Lotus built the Eletre on bespoke EV architecture but didn’t anticipate the enthusiasm for Plug-In Hybrids, so they have reversed engineered a hybrid system into their all-electric SUV, shoehorning in a petrol engine up front and significantly modifying the platform enough, to call it the X Hybrid platform.

The Eletre X as it will be known here, initially debuted in China as the Lotus For Me, so all quoted figures are for the Chinese version whilst we await European homologation figures, which may differ slightly when released.

The headline figures look very promising for a performance SUV and they certainly won’t disappoint. Power is rated at 952 PS, which Lotus claims is a first for a hybrid in Europe, with the Eletre X performing a 0-62 mph sprint in just 3.3 seconds. Impressive, given the sheer size of the car at 5.1 meters in length.

The mission, Lotus claims, was:

“founded on four core pillars:  Next Technology, Extra Power, Extreme Charging, Extended Range. The ELETRE X will embody the same purpose for European customers: electric for daily use, hybrid for limitless distance, performance everywhere.”

Lotus achieves this with their “Multi‑mode, electric‑first powertrain” which has six driving modes for considering scenarios such as speed, state of charge, or driver demand. These driving modes are:

• BEV AWD
• Parallel AWD (hybrid)
• Idle Charging
• Series Discharging (range extender)
• Series Power Generation (range extender)
• Parallel Power Generation (hybrid)

In parallel AWD mode the system will switch seamlessly between pure EV, series hybrid (range extender), and parallel hybrid (hybrid) modes for the best efficiency and general usability. Combined range is claimed to be 1,200+ km, or 745+ miles when customers use the Parallel AWD mode in their ELETRE X.

If customers are expecting the roar of an engine up-front when planting the right foot down, they may be disappointed to learn that the engine is a 203 bhp petrol generator which never directly drives the wheels, but it can be called on for sudden power demands. The engine will also sustain charge during cruising, or even charge the batteries on the move, resulting in fewer charging stops.

Combined power is a huge 952 PS and an Earth-moving 935 Nm of torque. As the state of charge drops to 20%, the ELETRE X can still deliver ~750 PS.

However, for the occasions where a rapid change is necessary, the 900V architecture enables a 20% - 80% charge in just 9 minutes at a compatible ultra-rapid charger, despite the battery capacity rated at a very usable 70 kWh. Just the battery alone can propel the car for 217 miles on a single full charge.

But, combined with its equally usable 52 litre petrol tank, and a full state of charge, visits to a petrol station or rapid charger may be very infrequent, especially if the battery is topped up at home regularly, for example. The 1,200 km combined range that Lotus quotes is based on the Chinese test cycle (CLTC), and that number may differ when tested on the European WLTP test cycle.

As you can expect from Lotus, the chassis has been fine tuned for “true Lotus dynamics” and “unmistakable Lotus handling”. To get the best from the car Lotus have fitted an active ant-roll bar, active rear spoiler, Brembo 6-piston front brakes, dual-chamber air suspension with dual-valve dampers and Lotus-developed tyres specifically made for wet and dry adhesion and handling 952 PS of power on demand.

Inside you can expect the usual levels of luxury with optional full Nappa leather, KEF Reference audio with 23 speakers and a dimming panoramic roof with 10 transparency levels. 

Whilst we await further details from Lotus, you can find out more about the all-electric Eletre here https://youtu.be/pauve0jApCU?si=_2YtjVxBd334LjNw

Lotus expects to launch the European Eletre X in June 2026 with deliveries starting in Q4.