Lotus News

McLaren W1 First Drive: Ferocious Hypercar Transcends the Track

You know things are getting serious when McLaren rolls-out the ‘1’ suffix. The origin story is, of course, the very first road car McLaren ever built, the F1. Designed by visionary Formula 1 aerodynamicist and engineer Gordon Murray, it arrived in 1992 and rendered all other supercars obsolete. The tiny, lightweight F1 embraced carbon-fibre material technology, adopted a radical centre seat driving position with two passengers set back and either side and was powered by a 6.1-litre V12 engine from BMW that might as well have been passed down directly from the Gods. Game-changer? That doesn’t even come close to describing its impact, even if at the time sales didn’t come easy… The P1 was very different. Rather than a unique side project from the Formula 1 team, it was instead a statement piece for McLaren Automotive, a new road car division still in its infancy. It arrived in 2013 and was a wild-eyed showstopper. It traded the long-legged gait and supple suspension of the F1 for a weaponized hybrid system capable of delivering 903bhp and huge blue flames from its drainpipe exhaust. In Race mode, it lowered by 2-inches and its massive concave rear wing extended into the sky. The P1 was all about aerodynamic downforce, crazed acceleration and a snorting, angry soundtrack that mixed venomous twin-turbocharged V8 with the manic whirr of electric motors. Not so much a car as a force of nature. And now there’s this: The W1. It’s a true successor to the P1 with a similar brief and, on the face of it, it evolves rather than radically reinvents McLaren’s vision for the ultimate hypercar. This is not a criticism. How could it be when the result is this dramatic and has such staggering, other-worldly potential? The W1 has 1258bhp delivered to the rear wheels. It’s capable of 0-124 mph in 5.8-seconds, the quarter mile in 9.6-seconds at 167 mph and produces 2205lbs of downforce at 174 mph. The active aerodynamics – particularly a rear wing that extends way out beyond the rear of the car – are pure performance art and deliver massive aerodynamic efficiency. The result, aside from looking extremely cool, is that the W1 is McLaren’s fastest road car around a racetrack. Ever. Their benchmark circuit is the breath-taking Handling Track at the Nardo proving ground in southern Italy, where the W1 beats their previous benchmark, the flyweight McLaren Senna, by three seconds per lap. Or “a lifetime” as they call it in racing. Maybe two lifetimes! Core to the W1’s performance is the new ‘Aerocell’ carbon fibre tub. With integrated seats and a raised footwell to allow for inboard pushrod-operated front suspension – which in turn gives air a clean path to the huge underbody diffuser – it’s light, stiff, space efficient and has been instrumental in McLaren realising a full ground-effect concept. Just like last year’s F1 cars, which were the fastest ever made. There is also an active front wing and the aforementioned complex rear wing dubbed ‘Active Long Tail’. All of which is very admirable. But the ‘anhedral’ or gullwing doors and the fantastically shirnked-wrapped feel to the minimalist, highly-focussed interior are a pretty good side effect. The W1 feels special. Those fixed seats are perhaps a shade more upright than expected, and the driving position is less obviously racecar than, for example, the Aston Martin Valhalla or Ferrari F80. However, once you’ve adjusted the pedals (they move on a slider) and the delicate, slim-rimmed and alcantara-trimmed steering wheel, there’s an overwhelming sense of purpose. The cabin is so tightly tailored and imparts a sense of lightness and agility before you so much as start the all-new 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, which makes 916bhp all on its own and revs to 9200rpm. Reach up to a roof-mounted control panel to find the starter button. Maybe this fighter plane trope is a little corny, but somehow you feel thrilled rather than manipulated. The W1 has a sense of humour as well as all that motorsport-derived sophistication. There’s a short delay, but when the engine does fire it’s instant – as the high-powered hybrid system negates the need for an old-school starter motor. A sharp flare of revs tells you that this engine is hyper-responsive and angry. On some deep level your brain and body have been sent all the signals required to prepare for something new and intense. Ahead of us, an empty Mugello racetrack, so press and hold the blue button next to the red starter to select Race mode. The centre display graphic shows the W1’s transformation in real time as it lowers by 37mm at the front and 17mm at the rear whilst simultaneously undocking all that active aero goodness. Race mode is not road legal and is geo-locked. You can show your friends and neighbours the aero dance, but it won’t allow you to select a gear to actually drive unless you’re at a circuit. Incidentally, the rocker switches either side of the display binnacle allow further options now: Toggle up the Handling control on the left for Race+ (for F1-spec super smooth tracks) or stick to Race for gnarlier ones. On the right toggle select ‘GP’ for sustained performance over a stint or ‘Sprint’ to unleash all 1258bhp for a time attack. There’s also a DRS and Boost function on the steering wheel. But I guarantee you won’t have the mental capacity to use them… Exit the pitlane, pin the throttle and W1 takes maybe a millisecond or two to gather its might (the gearing stretches to around 60mph in first, nearly 100mph in second, primarily to aid traction), but then lunges at the first turn with incredible ferocity. It instantly feels light, almost like inertia is no longer a thing. McLaren really does prize lightweight engineering, and at 3084lbs (dry) the W1 has a 278lbs advantage over the Ferrari F80. Plus, Ferrari uses figures for cars fitted with every single carbon fibre option. In reality, the gap is probably wider still. The impression of agility and stunning control continues as the track is unravelled at startling pace. The electric motor mounted to the side of the new 8-speed dual-clutch transmission is good for 342bhp and 324lb ft and it boosts any low rev lethargy the new flat-plane crank V8 might have (spoiler alert: It doesn’t appear to have any), so the W1 just feels massively, almost impossibly powerful at any revs. Even so, there’s real reward for wringing it out to 9200rpm and the power curve feels superheated but organic, too. In Race mode the steering – still hydraulically powered – has less assistance and it is noticeably heavier than other McLarens. However, that resistance is welcome as it gives you something to push against and imparts so much information about the front grip level. New Pirelli Trofeo RS tyres with a bigger front footprint than P1 or Senna really help. The front-end feels incredibly secure and the rear-axle follows with perfectly-aligned precision. The whole car feels super-stiff, completely locked into the surface and inspires confidence, but there’s an inherent agility and adjustability that means you’re quickly confident to push at its limits and really impose yourself on the chassis. It’s such a complex car but the driving experience is intuitive, and the driver feels a key contributor rather than just amazed (or terrified) observer, holding on for dear life. Every dynamic ingredient really is shockingly effective and yet has a subtlety and lightness of touch. From that delicious steering to the incredible brakes, the W1 just feels so mission-focussed, so hooked-up. Only the new 8-speed gearbox is a slightly disappointment. It’s fast and punchy, but after the scintillating energy of the Ferrari F80 ’box it feels competent rather than inspired. Other quibbles – it’s okay to quibble when the starting price is $2.1-million before tax and destination charge. Well, that new twin-turbocharged V8 sounds tightly wound and aggressive but if you have a P1 tucked in the garage you’ll miss the snorting, Darth Vader-style soundscape and all the drama that goes with it. Ferrari does this better, too. The F80 sounds deathly dull from the outside but is a riot of turbochargers, electric motors and all sorts of mechanical fury within the cockpit. Even so, the W1 is wildly entertaining on track, and the rear-drive configuration makes it more of a challenge and more satisfying than the F80 when chasing lap times or just sliding around for fun. In the Ferrari, you must second-guess what the front e-axle might do, whereas in the W1 it’s all on you. There are plenty of tools to help, including the ingenious Variable Drift Control, but somehow the W1 is more heroic. Or at least fools you into feeling more heroic – which is surely the point! On the road? Nimble, loaded with feel and sublime response. The ride is noticeably tougher than, say, a 750S but the control is ramped-up too, and with a bit more speed the whole car finds a delicious rhythm. Sport mode for the drivetrain brings some nice turbo whooshes and chirps, but the noise remains high-quality rather than extreme excitement. It is perhaps the one area the W1 feels just a little too tame. Of course, there’s nothing tame about the raw performance… which is genuinely shocking and literally hurts your neck muscles after a few hours. How McLaren has given the W1 such immense traction through just two driven wheels is beyond me. So, is it worthy of that ‘1’? I think so. Perhaps we won’t be talking about $25-million auction results for the W1 in 30 years from now, as we are for the F1. Perhaps it doesn’t quite have the amazing presence and jaw-dropping star quality of the simply gorgeous P1. But it is such an intense experience and the way it marries stunning track performance with delicate poise and entertainment on normal roads is something akin to magic. Maybe not ‘the one’ but definitely a searing, outrageous addition to McLaren’s fiercest family line. Just 399 W1’s will be built and they’re all sold. I’m not surprised at all. View All McLarens For Sale Images: McLaren Automotive

Lotus Debuts New PHEV “X Hybrid” Technology With 939HP Eletre X

By Tyler Rampersaud – March 06, 2026

Lotus Announces New Plug-In Hybrid Eletre X

The all-electric Lotus Eletre SUV marked a major turning point for the historic brand. With a rich heritage and roots firmly planted in the world of motorsport, Lotus went from creating lightweight sports cars that enjoyed a cult following to reimagining its lineup with luxury electric models, a new chapter for its sports cars with the Emira, and a hypercar in the form of the Evija. However, the Lotus Eletre was perhaps the most unique of all of them, as it not only represented the new chapter of Lotus as an electric luxury car manufacturer, but also became the first Lotus SUV. Now, the Eletre itself is entering a new and unprecedented chapter as it heralds groundbreaking new plug-in hybrid technology that Lotus calls “X Hybrid.” The new variant of the Eletre, the Lotus Eletre X, boasts an impressive 939 horsepower and an amazing driving range of well over 700 miles. The system already made its debut in China, where the SUV using the technology is dubbed the Lotus “FOR ME,” but the Lotus Eletre X will be the first European model to use the X Hybrid technology. The 150 kW generator is at the core of the X Hybrid system, and it’s able to replenish the battery in motion, sustain charge during cruising, and help the vehicle meet sudden power demands. The powertrain is an electric-first system, with six different modes: BEV AWD, Parallel AWD, Idle Charging, Series Discharging, Series Power Generation, and Parallel Power Generation. The system is able to shift between these modes, whether it’s using pure electric power, or if the generator is charging the battery or powering the vehicle, depending on the scenario. <- Gallery -> With 900V/6C architecture, ultra-fast charging allows the vehicle to get from 20 to 80 percent in as little as 9 minutes. Even at 20 percent battery, however, the system is able to deliver as much as 550 kW of power, with the full combined system output being 939 horsepower and 690 lb/ft of torque, allowing the vehicle to get from 0-60 mph in less than 3.3 seconds. With hybrid technology, the driving range can exceed 700 miles, with a purely electric range of over 200 miles, and a 70-kWh battery, along with a 14-gallon fuel tank, provides the energy. The vehicle offers exciting performance-oriented features like a 48V active anti-roll bar, an active rear spoiler, 6-piston front brakes from Brembo, air suspension with dampers that can react in as little as two milliseconds, and tires specifically designed to maximize the vehicle’s performance potential. An optional Nappa leather interior, audio from KEF, and a panoramic glass roof with dimming and 10 transparency levels offer elevated, high-tech luxury. Combining the best of electric power and hybrid efficiency in a luxurious, performance-oriented package, the new Lotus Eletre X is a major milestone in Lotus’ journey towards electrification. Deliveries of the European model are expected to take place in Q4 2026 after the model launches in June 2026 for the European market. View All Lotus Eletre For Sale Image Source: Lotus

A sleek Eletre Hyper SUV, reminiscent of Lotus design, is parked outside a building adorned with "Science Museum" signs.

By Tyler Rampersaud – October 24, 2024

Lotus Adds The Eletre Hyper SUV To Uber Green London Fleet

Lotus is offering London the rideshare of its life. Undergoing a renaissance as a manufacturer, Lotus is rapidly electrifying its lineup, introducing the Evija hypercar, the Eletre luxury hyper SUV, and the Emeya grand tourer. Now, Uber riders in London are getting the chance to experience the new Lotus for themselves, as through the end of November, Lotus has added its Eletre hyper SUV to the Uber Green fleet for London riders. Already, 30% of Uber’s rideshare miles in London are fully electric. With the addition of the Lotus Eletre to the Uber Green fleet, London riders will be challenged to save the most emissions by opting for Uber Green rides by November 30. The rider who saves the most emissions, which can be tracked using the recently launched in-app Emissions Savings tool, will win free Uber Green trips for a decade. Uber Green was launched in central London in 2021, allowing riders to ride emissions-free for the same price as an UberX, reportedly saving 55,000 tons of carbon emissions in the city. With the Lotus Eletre now part of the Uber Green fleet, sustainable ride-sharing became much more exciting. View all Lotus Eletres For Sale Image Source: Lotus

10030 R Carbon F3Q Comp03 RS 10pot FinalArt

By Tyler Rampersaud – September 13, 2024

Lotus Introduces The New Ultra-Luxury $230K Eletre Carbon...

Lotus aims higher with a new SUV flagship. The Lotus Eeltre was not only the second all-electric Lotus model to be announced, but more prominently, it is the very first SUV to come from the iconic sports car manufacturer. With immense electric power and luxurious appointments, the Eletre represents a big step in the electric luxury revolution of Lotus, and a new flagship ultra-luxury trim level for the Eletre launched for North America takes it even further: the new Lotus Eletre Carbon. As its name suggests, the centerpiece of the new Lotus Eletre Carbon is carbon fiber, a material that has risen in prominence within the automotive industry to represent engineering excellence, as well as the highest echelon of performance and luxury alike. Its lightweight nature and impressive strength have made it the material of choice for motorsport and the premier league of performance cars, and the new Eletre Carbon is an ode to Lotus’ carbon fiber craftsmanship. The new Lotus Eletre Carbon introduces new leather interior options, featuring Bridge of Weir leather in black, light grey, and dark brown, and a unique quilting design in the upholstery highlights the ultra-luxury trim. Additional options include 10-piston carbon brakes and a satin black paint color. Being the new ultra-luxury flagship version of the Lotus Eletre, the new Lotus Eletre Carbon is available for North American customers to place an order today, starting at an MSRP of $229,900. Customers are expected to receive their examples starting in Q1 2025. The vehicle boasts 905 horsepower and gets from 0-60 in just 2.95 seconds. In addition, the Lotus Eletre Carbon boasts a driving range of up to 280 miles and can charge in as little as 18 minutes. Its luxury features include massage modes, soft-closing doors, an intelligent panoramic glass roof, a KEF sound system utilizing the brand’s Uni-Q speaker design and Uni-Core subwoofer enclosure for the first time in an in-car audio system, and more. Eight colors are available for the Lotus Eletre Carbon: Stellar Black, Kaimu Grey, Solar Yellow, Akoya White, Galloway Green, Blossom Grey, Cinnabar Red, and Stardust Satin. In addition, Lotus is also launching its new Lotus Chapman Bespoke luxury service in North America, allowing customers to turn their Lotus examples into highly-customized, unique luxury creations. With the combination of its new bespoke service launching in North America and the introduction of a stunning new pinnacle trim level for its luxury high-performance electric SUV, the new Lotus Eletre Carbon and Lotus Chapman Bespoke are continuing to revolutionize the Lotus brand in North America. View All Lotus Eletres For Sale Image Source: Lotus

By Tyler Rampersaud – April 17, 2024

The New Lotus Eletre Is Now Available To Order In The US

The first Lotus SUV is available to order here in the States. Lotus has spent the past few years embarking on an incredible journey towards radically transforming its presence in the automotive world, going from a manufacturer of cult-favorite nimble sports cars to a trailblazing, pioneering luxury performance EV powerhouse. It started with the incredible Evija, the first all-electric Lotus model and one of the most powerful cars in the world, and continued with the Emira, which promises to be the glorious final combustion engine-powered Lotus and the Eletre, the first SUV from Lotus, a manufacturer that most automotive enthusiasts would have previously never dreamed of seeing an SUV from. However, despite being an SUV, the Lotus Eletre aims to capture the spirit of the Lotus enthusiasts know and love, with high performance, agility, and dynamics, while introducing a new era chock-full of luxury, high-tech, and futuristic electric power in spades. In its flagship trim, the Eletre R, it’s capable of 905 horsepower and 727 lb/ft of torque, with a 0-60 time of roughly 2.9 seconds, and a top speed of 165 mph, with optional carbon ceramic brakes providing much-needed stopping power. Meanwhile, the new luxury performance electric SUV also features a whole host of drive modes for various terrains, luxurious interior finishes, state-of-the-art computing power with NVIDIA DRIVE Orin chips, 34 sensors, 12 cameras, 4 lidars, and the capability to receive over-the-air updates. Adding to the luxury experience are features like a KEF sound system, and a 15.1-inch OLED touchscreen with the Lotus HyperOS powering the infotainment system. The new Eletre comes in seven colors: Kaimu Grey, Stellar Black, Akoya White, Solar Yellow, Blossom Grey, Red, and Galloway Green. In North America, there are two available trim levels: Eletre, starting at $107,000, and Eletre R, starting at $145,000. Orders for the new Lotus Eletre are available to be placed today in the United States, and according to Lotus, customers can expect to receive their cars in the fourth quarter of this year. Lotus’s incredible transformation as a luxury performance EV manufacturer is about to truly take place before our eyes and on the road. View All Lotus Eletres For Sale

By Tyler Rampersaud – August 21, 2023

The Lotus Eletre Makes North American Debut At Monterey C...

Ushering in a new era for the iconic brand, the Lotus Eletre makes its North American debut at Monterey Car Week.

By Tyler Rampersaud – July 14, 2023

UK Customers Drove The New Lotus Eletre At Goodwood

The all-electric Lotus Eletre hyper-SUV impresses in its inaugural UK test drives on Goodwood's historic circuit.

By Edward Jones – March 30, 2022

10 Coolest Facts About the Lotus Eletre Electric SUV

1. For starters, the new Lotus Eletre is the very first five-door production car from the automaker. It's also Lotus' first model that's not a sports car and their first lifestyle EV. VIDEO REVIEW: Lotus Evora GT 2. Another first is found on the outside of the Eletre where the deployable LIDAR sensors can be found, a first for an automobile. This system also points to the Eletre's autonomous capabilities. You can see one of the hidden LIDAR sensors right above the wheel. 3. Being a new electric vehicle means that the Eletre has a battery that needs serious cooling. To help cool the battery, the Eletre's active grille and its triangular petals open up, allowing fresh air to cool the battery, motors, and front brakes. 4. What's in a name? Eletre means 'Coming to Life' in some Eastern European countries, an appropriate name considering the new Lotus points to a new life and era for Lotus. 5. With electric power comes great acceleration. For the new Lotus SUV? It joins the "Two Second Club" as the Eletre's 0 to 60 mph time comes in at under 3 seconds. That's not bad for a five-door SUV. 6. Another "quick" aspect regarding the new Eletre is its charge time. Lotus notes that it can charge to 248 miles of range in 20 minutes with a 350kW charger. 7. The centerpiece for the Eletre's cabin is its 15.1-linch touchscreen where the vehicle's controls can be accessed. But, when not being used, the 15.1-inch infotainment center will fold flat and out of sight. 8. A blade of light that runs across the cabin, below the instrument panel, will change color depending on certain situations like the temperature is changed, a call is coming in, or even to signify the battery's charge status. 9. When you press the button on the key or smartphone app, the Eletre's grille "breathes," exterior lights run through a sequence and the illuminated door handles deploy. 10. Last, but not least, the electric Eletre SUV is the first of three new Lotus lifestyle EVs that will be released in the next four years. Expect more exciting reveals coming from the iconic automaker. All Lotus Cars For Sale

By Edward Jones – March 29, 2022

Lotus Eletre Revealed: An All-New, All-Electric Hyper SUV

Say hello to the world's first "Hyper SUV." The new Lotus Eletre has been unveiled as the hyper SUV that has been teased under the Type 132 moniker. Lotus notes that the name can be translated to "coming to life" in some Eastern European languages. Why this name? Considering Lotus is entering a new and electric era, it's a perfect fit. Additionally, the name is a bit close to "electric" which is also appropriate as the Eletre is an all-electric model. For the build, the new Lotus Eletre utilizes the new Electric Premium Architecture (EPA). This new platform is extraordinarily versatile and can various battery sizes, motors, layout, and driving technologies. Lotus says that EPA will be the foundation for a new range of premium performance electric vehicles. For power, the new Lotus Eletre's horsepower output starts at 600 hp with electric motors powering each individual axle. This allows the Eletre's 0 to 60 mph time to be under 3 seconds and for a top speed of 161 mph. That's incredibly quick for the Lotus SUV which also that provides ample room for four people. Of course, electric power brings range into the mix. Lotus states that the Eletre's battery has a capacity of over 100 kWh, enough for a range of 373 miles. In terms of charging, a 350 kW charge time of 20 minutes can equal 248 miles. For style, the new Lotus Eletre's overall design DNA is very similar to that of the Evija and Emira. One of the most obvious design cues that has been carried over is are the air channels that allow air to flow gracefully through and over the vehicle. When inside, the Eletre offers up a technologically-advanced cabin where multiple screens can be found. In front of the driver is a slim screen that displays only the key information so that clutter is reduced. Standing as the highlight of the cabin is a 15.1-inch OLED touchscreen where the Eletre's infotainment center can be accessed. The Lotus Eletre's price has yet to be revealed, but we do know that deliveries will begin in 2023 in China, the UK and Europe. See All Lotus For Sale

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