Lotus unveils the Lotus Eletre X: an unexpected return of gasoline power
08/03/2026
The automotive industry is evolving at high speed, but sometimes manufacturers take unexpected turns.
Lotus is doing exactly that with the new Lotus Eletre X. The move is particularly surprising because not long ago the Lotus Emira was presented as the last Lotus ever to feature a combustion engine. Yet the British brand is now introducing a hybrid variant of its large electric SUV: the Eletre X.
Electric power with a gasoline backup
Until now, the Eletre existed exclusively as a fully electric SUV. The new Eletre X changes that formula by introducing a plug-in hybrid architecture. Under the floor sits a 70 kWh battery pack, which is smaller than the 107 kWh battery found in the fully electric Eletre versions. Despite this, electric propulsion remains at the core of the system.
The electric motors together deliver an impressive 952 horsepower, enabling the SUV to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.3 seconds. Complementing the electric system is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 204 hp. This engine can either generate electricity for the battery or send power directly to the wheels.
According to Lotus, under ideal conditions the combustion engine can generate around 25 kWh of energy per hour, effectively replenishing the battery while driving.
Hypercar-level charging speeds
Lotus refers to the technology behind the Eletre X as its X-Hybrid architecture. Thanks to a 900-volt electrical system, the SUV supports extremely fast charging. Lotus claims the battery can be charged from 20 to 80 percent in roughly nine minutes.
On electric power alone, the Eletre X offers around 350 kilometers of driving range. When combined with the 52-liter fuel tank, the total range increases to more than 1,200 kilometers. The performance numbers are equally impressive. Beyond the 0–100 km/h time of 3.3 seconds, the SUV is equipped with high-end hardware designed to maintain Lotus’ performance DNA, including:
active anti-roll bars
adaptive air suspension
powerful Brembo braking system
Despite weighing roughly 2.5 tons, Lotus aims to preserve a sporty driving experience.
A strategic move for Europe
The introduction of the Eletre X also has a clear strategic dimension. Because the vehicle is a plug-in hybrid rather than a fully electric car, it avoids the European Union’s import tariffs applied to EVs built in China.
This makes the Eletre X a particularly attractive model for Lotus in Europe. The brand (now owned by Chinese automotive group Geely) can remain competitive in pricing despite the increasing political and economic tensions surrounding Chinese-built electric vehicles. The European launch of the Eletre X is expected in June 2026, with deliveries likely beginning in autumn 2026.
AutoNext Take: Lotus is redefining its direction
The arrival of the Eletre X says a lot about the current state of the automotive industry. On one hand, many manufacturers continue pushing forward with fully electric innovation, from extreme charging speeds to advanced battery technologies, topics we recently covered in earlier AutoNext articles.
On the other hand, several brands are leaving room for hybrid solutions, as the global transition to fully electric mobility is progressing more slowly than many initially predicted. The Eletre X perfectly illustrates that middle ground. At the same time, the model remains controversial among Lotus enthusiasts. The brand was originally built around the philosophy of founder Colin Chapman: “Simplify, then add lightness.”
A 2.5-ton plug-in hybrid SUV producing nearly 1,000 horsepower clearly sits at the opposite end of that philosophy. Yet in today’s automotive reality, Lotus appears to be pursuing a new strategy: combining extreme performance with advanced technology and luxury, even if that means evolving beyond its traditional lightweight sports car identity.
Whether purists embrace this direction is another question entirely. But one thing is certain: the Lotus Eletre X proves that the electrification story is far from black and white.
