Lotus has begun delivering its all-electric Eletre Hyper-SUV to customers in China, featuring optional digital rearview mirrors. This pioneering move makes Lotus the first brand in China to offer this feature, aiming to enhance safety and driving efficiency.
On July 21, Lotus commenced the delivery of the Eletre electric vehicles (EVs) equipped with digital rearview mirrors at its manufacturing facility in Wuhan, Hubei province, central China.
Introduced on October 26, 2022, the Eletre Hyper-SUV comes in two versions in China – Eletre S+ and Eletre R+, starting at RMB 828,000 ($115,200) and RMB 1.028 million, respectively.
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Earlier this year, on January 4, Lotus announced the availability of optional digital rearview mirrors at a price of RMB 16,000 yuan. The company had set July 1, 2023, as the start date for deliveries of the Eletre with this feature, aligning with the implementation of Chinese regulations allowing automakers to use digital rearview mirrors.
In contrast to conventional mirrors, the digital rearview mirrors on the Eletre Hyper-SUV utilize cameras, contributing to a sleeker design, reduced wind resistance, and potentially extending the vehicle’s driving range. These cameras are equipped with water-repellent materials and additional features like blind spot monitoring and door-opening warnings, bolstering safety aspects.
The real-time information from the cameras is displayed on a 1280*720 resolution LCD screen inside the vehicle, significantly expanding the lateral field of view by 50 percent, according to Lotus. The mirrors support 15 levels of brightness adjustment and benefit from advanced image algorithms, promising improved visual effects. Lotus asserts that the digital mirrors provide a brightness level equivalent to daytime during nighttime driving.
Geely’s acquisition of Lotus in 2017, with a 51 percent ownership stake, has facilitated further advancements in automotive technology. Additionally, Lotus established Wuhan Lotus Technology in China in August 2021, with investment from Nio Capital.
See also: The Electric Lotus Eletreâs Advanced LiDARs May Enable Level 4 Autonomy
The Lotus Eletre represents an ultra-luxury SUV that stands out in the Chinese market due to its powerful performance, boasting acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds for the Eletre S+ and 2.95 seconds for the Eletre R+. Equipped with a standard battery pack of 112 kWh capacity, it offers a CLTC range of 650 km and 560 km for the respective versions.
The Eletre supports 800V high-voltage fast charging across its range, enabling quick charging times of as little as 20 minutes from 10 percent to 80 percent at fast-charging stations, ensuring convenience for long-distance travel.
Lotus Cars’ introduction of optional digital rearview mirrors for the Eletre Hyper-SUV demonstrates the company’s commitment to innovative automotive technology. As the first brand in China to offer this feature, Lotus aims to provide its customers with enhanced safety, efficiency, and driving experiences.
