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BMW M will provide a wide selection of hybrid and fully electric sport utility vehicles soon. The BMW XM will be the first of many replacement vehicles, including the X5 M and the X6 M. In addition, there’s the BMW iX M60 and whatever other iterations the Bavarians care to produce. The brand-new Lotus Eletre electric SUV, set to debut in 2024, will be a formidable foe that all of these vehicles will have to face. The Lotus Eletre will debut with three distinct models, each with its own 112 kWh battery pack. When fully loaded, the base model Eletre will have 602 hp and 523 lb-ft of torque. Lotus claims that its WLTP-rated range will be 373 miles. But there will also be an Eletre R, which has a monstrous 905 hp and 726 lb-ft of torque.
Despite having 605 hp, Lotus claims the cars will only reach 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. The BMW iX M60 generates similar power but accelerates to 60 mph more quickly. However, it is reported that the Eletre R can accelerate to 60 miles per hour in under 2.9 seconds. Other more implausible claims state that the Eletre, with its lidar sensors and high levels of autonomy, will be able to complete a lap of the Nürburgring independently. That’s implausible and ridiculous, but it would be hilarious if it ever happened.
As a bonus, it has a nice aesthetic. I like the profile, but the front is a little too sloppy, making it look like a Lamborghini Urus. This vehicle exudes power and grace with a low profile, solid build, stylish lines, and minimal overhangs. Its roofline is steeply slanted, reducing interior volume and rear headroom but giving it a more imposing appearance than the standard performance SUV. Lotus did a fantastic job of making it look like a sports car and not a flashy crossover.
The Lotus Eletra, set to make its debut after the BMW iX, will offer comparable power and performance at a more affordable price. So it will be a lot less expensive than the BMW XM. When the Eletra finally hits the market, it will be a formidable rival for BMW’s X5 M and X6 M, potentially prompting the Bavarians to reevaluate their approach to the two models. Whether or not BMW intended to go electric with them before viewing the Lotus Eletre is unknown.
