Type 132 - Lotus Eletre

[MJON]

Just found this site with article re 132?

https://topelectricsuv.com/lotus/2022-lotus-electric-suv-details/

[DarrylV8]

51 minutes ago, exeterjeep said:

Think we do........

Yep but we won’t 

@MJONthanks for link to type 132 article very informative 

Edited January 8, 2022 by DarrylV8
Added additional comment

[eUKenGB]

Is it just me struggling to grasp the concept of an "SUV-coupe".

I know manufacturers like to keep things secret, but I'm not sure in this case it will be serving in Lotus' best interests to do so. There are several of us here interested in what it looks like they will be producing, but there is considerable doubt about what each of the projected 3 models will be like, in terms of size etc. Much confusion stemming from different interpretations of exactly what 'E' and 'D' segment/class actually mean. Many reports seem to assume that 'E' means bigger, but as far as I can determine, that is not actually the case.

What Lotus needs to be concerned about is that many potential customers cannot wait until 2025 to find out exactly how the 3 models will compare and in which case, will very possibly/likely simply go and buy something else.

Seems to me that Lotus could avoid this situation by providing some clear information about the cars and expected timelines. Only that way can any of us really decide whether it's worth the wait. Those that decide it is, will be saved as Lotus customers, those that do not wouldn't be buying one any way, so no loss.

I just think all this secrecy is counter productive, certainly these days as there are so many new EVs in the process of being announced and/or launched. I think a manufacturer has to proactively promote their products ahead of time and secure the 'desire to purchase' from the customer, rather than leave them in the dark and hence more likely to simply drift off and buy one from a different manufacturer.

[MJON]

@eUKenGB You make a good point here, but then some are slating Lotus for showing Emira to soon as then having to wait for more info, spec, price availability etc. Guess there’s no right or wrong answer 🙄

[Bravo73]

5 hours ago, eUKenGB said:

Is it just me struggling to grasp the concept of an "SUV-coupe".

BMW started it with the X6 back in 2007. Now they all do it. 

And if you think that is bad, how about the ‘convertible SUV’? I’m looking at you, Evoque. 🤮

[exeterjeep]

3 minutes ago, Bravo73 said:

I’m looking at you, Evoque. 

Did not sell well at all, funny discussing with the sales staff about the usual buyer profile, when they had 1 in the showroom a few years ago.

[Il fenomino]

On 08/01/2022 at 13:42, MJON said:

Just found this site with article re 132?

https://topelectricsuv.com/lotus/2022-lotus-electric-suv-details/

The article says the type 133 would be an SUV Coupé, which is wrong. Not sure how credible that source ist. The other information is intresting. 

[hedgerley]

This☝️. 133 has been described as a 4 door sedan, hence my opening post on the 133 thread.

[hedgerley]

New issue of CAR. 6 page spread, reckoned to be very close to the real thing. But they would say that wouldn't they. Certainly makes for an exciting read 👍

[LotusLeftLotusRight]

Isn’t that just an Evija on stilts?

[hedgerley]

As it happens, that's how it's described. "Imagine a more muscular Evija inspired body on 23 inch wheels and you won't be too far from the mark" according to the design team insiders...

[Bravo73]

8 minutes ago, hedgerley said:

That has got to be one of the most ridiculous doodles that I have seen recently. A real Hotwheels/YTS effort. 

[C8RKH]

I have to agree. Bloody hideous and the front angle shot is just a real mess.

[Frickin_idiot]

I’ll wait to see the final product, these renderings are never that accurate

[exeterjeep]

17 minutes ago, Frickin_idiot said:

hese renderings are never that accurate

surely can't be even close....

and the large through aero/holes like the Evija would lose a load of space from a usable boot. A sports non utility vehicle.

[Frickin_idiot]

If the Lotus team at Hq are designing it then I am sure it’ll look great

[KusaKusa]

Yeah I'm sure there were a lot of liberties taken for the rendering.  But I wouldn't be surprised if the front is pretty accurate.  It's reminiscent of the Lambo Urus, and it seems from the article, that's something Lotus is looking to tackle in terms of performance.  The article also mentions the porosity they love to talk about with Evija, so maybe there will be dramatic vents but probably not exactly what the Evija has because of intruding on passenger width space and trunk space.

The article is really nice overall.  Here are some things I liked:

• There are great tech and typical automotive features on display:  active anti-roll bars (optional), air suspension, rear wheel steering, Lidar, and a 5G router.  They even say "we'll have ultra-competitive -- if not next-generation -- levels of technology".  Having those advanced features shows Lotus can keep up with R&D of big manufacturers, likely with how Volvo/Polestar/Lotus have been investing in engineers and then tech like self-driving.  I'm hopeful that they're making a great investment in the software space and having a lot in-house, and they're hopefully seeing the returns in agile development.  That's a huge advantage as traditional auto manufacturers are struggling to apply Silicon Valley-like dev cycles to remain cutting edge with their huge workforces. 
• 0-62 MPH in under 3 seconds is a "reasonable target" to be able to hit.  In an SUV package, that'll be up there with some of the top tier performers like the Lucid Air sedan (0-60 in 2.5s).  I was a bit worried about Lotus' ability to be top tier in electrical performance because they may not have access to the specialized workforce around Tesla/Lucid/Rivian (all below 3s 0-60 MPH times) and don't have the major resources available like Porsche.  Some other manufacturers may be struggling in this regard, like Mercedes AMG version of the EQS only hits 0-60 MPH in 3.4s.

There's a general feeling that Lotus is putting all the cards down for this and are excited for it to be a strong product.  It seems compelling at a next level with its performance, tech, and new porosity and mid-engine like cab-forward design, like the Urus was next-step compelling over other fancy SUVs with its seemingly overly aggressive styling.  I mean this could be the next Porsche Cayenne opportunity, and they're aware of it.  The Lotus factory in Wuhan was supposed to only partially create Lotus vehicles, but they changed within the last 1-2 years to be all Lotus vehicles; I wonder if Geely's confidence from Type 132 drove this change.  Here's to hoping, and I'm looking forward to seeing what Lotus is capable of!

[eUKenGB]

Well I think it looks great. There, I've said it. However 2 things come to mind. First of all this is pure guesswork by a magazine and secondly, there's no way anything that extreme would get made. Manufacturers are far too conservative and anyway as pointed out, some of the apparent 'features' would be too impractical to be possible.

However, as far as I can estimate, it seems that the 132 is intended to be an SUV and the 134 a Crossover. The above fanciful speculation surely is more representative of a Crossover than an SUV is it not?

[exeterjeep]

found this...says 2023 reveal, expecting this year???

 

[DarrylV8]

Yep definitely expecting to see this year.

[exeterjeep]

https://media.lotuscars.com/en/models/type-132-test.html says...

In Spring 2021 Lotus will give a world premiere to a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV), the first in a range of lifestyle vehicles that will go on sale in all major markets around the world. Each will be pure electric and reinvent the core DNA of Lotus in a thrilling new way, delivering the very best in beautiful design, class-leading ride and handling, advanced materials and optimised motorsport-inspired aerodynamics.

In the run-up to the Guangzhou Auto Show in November, Lotus released four short films previewing some of the exciting features of the SUV. Called Breathe, See, Stretch and Awaken, they revealed a tantalising glimpse of what is to come. You can see full details below.

At the moment this exciting new model is known only by its Lotus Type number – the Type 132. In the coming weeks we will reveal its model name and further details about its design, performance and features. I

[eUKenGB]

12 minutes ago, exeterjeep said:

In Spring 2021 Lotus will give a world premiere to a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV)

Damn. Missed it. 🙄

[exeterjeep]

Did not notice, (it was on an html with the word test in it.)....that I assume they just got a bit delayed or a typo. Perhaps blame covid.

[KusaKusa]

Does the infotainment screen look different from the teasers to you guys?  The spyshots has a landscape oriented screen, but the teasers look more like a portrait screen.

[hedgerley]

Screen looks similar to me, almost squarish on both shots. I'd be more concerned about the steering wheel boss - Lynk & Co - with the tape hardly disguising it all. Lotus wheel not available yet, or are we looking at a future Lynk & Co SUV and not the 132? What a game this is......