Just recently, Lotus introduced to Europe's ordering procedures the 2023 Eletre super-EV crossover with up to 905 zero-emission ponies. The family has three members in the trim range, two powertrain options, and also just one body style – that of a high-performance luxury full-size crossover SUV.
Naturally, since it is based on the parent Geely Group's Electric Premium Architecture (EPA), the flagship Eletre CUV needs less than three seconds to reach 62 mph (100 kph). It's also obviously a shared platform – so the modular system also underpins models like the upcoming Lotus Type 133, Zeekr 01, Polestar 3 and 5, or the Zeekr 009. But what if Lotus decided to make a smaller and more affordable EV crossover model?
If that's not necessarily a question for the real world, then the imaginative realm of digital car content creators will surely make up for that. Meet Theottle, a virtual artist who shares his complex making-of videos on social media, who probably took notice of Lotus' launch of the Eletre in Europe and decided that the sporty British automaker could easily complement Gelly's compact EV offerings that also include three zero-emissions models wrapped around the Chinese company's newly developed Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA) platform. Those three are the Smart #1, Zeekr X, and – above all – the worldwide-acclaimed Volvo EX30!
But instead of touching the latter's Scandinavian credentials, the pixel master decided his latest design exercise would be better served "using the Zeekr X for shape and size reference, clothed over with the sheet metal and surfacing of (the larger) Lotus Eletre." In the end, after lots of fast-paced CGI action, the result is a smaller sibling tentatively called Lotus 'Eletrod.' In case you don't like the name, you better take a look at the design, too, as this is going to be as hard to swallow. However, if you thought the Lotus Eletre was a godsend in terms of styling, there are big chances this wishful-thinking project would also be just as palatable.
As for the potential powertrain use, the modular Sustainable Experience Architecture platform developed by Geely Holding has lots of options to choose from, including a base rear motor plus RWD and high-performance dual or triple motor all-wheel drive setups. For sure, though, it wouldn't reach as high as the Eletre, but instead, it could top the 422-hp Volvo EX30, which is already pretty fast with a zero to 62 mph (100 kph) sprint in 3.6 seconds and a top speed of 112 mph (180 kph). So, what do you think – should we give this smaller and nimbler Lotus 'Eletrod' our CGI hall pass, or is the Eletre already more than enough when it comes to quirky-designed all-electric crossover SUVs and it first needs to show its worth before anyone even thinks about awarding it with siblings?
Aurel has aimed high all his life (literally, at 16 he was flying gliders all by himself) so in 2006 he switched careers and got hired as a writer at his favorite magazine. Since then, his work has been published both by print and online outlets, most recently right here, on autoevolution. Full profile
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