Lotus launches powerful plug-in hybrid Eletre X

Neil Goodwin is an in-house content writer at Select covering all things automotive. A former national newspaper journalist and PR consultant, he loves his motorcycles as much as he loves his cars….

Published 10 March, 2026, 09:26 GMT

New plug-in hybrid variant of the Lotus Eletre

The Eletre X will take you from ‘fear to freedom’, says Lotus

Power of 952 PS

0-62mph in 3.3 seconds

EV range of up to 217 miles

Seriously rapid charging; 20-80% in 9 mins

UK prices still to be revealed

Lotus has revealed a new plug-in hybrid variant of its Eletre SUV which moves the needle when it comes to PHEV tech.

Up until now, the Eletre has only been available to lease with a fully electric powertrain.

But the Eletre X is now preparing to enter the market, with the official European launch slated for June 2026.

Here’s everything you need to know:

What’s the EV driving range of the Lotus Eletre X?

The Eletre X really is a game-changer when it comes to what’s possible with a plug-in hybrid powertrain.

The British firm says it’s the first PHEV system in Europe capable of delivering 952 PS paired with an EV driving range of up to 217 miles on a single charge.

To put that figure into perspective, it’s pretty much DOUBLE what even the leggiest PHEVs in the UK can achieve, with cars like the Chery Tiggo 9 and Omoda 9 able to travel around 90 miles between trips to the plug.

It’s made possible by a massive 70 kWh battery – bigger than you get in many fully electric cars – and a 150 kW generator.

They feed two motors, one on the front and one on the rear, for reassuring all-wheel drive.

Is the plug-in hybrid Lotus Eletre X more powerful than the electric Eletre?

Yes, the PHEV Eletre X actually gets more outright power than the fully-electric Eletre.

The plug-in hybrid Eletre X boasts 952 PS and 935 Nm.

The Eletre EV, on the other hand, makes do with a max system output of 918 PS.

However, despite those on-paper figures, it’s the Eletre EV that’s the quickest to accelerate, covering the first 0-62mph in 2.95 seconds.

The Eletre X PHEV lags slightly behind (but only just), doing 0-62mph in 3.3 seconds, which is still supercar quick.

Lotus tells us that even with a 20% battery state-of-charge, the system can deliver up to 748 PS, ‘supporting demanding scenarios such as mountain‑pass overtakes’.

The Eletre X will also switch between pure EV, series hybrid, and parallel hybrid operation to ensure optimum performance, efficiency and real‑world range.

How fast can the Lotus Eletre X charge?

The Lotus Eletre X is underpinned by next-gen 900V architecture, which allows a 20-80% in just 9 minutes.

That, says Lotus, sets a ‘new benchmark for electric‑first performance mobility’.

Full details of charging speeds and UK specs will be revealed in due course.

What else can I expect with a Lotus Eletre X lease?

Again, we’re still waiting for full UK details to be announced, but Lotus promises an active rear spoiler for additional downforce, Brembo front brakes, dual-chamber air suspension with dual-valve dampers, and Lotus‑developed tyres.

You can also enjoy a panoramic sunroof, a KEF Reference sound system, and the optional Nappa leather interior.

When it comes to the Lotus Eletre X’s main rivals, you’re looking at the Porsche Cayenne Coupe Turbo E-Hybrid as well as the Range Rover with the P550e powertrain.

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