After the company scaled back its plans for an all-electric offering by 2028, lotus is ready to introduce a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version of its current all-electric vehicle Electr SUV next year.
“We plan to introduce two more hybrid models based on our new architecture. The first hybrid model is scheduled to launch in China in the first quarter of next year, with a special technology preview event in January. A European release will follow,” Feng Qingfeng, CEO of Lotus Technology, said during the company’s November 24 conference call.
The first of these two cars – almost certainly a “hyper-hybrid” version of the Eletre – will produce 952 hp (710 kW) from its high-performance PHEV powertrain, while also featuring adaptive air suspension and a 48-volt active anti-roll bar for “ultimate handling,” according to Mr. Feng.
“The introduction of hybrid models will provide luxury vehicle buyers with more choice and will help us expand into broader markets, including regions with slower electric vehicle adoption such as Italy, Spain and Saudi Arabia,” Mr. Feng said on the call.
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Other big claims about the Chinese-owned British brand’s upcoming PHEV technology include the 900V electrical architecture, which is said to offer charging speeds “very similar to a battery swap.” The combined range should also be “over 1000 km”.
There are no details on the combustion engine yet, but a four-cylinder engine seems quite likely given that the 9X SUV from Zeekr, also owned by Geely, was introduced this year with a 660kW 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged PHEV powertrain.
The luxury SUV features a 900V electric architecture and is said to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.0 seconds. Adjustable air suspension and 48V active stabilization are also found on the 9X’s spec sheet, another indication of a “group” collaboration within Geely’s upper performance range.
Autocar Lotus reportedly has three PHEVs in the works, one of which is a new, smaller SUV called the Vision
Additionally, the move to add PHEVs will help Lotus avoid the EU’s higher tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles and take the fight to rivals Bentley and Lamborghini, both of which have found great success using PHEV technology to maintain powerful, large-displacement engines while reducing emissions.
PHEVs reportedly accounted for 90 percent of Lamborghini’s production in the first nine months of 2025 – undoubtedly led by the 588kW PHEV performance SUV Urus SE as well as the Temerario and Revuelto plug-in supercars. Bentley’s sales quota is now around 60 percent.
Lotus CFO Daxue Wang also reportedly said at the November earnings call that the brand’s upcoming PHEVs will help boost the profitability of the Lotus brand, which reportedly posted an operating loss of US$357 million (A$545 million) after the first nine months of 2025.
The company shipped 4,612 units, down 40 percent year-on-year, according to its unaudited third-quarter financial results. Much of this was due to declining sales in Europe and China.
In Australia, there were massive price cuts for the Lotus Eletre in the 2025 model year – prices fell by up to $49,000. As a result, the base price of the all-electric performance SUV fell below the $200,000 mark.
Two electric powertrains are currently available for the Eletre ahead of the expected PHEV version’s launch in 2026. The Eletre and Eletre S are powered by a 450kW/710Nm dual-motor powertrain, while the flagship Eletre R boosts this to a whopping 675kW/985Nm, enabling 0-100km/h acceleration in 2.95 seconds (compared to 4.5 seconds on smaller models).
It is unclear whether Lotus plans to bring its upcoming PHEV models to Australia and whether there will be a significant or non-existent gap in pricing positioning. There will undoubtedly be even more to discover in the new year.
Given that the electric Eletre is already hundreds of thousands cheaper than a Lamborghini Urus SE (starting at around $457,000), Lotus’ upcoming PHEV performance SUV should be a relative bargain in comparison.
MORE: Explore the Lotus Electre showroom
