New Hybrid SUV from Lotus
The company Lotus, which previously announced a transition exclusively to electric vehicles, is changing its plans. The automaker has introduced its first hybrid off-roader, created on the basis of the fully electric Eletre model range.
Key facts about the new model:
Familiar Design with New Content
Official images published by the Chinese ministry confirm that the hybrid version is not a completely new development. It is a modification of the existing Eletre, adapted for the new powertrain. Externally, the car is almost indistinguishable from the electric original, except for a small “For-Me” badge on the rear of the body.
This small emblem is the only external hint that this Eletre uses an internal combustion engine in addition to batteries.
Technical Features of the Hybrid System
Details of the technical part are still being revealed cautiously. It is known that it is based on a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 279 horsepower. It works in tandem with an electric drive system, the specifications of which have not yet been disclosed.
The total power of the hybrid system, according to sources, will be 952 hp. As for the electric component, the electric range depends on the configuration and ranges from 345 to 355 kilometers according to the CLTC cycle.
In plug-in hybrid mode, fuel consumption is extremely low — only 0.06-0.07 liters per 100 km according to the WLTC standard. However, after the battery is depleted and switching to the internal combustion engine, consumption increases to 6.0-6.10 liters per 100 km.
The dimensions of the hybrid off-roader are identical to the electric version: length — 5103 mm, width — 2019 mm, height — 1636 mm. The car’s weight ranges from 2575 to 2625 kilograms depending on the configuration.
Plans for Markets and Future Models
The hybrid version called Eletre For-Me will debut in China but will not be limited to this market. Lotus has confirmed that the new plug-in hybrid lineup will also be available in Europe.
The next model after the hybrid Eletre will likely be a plug-in version of the Emeya sedan, which is built on the same platform. The company has also confirmed the development of a third model — a more compact SUV, whose launch is scheduled for 2027.
All new plug-in hybrids from Lotus will use a 900-volt electric architecture, which, among other things, provides support for ultra-fast charging. According to the manufacturer, charging from 10 to 80 percent will take just ten minutes.
The step back to hybrid technologies from electric vehicles demonstrates the flexibility of modern automakers’ strategies. This indicates that the transition to new types of propulsion is a more complex process than it might seem and requires consideration of the diversity of market conditions and infrastructure limitations in different regions of the world. The presented car combines high environmental performance in the city with the possibility of long journeys, making it an interesting option for buyers who are not yet ready to fully switch to electric.