The Car Manufacturer That Renounced Gas Engines Is Creating Its Most Powerful Model Yet | Carscoops

      Lotus's new plug-in hybrids will debut with a powerful version of the Eletre.

      This model will first be released in China in early 2026, followed by Europe.

      The hybrid can recharge from 10 to 80 percent in just ten minutes.

      Five years ago, Lotus committed to becoming fully electric, introducing several battery-powered vehicles such as the Eletre, Emeya, and Evija. However, like many other manufacturers reexamining their strategies, the British automaker appears unable to completely abandon hybrids.

      The initial compromise is slated to be a plug-in hybrid version of the Eletre, merging the company's electric goals with some practicality from combustion engines. About a year ago, Lotus provided a sneak peek of its new hybrid system but has withheld further details until now.

      During the latest earnings call, CEO Feng Qingfeng revealed that the first plug-in hybrid will deliver 912 horsepower. This model is set to hit Chinese showrooms in the first quarter of 2026, with European deliveries to follow later that same year.

      Lotus has announced plans to introduce three plug-in hybrids. If the initial model is a new take on the Eletre, the second could potentially be a hybrid variant of the Emeya sedan.

      As for the third vehicle, it has been confirmed that it will be a smaller SUV positioned beneath the Eletre, with a launch scheduled for 2027, currently referred to as the Vision X.

      Lotus has branded its new powertrain as the ‘Hyper Hybrid,’ utilizing a 900-volt electrical platform designed for ultra-fast charging capabilities. This system enables the battery to recharge from 10 to 80 percent in merely ten minutes when connected to appropriate charging infrastructure.

      The company has also mentioned that the combustion engine will act as a generator for “on-the-drive” charging, allowing the battery to recharge while the vehicle is in motion.

      Although Lotus has not shared specifics about the combustion engine to be used, it is logical to assume it will be a turbocharged four-cylinder, as suggested by Autocar.

      Feng elaborated that the inclusion of hybrid models expands the company’s market presence, especially in areas where the adoption of fully electric vehicles has been slower.

      “The introduction of hybrid models provides more options for luxury vehicle consumers and will assist us in entering wider markets, including regions with slower EV adoption such as Italy, Spain, and Saudi Arabia,” he stated.

      In addition to matching the performance of its entirely electric models, Lotus's plug-in hybrids will offer significantly extended driving ranges. While the electric Eletre has a range of between 254 and 373 miles (409 to 600 km), the vehicles featuring the Hyper Hybrid system will be capable of traveling up to 684 miles (1,100 km) between refueling.