Lotus has confirmed a new direction for its flagship SUV. Instead of going fully electric, the brand has introduced a new electrified powertrain called X-hybrid, debuting in the Lotus Eletre X. The new system is designed to appeal to buyers who are not fully convinced by pure EVs. It blends electric drive with a petrol-powered generator, while still delivering the sort of performance figures Lotus likes to talk about.
Hybrid setup with electric focus
At the heart of the Eletre X is a hybrid system that combines a 70kWh battery pack with two electric motors, one on each axle. Together they produce a combined output of 939bhp and around 936Nm of torque. The combustion engine does not directly power the wheels most of the time. Instead, a 2-litre turbo petrol engine acts primarily as an on-board generator producing about 201bhp to recharge the battery. Performance remains firmly in super SUV territory. Lotus claims the Eletre X can accelerate from 0 to 100 kmph in around 3.3 seconds and reach 200kmph in just over 10 seconds.
Long range and fast charging
Despite the performance figures, Lotus says efficiency has been a key focus. With a full battery and fuel tank, the Eletre X is claimed to offer more than 1,200km of total driving range. On electric power alone, the SUV is expected to travel around 350km. The battery can also be charged using conventional EV charging, with Lotus claiming a 30 to 80 per cent charge could take as little as eight minutes under ideal conditions. The system is designed to operate in multiple modes. Drivers can run it as a pure EV, as a series hybrid where the engine charges the battery, or as a parallel hybrid where both the engine and the motors work together.
Chassis and hardware remain familiar
Underneath, the Eletre X keeps much of the hardware seen on existing Eletre models. That includes a 48-volt active anti-roll system, dual chamber air suspension and dual valve dampers. Stopping power comes from large 412mm brake discs with six-piston callipers at the front. Lotus has not yet confirmed the final kerb weight, but the smaller battery pack compared to the standard Eletre should offset the addition of the generator system.
Global rollout planned
The Eletre X will first go on sale in China later this month, with European markets expected to follow later in the year. UK deliveries are planned for 2027. The new hybrid powertrain has been jointly developed by Lotus teams in China and the UK, and it is likely that a version of this system will appear in other Lotus models in the future.
