After scrapping plans to only sell electric cars, the brand has revealed its first plug-in hybrid, promising up to 1200km of driving range.
British sports-car specialist Lotus has announced its first hybrid powertrain, known as X Hybrid, claimed to offer a 1200km combined range and 350km of all-electric driving range.
X Hybrid technology will debut in Europe as the upcoming Lotus Eletre X large SUV – following its launch in China – due to open for orders in June, and commence deliveries in the fourth quarter of this year (October to December).
It is the car maker's solution to modest sales of the electric Eletre and its Emeya sedan sibling, which led a now-axed plan to see Lotus only sell electric vehicles by 2028.
The X Hybrid system is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine producing 150kW, and front and rear electric motors developing 700kW and 935Nm combined.
The engine is capable of generating up to 25kWh of energy per hour of driving, while Lotus says that even with the battery at 20 per cent state of charge, the motors can still produce 550kW.
Lotus claims the Eletre X will complete the zero to 100km/h sprint in 3.3 seconds.
The 70kWh battery and petrol generator are claimed to deliver a hybrid range of more than 1200km, and an electric-only range of 350km, according to European WLTP lab testing of Chinese models.
The system runs at 900 volts, and is claimed to be able to replenish its battery from 20 to 80 per cent in nine minutes.
The Eletre can run as a fully-electric car, with the petrol engine and electric motors driving the wheels together, and as a range-extender, with the engine producing energy for the battery pack.
Performance features of the Eletre X include 48-volt active anti-roll bars, an adjustable rear spoiler that can rotate between four positions, air suspension, and six-piston front brakes.
Inside, nappa leather upholstery, a 23-speaker sound system, and an auto-dimming panoramic roof with 10 transparency levels are available.
Lotus says the figures confirmed to date apply to Chinese-market Eletre 'For Me' hybrid models, with European details to be confirmed closer to the model's launch in June.
