Certainly! Lotus, the iconic British sports car manufacturer, is poised to make its debut in the Indian market on November 9, 2023. This expansion is made possible through a partnership with Exclusive Motors of New Delhi, which will not only serve as the distributor for the country but will also host the first Lotus showroom, expected to open in New Delhi early next year.
Here's a detailed look at what we know so far about Lotus' entry into the Indian market:
Initial Offerings
While further details about Lotus' plans in India will be unveiled in the coming days, it's anticipated that the company will introduce two models as its first offerings. These are likely to be the petrol-powered Emira sports car and the all-electric Eletre SUV. Notably, both of these models will be brought in as completely built units (CBUs), which might result in higher price tags due to import duties and taxes.
Lotus Emira
The Emira embodies the essence of Lotus - a lightweight sports car engineered for agility and driving pleasure rather than sheer power or comfort and it can be seen as a spiritual successor to legendary Lotus models like Elise, Exige, Esprit, and Elan. The improved degree of fit and finish, as well as an array of comfort features, set the Emira apart from its predecessors. It offers practical elements like door pockets, cup holders, digital instruments, and a central touchscreen adding a degree of luxury not typically associated with Lotus cars.
Indian buyers will have the choice of two powertrains for the Emira: a 365hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine sourced from AMG and a 406hp 3.5-liter V6 engine from Toyota. While the latter is anticipated to have a 6-speed gearbox the former will be mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. Lotus may not offer the 6-speed manual option available in international markets.
Lotus Eletre
The Eletre represents Lotus' foray into the SUV segment catering to the global demand for sport utility vehicles and this modern and striking SUV boasts a spacious and bold cabin. Despite using a combination of high-strength steel and aluminum, the Eletre is heavier than traditional Lotus cars, weighing in at 2,520kg. However, its design, with a drag coefficient of 0.26, allows it to achieve a maximum range of 600km on a single electric charge.
The all-electric Eletre will be available in three variants: Eletre (611hp), Eletre S (611hp), and Eletre R (918hp). All three models share the same 109kWh battery, mounted under the floor and utilizing an 800V charging system with a 350kW charging unit.
Price Expectations
While precise pricing details will be confirmed later, it is expected that the Lotus Emira and Eletre will be positioned in the range of Rs 2.5-3.1 crore (ex-showroom).
As Lotus gears up for its Indian market entry, enthusiasts and luxury car buyers can look forward to a blend of British heritage and advanced technology in the form of these sporty and innovative vehicles. It is a significant development for the Indian automotive market and promises to add a touch of British motoring elegance to the country.