The idea of a Lotus 
crossover might make some fans of the British sports car maker a little squeamish, but if Lotus is going to stick around, it’s going to need a higher-volume model with more mass-market appeal. Lotus CEO Jean-Mark Gales has already revealed that the automaker is currently developing a compact crossover, which is still at least four years away from production, and now we’ve managed to put together a rendering of what the Lotus CUV might look like.
Here’s what is known about the Lotus crossover so far: it will be built in China, its name will start with “E” (Perhaps the Elope? Who knows?) and it will have emphasis on performance by being the lightest and fastest in its segment. Initially, the CUV will launch in China before eventually expanding to Europe and Japan, but there is still no word as to whether customers in the U.S. will ever have access to this vehicle. It would be hard to imagine Lotus not bringing a crossover to one of the largest markets for crossovers and SUVs, but it would require extra engineering (read: weight) to meet U.S. vehicle regulations.
Updated 09/28/2015: In an interview with Automobilemag, Lotus boss Jean-Marc Gales confirmed that the future SUV will also be offered on the U.S. market. The company is currently hardly working on the design of the SUV, because it wants to be “a car that doesn’t currently exist,” and while it will initially be offered in China, the SUV will surely be exported.
Continue reading to learn more about Lotus’ future SUV.
Exterior
There is no telling what the final product will look like, but it’s a good bet it will look nothing like the Lotus APX Concept that debuted at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show. Our rendering shows what Lotus’ current design language looks like on a bigger scale, including a mix of hard edges and soft, sexy lines.
Interior
The interior of the Lotus crossover will surely focus on the driver and front passenger, but the two-box design will open up plenty of room for rear occupants and some cargo. As we recently learned from Aston Martin, the high-riding Lotus could appeal to more women buyers with its added utility and versatility.
Drivetrain
Note: Lotus Exige LF1 engine pictured.
This is the area that will make or break the Lotus crossover, so expect Lotus to go all-out in developing the drivetrain and chassis. Powering the crossover, Lotus could still use one or both of the Toyota-sourced powerplants used in other Lotus cars, like the 1.6-liter four-cylinder or the 3.5-liter V-6 – both available with or without superchargers. Sticking with the tried-and-true design of its current model lineup, rather than giving the crossover a high-powered engine, Lotus will focus on a high power-to-weight ratio by making this one of the lightest crossovers in its segment, weighing about 440 pounds (200 kg) less than its rivals.
After its initial Chinese debut, a diesel engine could also be included for the Europe and Japan markets, but the big performance advantage could be an optional hybrid-based four-wheel drive that uses the engine to power the front wheels and motors to drive the rear.
Prices
Compact performance crossovers are on the rise, but expect this Lotus to cost considerably more due to its lower volume. In all likelihood, the Lotus crossover will be the highest-priced offering in the Lotus lineup, perhaps starting above the $80,000 Evora, so it wouldn’t be hard to imagine the higher performance and well-equipped versions of this crossover commanding more than $100,000.
Competition
Porsche Macan
The Porsche Macan will undoubtedly be the primary target of the Lotus crossover, with power outputs ranging from 340 horsepower up to 400. If you look at starting prices, the current Macan ranges from $52,600 up to $73,900, but, again, Porsche cranks out almost 30,000 Macans globally, so it has better economy of scale.
Read our full review of the Porsche Macan here.
Range Rover Evoque SVR
Land Rover is also rumored to be working on a performance crossover that would be positioned against the Lotus. Although it has yet to be confirmed, the Range Rover Evoque SVR would be given a performance makeover by Jaguar Land Rover’s Special Vehicle Operations team, which could bump engine output up to around the 300 horsepower mark.
Read our full review of the Range Rover Evoque SVR here.
Conclusion
Crossovers and SUVs might be a soul-crushing proposition to the enthusiasts of any high-performance brand, but they are crucial to improving sales in global markets that crave space and utility. Just ask BMW and Porsche. Now with Aston Martin, Bentley and other high-lux automakers getting in on the SUV/CUV market, this is a perfect opportunity for Lotus to enter the market with a small CUV that exhibits the same lightweight characteristics and excellent handling capabilities of its past and present offerings.
Updated History
Updated 07/06/2015: In a recent interview with Top Gear, Lotus boss Jean-Marc Gales offered a few more details on the upcoming Lotus SUV. The model should arrive on the market in 2022 and was described as “the most agile and fastest of that class on a track.” When it comes about design, he said that the company is currently studying two different designs, but for sure the SUV will have “a modern Lotus nose, and a hint of the 1974 four-seat Elite on the side.”