Lotus launches plug-in hybrid Eletre with huge all-electric range
Lotus has revealed a plug-in hybrid version of the Eletre SUV, which boasts huge performance and the longest all-electric range of any car on sale today.
The Eletre plug-in hybrid will arrive in Europe by the end of this year.
It is especially significant because it marks the Chinese-owned brand’s return to combustion engines after initially promising to go all-electric.
The car has just launched in China, positioned as a stand-alone model to the all-electric Lotus Eletre.
As such, it has been given its own name: the For Me - a name which, in all likelihood, won’t be used in other markets.
The For Me’s powertrain uses a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine plus a synchronous electric motor on each axle.
Total power output stands at a whopping 939bhp, which shifts the SUV from 0-100kph in 3.3 seconds. It’s more powerful than the all-electric Eletre R, which is offered with a maximum of 892bhp.
It is also equipped with a huge 70kWh battery, which offers an all-electric range of 321km (220 miles), according to China’s generous CLTC test cycle. Lotus also claims a combined driving range of 1416km (880 miles).
For this plug-in hybrid model, Lotus is targeting luxury rivals, with brand CEO Feng Qingfeng suggesting the Lamborghini Urus and Ferrari Purosangue would be on its radar. Currently, only the Urus is available with a plug-in hybrid powertrain.
Fast charging is included, too, with Lotus’ 6C technology. The firm claims it can charge from 30% to 60% in just eight minutes.
Lotus has also fitted what it calls the 6D Digital Dynamic Chassis. This system incorporates an adaptive 48V anti-roll bar, which the company claims mitigates the "boat-like" sensation sometimes associated with SUVs.
Depending on which specification is chosen, the For Me weighs between 2575kg and 2625kg, which is about the same as the all-electric Eletre.
The 'X-hybrid' technology, which suggests potential for further upgrades, is comparable to the system used in the Lotus sibling brand Zeekr's 9X luxury SUV. The Zeekr 9X employs as many as three electric motors to achieve a substantial combined output of 1381bhp.
The company’s pivot to plug-in hybrid power introduces new market opportunities for the brand, particularly to wealthy customers who have been reluctant to switch to electric cars. As well as the Urus, the For Me will go up against the 717bhp Aston Martin DBX and the 748bhp BMW XM.
Lotus is adjusting its strategy following slower-than-anticipated sales of its Eletre and Emeya EVs. Despite a previous commitment to an all-electric lineup by 2028, the company now plans to introduce Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) versions of its cars.
This shift includes a PHEV version of the Emira sports car, which will be launched as part of a facelift scheduled to coincide with the Euro 7 emissions regulation change for existing models in 2027. CEO Feng Qingfeng stated that the introduction of PHEVs is intended to boost sales in regions where EV adoption has been slow, such as Italy and Saudi Arabia.
The PHEVs are also expected to improve Lotus's financial performance. The company reported an operating loss of $357 million (£267m) during the first nine months of 2025.
