Lotus Cars spent the last few years telling the world it would be an all-electric brand. Then reality kicked the door down as EV sales slowed, hybrids started heating up, and suddenly, Lotus is rethinking its entire roadmap. The result is this: a plug-in hybrid Eletre SUV with a turbo four-cylinder under the hood and nearly 1,000 horsepower on tap. It still looks like the same electric Eletre you’ve seen before, but the vibe is completely different. Lotus already shifted gears on its EV-only future and is giving buyers something different, which we think might be a pretty good move.
The Hybrid Lotus Needs For A Recalibration
Plus Eletre PHEV “For Me”China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT)
Lotus took the Eletre’s massive electric architecture and paired it with a 2.0-liter turbo engine, making 279 horsepower. The electric side of the drivetrain is still under wraps, but early filings and industry reports peg total output at up to 952 horsepower. That puts it above the Eletre R, which tops out at 905. When we spoke with Massimiliano Trantini, President and CEO of Lotus Americas, last year, he said, “Lotus has always been a brand focused on pioneering, and since we believe this is what is going to happen in the future, we will anticipate the future.” If a PHEV SUV is what they need, then we are not at all surprised it has some impressive numbers across the board.
Spec
Hybrid Eletre (For-Me)
Length
201 in
Width
79.4 in
Height
64.4 in
Wheelbase
118 in
Curb Weight
5,676–5,787 lbs
Engine
2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder
Engine Output
279 hp
Est. Combined Output
952 hp (unconfirmed)
Drivetrain
Plug-in hybrid AWD
Charging Architecture
900-volt fast charging
Acceleration estimates land around the three-second range to 62 mph, which would make this the quickest Lotus SUV yet. And just like the EV, the hybrid version keeps the same coupe-SUV shape, active aero pieces, and retractable LiDAR pod that hides when you don’t need it and pops up when you do.
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Lotus Calls This New Eletre A “Super Hybrid”
Plus Eletre PHEV “For Me” SUV front 3/4 viewChina’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT)
Lotus saw global sales drop 40% this year and watched China, its biggest market, cool off fast. Toss in tariffs, slower EV demand, and production delays, and the company had no choice but to shift gears. The fix very well could be hybrids with big performance and bigger range.
The Eletre hybrid is the first step in what Lotus is calling its “super hybrid” lineup, pairing ultra-fast charging with internal combustion power. Battery choices should land around 50 kWh or 70 kWh, and early Chinese filings suggest total driving range will exceed 620 miles. The company is also leaning hard into a 900-volt high-voltage system shared with the upcoming hybrid Emeya and the next smaller SUV arriving in 2027.
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Same Eletre Look, New Energy Underneath
Plus Eletre PHEV “For Me” SUV back endChina’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT)
Visually, it’s almost identical to the EV. Same dramatic nose. Same aero surfaces. Same light signature. The only giveaway is a tiny badge on the rear hatch that hints that it isn’t all electric anymore. Inside, expect the same giant displays, tech-forward cabin, and a surprising amount of space for something that still calls itself a performance SUV. Weight climbs to between 5,676 and 5,787 pounds depending on trim, but the performance numbers suggest that won’t matter much.
The one thing Lotus is likely to struggle with on the Eletre PHEV is still going to be the price. The MSPR is already around $107,000 to $229,900 for the electric vehicle, a major talking point. It’s fast, fun, and has all the modern amenities one might expect, but the steep price has held it back. If the Eletre Plug-In Hybrid can undercut that, it might help. Lotus hasn’t shared pricing or U.S. availability yet, but expect those details to land soon.
Source: China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT)
