THROTTLE WIDE & SAY R(some text hidden)

By Jonathan Crouch

Ten Second Review word count: 34

How do you make a 2.6-tonne luxury SUV handle like a Lotus, while at the same time giving it as much as 905bhp? It's a conundrum encapsulated by this car, the Lotus Eletre R.

Background word count: 83

There's never been a mainstream Lotus with more power than the Eletra R. But there's never been a heavier Lotus model either. Which might lead you to doubt the wisdom of giving this top version of the brand's electric SUV as much as 905bhp. But what a confection is in prospect. And you don't have to have it as an SUV. All the same engineering is available in the brand's identically-platformed Emeya fastback GT. But it's the top Eletra that's our focus here.

Driving Experience word count: 272

Lotus claims the Eletra has been engineered to deliver everything you would expect from the brand, in terms of ride and handling, steering and driver engagement. There's a clever three- in-one electric motor system integrating motor, controller and reducer into one package. And thanks to copious use of carbon fibre and aluminium, this car is light by EV standards too. Just one reason why the company is able to claim that this Eletra R is the world's fastest dual motor production SUV. This model has combined motor output of 905bhp accessed (unusually in an EV) by a dual-speed transmission which allows for faster acceleration. The 62mph sprint is dispatched in just 2.95s en route to 165mph. Plus there's lowered suspension, race-style damper settings and anti-roll control. The 'R' also comes with a 'Lotus Dynamic Handling Pack' (optional on other models) which includes an active anti-roll system, active rear-wheel steering and an extra 'Track' driving mode. The standard drive settings are 'Tour', 'Range', 'Sport', 'Individual' and 'Off Road'. These are controlled via a right hand steering wheel paddle and alter not only throttle response and steering feel but also responses from the Continuous Damping Control adaptive dampers. Suspension feel though, is always on the firm side. The drive modes also alter the ride height of the 2-Chamber air suspension, which lowers itself in 'Sport' and 'Range' (as part of the active aerodynamics) but raises in 'Off Road' (which also offers an even loftier 'Highest' setting). That, along with the standard Hill Descent Control system, might make surprisingly gnarly tracks passable, provided you were brave enough to attempt them in a six-figure luxury Lotus.