Lotus Eletre EV range gets third version, priced at RM598,000

It’s a good time to buy imported CBU cars in Malaysia if they are electrically-powered. The government is allowing them to be imported and sold duty-free as an incentive to get Malaysians to switch to EV models.

The tax-free benefit (usually only given to Royalty and top foreign diplomats, besides those in Langkawi and Labuan) is especially useful for the upper end of the market.

What would be very expensive EV models are now more ‘affordable’ (relatively speaking) and not surprisingly, the new vehicle market this year has been buoyant even though there were forecasts of a slowdown.

Third version for EV range
Lotus Cars Malaysia is one of the companies that is making use of the duty-free benefit for its Eletre fully electric hyper SUV. The company has been importing the model in two versions – Eletre S and Eletre R – and now adds a third EV as an entry-level option.

This is the Eletre, priced from RM598,800 (without insurance), and for the lower price than the other two versions, you obviously do not get as many features and equipment as standard. Like the Eletre S and Eletre R, the Eletre can be customized although not with the full array of options that Lotus has.

Similar powertrain as Eletre S
The powertrain of the Eletre is similar to that of the Eletre S (which costs RM100,000 more). It has a single-speed system with 603 bhp/710 Nm output with power supplied by a 112 kWh battery. Claimed 0 to 100 km/h time is 4.5 seconds, with a top speed of 258 km/h.

Recharging can be done with DC fast-chargers that have up to 350 kW supply, with a 10% – 80% ‘refill’ said to be possible in 20 minutes. A fully charged battery pack can provide a driving range of up to 600 kms – but that is also dependent on how you drive.

Those who want to enjoy the full power of the Eletre would have to accept a trade-off in range, just as with cars with combustion engines.

Differences from the other two Eletres
While it retains all the driving dynamics and performance attributes of the Eletre S and Eletre R, the Eletre’s visual differences can be seen in the 20-inch 5-spoke aero alloy wheels with 4-piston brake calipers. Customers have the option of upgrading this to the 22-inch Grey Diamond Turned wheels and 6-piston calipers for an extra RM30,000.

Other upgrades available under an Optimization Pack include side cameras and an active rear spoiler. The latter can optimise aerodynamics to help improve the Eletre’s range

New colours
Two new colours are being introduced for the Eletre – Akoya White and Cinnabar Red. These join the other choices of Kaimu Grey, Solar Yellow, Natron Red, Galloway Green, Stellar Black and Blossom Grey.

As with the other Eletre versions, there is a 5-year/ 150,000km factory warranty on the vehicle, with the battery pack having a separate warranty of 8 years/200,000 kms.

Lotus Emeya recharged in 14 minutes (10% – 80%)