With the dawn of the new year 2024, consumer interest in new car launches is soaring. Among the various genres, the response to electric SUVs is particularly enthusiastic. According to data from Kaizyu Data Research Institute, the proportion of SUV sales among newly registered passenger cars in South Korea last year reached 60%, with interest in electric models consistently rising.
This year, premium luxury brands are set to release new electric SUVs in the domestic market. The first model to be introduced is the second-generation Porsche Macan, which was recently unveiled in Singapore.
Unlike the previous generation, this model is available only in an EV version, drawing significant attention. Equipped with Volkswagen Group’s new electric platform, PPE, it combines spaciousness with optimized design. The WLTP range for the Macan 4 Electric is 613 km, while the Macan Turbo Electric offers 591 km. Its drag coefficient is a mere 0.25 Cd.
Mercedes-Benz is set to introduce the first electric SUV of its Maybach brand in the first half of this year. The Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV will build on the already sold EQS SUV, integrating even more luxurious materials and a powerful powertrain to target the ultra-luxury electric SUV market. Furthermore, in the second half of the year, they will also unveil the EV version of the G-Class, accelerating the electrification of their mid-to-large SUV lineup.
Volvo Cars is expected to launch the premium large electric SUV EX90 in the domestic market within this year. This electric model, similar in size to the XC90, not only offers ample living space but also showcases level 3 autonomous driving capabilities through LiDAR technology. Additionally, the Polestar 3, which shares the same platform as the EX90, will debut in the country, aiming to challenge the high-performance luxury electric SUV market with a sporty design and driving performance.
The Lotus Eletra is also among the top contenders this year. Last September, it made its debut in the South Korean market at the Peaches Dwon in Seongsu-dong, as the first electric SUV from the Lotus brand, with a formal launch expected in the second half of the year.
The Eletra stands out with its generous length of over 5.1m and an advanced EV platform featuring an 800V voltage system. Particularly notable are the autonomous driving technologies, which are unparalleled in this year’s new models. Its body is equipped with innovative sensors capable of implementing level 4 autonomous driving. For instance, it features 4 LiDARs, 6 radars, and 7 HD cameras, all ready for 100% autonomous driving. Additionally, despite its grand physique, its drag coefficient is only 0.26 Cd, emphasizing Lotus’s motorsport DNA.
The interior embodies the direction that Lotus envisions for electric SUVs. For instance, its 15.1-inch OLED display features a remarkably thin profile of just 10mm. The use of premium leather that provides a soft, luxurious feel, alongside intricately crafted metal accents, is extraordinary. Notably, the KEF premium surround audio system, with 23 speakers and an output of 2,160W, delivers an exceptional auditory experience. Lotus is the first car brand to collaborate with the British KEF.
The Eletra is powered by two powertrains. The Eletra S features a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system with a maximum output of 612 horsepower. The top-of-the-line Eletra R boasts a colossal output of 918 horsepower and impressive specs of 100.4 kg·m of torque. The 0 to 100 km/h acceleration, commonly referred to as ‘0-100’, is achieved in just 4.5 seconds for the Eletra S and a staggering 2.95 seconds for the Eletra R. This is why it deserves the title of ‘hyper electric SUV’. The battery capacity is 112 kWh, with a WLTP range of 600 km for the Eletra S and 490 km for the Eletra R. Its 350kW ultra-fast charging capability allows it to charge from 10% to 80% in just 20 minutes.
In addition to these high-performance electric SUVs, this year also promises an exciting showdown among four-door electric GT cars with powerful driving performance.
Porsche plans to unveil a facelift version of its electric sedan, the Taycan, this year. While detailed performance specifications have yet to be revealed, improvements in battery durability compared to previous versions are anticipated. Recently, Porsche recorded a remarkable lap time of 7 minutes and 7.55 seconds at the Nürburgring Nordschleife in Germany for the new Taycan prototype, surpassing previous records.
Lotus’s first four-door hyper GT car, Emeya, is also generating significant interest. It combines Lotus’s unique engineering expertise gained over 75 years, the motorsport DNA blossomed in F1, and an innovative electrified powertrain into a new-generation model. The Emeya is expected to play a prominent role alongside the Eletra in driving Lotus’s electrification transition.
The Emeya’s driving performance can easily be described as the ‘best four-door GT car of its time’ and ‘the fastest four-door sedan in the world’. With an output in the 900-horsepower range, it reaches 0-100 km/h acceleration in just 2.8 seconds. Additionally, it features an electronically controlled air suspension that detects road conditions up to 1,000 times per second, ensuring a ride quality that is befitting a luxury brand.
Like the Eletra, it supports 350kW fast charging, allowing for a 10-80% battery charge in just 18 minutes. Moreover, the interior boasts not only premium leather but also environmentally sustainable materials like PVD aluminum and ultra-fabric PU, along with a stunningly clear 15.1-inch OLED display.
Lee Sang-jin daedusj@autodiary.kr