on its looks.

[@androo4519]

I suppose we have to think of it as a cash generator for Lotus to continue dabbling with smaller, lighter cars at Hethel.

[@nickbrown5457]

Geely seem to be one of the Chinese car makers best suited to own and help European brands to survive. Volvo has done well under Geely ownership. There is obviously a price to pay though and I think for Lotus the Eletre is the price. But at least we still have Lotus in business, making cars such as the Emira, which without Chinese investment would never have happened.

[@darrenfox9769]

I saw one recently in the flesh and was surprised how big and ungainly it looked. It just doesn’t look either premium, light or fast.

[@chillout1109]

I think certain colours make it look different. The Galloway Green, for example, makes it look really elegant, posh and expensive.

[@scottgreen6523]

Once again Harry gives a very concise opinion, And even though he a petrol head and loves the brand he still couldn’t pull the trigger ! What change have any electric cars have at £0:85p per KW at the roadside ? Looks a nice car but no thanks…..

[@user-sc1sk6do1m]

13.8 mpg, 2.6 tons and £100k and this is progress! I'll stick to my ST Fiesta thanks 40mpg, 1,2 tons and £24k.

[@Neojhun]

"13.8 mpg" Ummm WTF? This probably gets equivalent of 80 to 90 MPGe. Which is quite bad for a BEV, but still HALF the energy requirement of your Fiesta ST. Just a reminder the Lithium Ion Battery has a tiny fraction of the energy capacity compared to your petrol tank. There is limited amount of energy the car has access to thus needs to be efficient.

[@Neojhun]

OMFG Harry lies, you can not exchange Higher Unit Pricing Cost for Consumption Rate. That is not logically acceptable and mislead to assert that MPG consumption rate is higher. It's not where near 13.7MPG. That's like saying the same car consumes more MPG of Fuel because you are using more expensive fuel. This is absurd nonsense misinformation.

[@mbak7801]

@@Neojhun No it is an accurate way to reflect equivalency in an old measurement method. You need to think a bit more of how he came up with that figure.

[@user-sc1sk6do1m]

Harry did say charging at home at 30p per kWh the equivalent mpg was around 35mpg. It's fast charging at 75p per kWh at commercial charging stations that increases the costs.

[@isaachunt5799]

to fast charge this pos lotus will cost about 80p a kw. it'll do 220 miles to 110 kw's so to travel 220 miles will set you back about 100 quid in fast charging electric 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@adrianrowden8266]

Harry always seems to be amazed how much space there is in cars the size of a tank...

[@morgman43]

Despite owning a Fiat Panda, which is genuinely surprisingly spacious...and has all wheel drive.

[@HirooKoslov]

I mean, the Eletre is both longer and wider than something like a M113, and that can carry 11 fully kitted out soldiers plus crew.

[@jonnyb9604]

Harry, you compared that Eletre's range at 8°C against a much more streamlined Taycan at 12°C. I credited you with enough common sense to realise this wasn't fair. Would you really buy a Lambo Anus or an Eletre at less than half the price.

[@HereForTheStories]

Haha I said as much to my girlfriend when he said it!

[@somebloke2238]

If this was badged as a geely, I still wouldn't like it, the fact that it's badged as a lotus is a travesty

[@richardstamper5630]

You are 100% correct.

[@EvoraGT430]

TBF they said exactly the same thing about the Cayenne. Now Porsche are an SUV maker that happens to make (great) sports cars.

[@somebloke2238]

​@@EvoraGT430they said they're gonna stop making ICE cars tho

[@richardstamper5630]

Last time I heard Porsche Cayenne was designed & manufactured in the EU and was not a dubious badged Chinese car.

[@joakimsundberg7622]

Exactly @@richardstamper5630

[@christurner8062]

Thanks for so many great videos this year Harry! As for the Eletre, it looks like a lot of Audi Q8 Etron in there - I can’t see any direct references online to this but the mirrors are straight from the Etron Vorsprung and the battery technology and especially the disappointing range are just like the Etron. Having had an Etron for over a year and suffered 60% depreciation with only 20k miles I’d stay well away from these “SUV” EV’s. I went back to a Range Rover Sport Hybrid and don’t regret it for a moment!

[@jonoagustin870]

As usual Harry, a nice video of yet another upmarket SUV. An Italian neighbour had a Maserati for several years and whilst he was happy with the car, he found after 8 or so years, spares became difficult and sometimes impossible to obtain. He will never buy another Maserati and has changed to German brands! Caveat emptor!

[@rob3298]

The sooner they bring in road tax based on weight the better! Insult to the memory of Colin Chapman!

[@bertramspielt]

I saw the first of these press cars in the late summer near Frankfurt at the hotel and spoke to the two italian gentleman who drove it. They were also extremely disapointed by the range, because they wanted to drive to Milano with this car! And yes: this thing is huge. It parked beside a Transit Custom - which looked like a minivan in relation. Absolut crazy. The Lotus badge looked so wrong on this thing. But there is a little bit of the old Lotus spirit in this example: the speaker cover on the drivers door is missing... 😂 But its a great video, like every sunday! Thank you!

[@JJVernig]

I thought the same about the speaker grill, but after seeing the left side at 11:47, I am not so sure now..

[@Abe_Sheen]

Those speakers are supposed to be like that. Extremely ugly, just as the rest of the vehicle.

[@robsport]

Harry, I would be interested to hear a Lotus engineers take on the relatively poor range performance you experienced. A fascinating review thank you.

[@KevinBrown-zz2qy]

Saw this review a couple of weeks before mine arrived in Dec. Thought oh no…. Lots of lovers and haters for this vehicle. Just thought I would put it out there that I get a range of about 310 miles in range mode……no problems with range for me. Rarely drive more than 250 miles in a day. And rock solid, fun to drive and feels super safe. I think of some reasons not to buy (it is very wide and the software can be a bit ‘buggy’ at the moment!) but range isn’t one of them 🤷‍♂️ Don’t really understand how Harry’s experience of range is so different to my 6 months of driving .

[@davidcaswell3077]

I drove a Peugeot e208 recently. Felt quick despite 134bhp and extra weight of electrics etc. Despite the fact that I gave it the beans at every opportunity, I couldn’t make it do less than 4 miles per kilowatt. Driven sensibly it was closer to 5. It’s not even a dedicated EV platform. To not even match the Taycan is bordering on criminal. Plus, I think it’s pretty horrid to look at. Like the interior though.

[@AntoniusTyas]

e208 and all other small, nippy EVs are the way to go rather than monstrous 2.5-tonne pseudo offroader EV with 1000hp.

[@AlastairMaw]

Grippy 315 section tyres and 2.6 tonnes is probably twice the rolling resistance of an e208. And given the size, quite possibly nearly twice the frontal area, too. Basic physics says it'll only do about half the miles per kWh, so I'm not sure why anyone is particularly surprised.

[@kennethpole2439]

My wife's Honda Fit (Jazz), which she loves dearly, has almost as much interior volume.

[@davidevans4089]

The Jazz is one of the best cars you can buy for its price point.

[@XGEOX]

The other day I saw an odd lump of an SUV EV drive past while we sat in the pub, which I assumed to be a BYD, NIO or similar Chinese brand I wasn't that familiar with the range of. It mainly drew my eye because of the unusual green colour. Then I saw a Lotus badge on the back. Turns out it was one of these. I had no idea the Eletre existed and would never have guessed 'Lotus' without seeing the badge. After doing some research, I realize it was unfair to assume it was something like a NIO. Their ES8 is far more attractive than this.

[@cbotten106]

Those rearview side cameras seem a high price to pay in practicality for a bit of aero benefit. Range anxiety is going to be with us for a while in the BEV universe, I suspect. Keeping the charge between 15-80% doesn't leave a whole lot of capacity to play with. I like that silver color though.

[@4444aliraza]

Your grasp and explanation of battery efficiency pits you ahead of the pack Thanks as always for the thorough review Harry.

[@meetontheledge]

In that case you may consider changing packs.

[@andywright1634]

Ah yes, simplify and add lightness. When reasonable prices start at 90k, I'm still living in the 1990's

[@LWIAAE]

I owned two Lotus Elans in the early 1970s (still have the second one, a Sprint 5) and the number one appeal along with the Lotus driving experience was the beautiful, simple design. Without doubt the most elegant Lotus of the time (inside and out) was the final iteration of the +2 S130 (in blue and silver). As a fellow commenter has observed below, this car does not look like a Lotus (or represent the Chapman/Lotus efficiency), particularly one that appears to have hit a barrier on both sides. How do these cars get to production stage without someone saying stop - back to the drawing board. A total wasted opportunity to go back to basics and produce an efficient car that makes people go 'wow', that is beautiful.

[@ingeniousbraveheart]

As always a great honest review by Harry .I 100 % Guarantee poor Colin Chapman will be turning in his grave .Lotus what the Hell have you done like Sheep following all the other totally useless E Cars .all you Do is looking for some where to charge the crap .NO second hand values in a few years cost more to replace the battery pack than they are worth