In a major strategic U-turn, Lotus has abandoned its all-electric-only plan and launched the Eletre X — a plug-in hybrid version of its hyper-SUV. Rather than a pure EV, the Eletre X uses a 2.0-litre turbo engine purely as a generator alongside dual electric motors, in a range-extender-style "X-Hybrid" setup. The result is the best of both worlds: up to 350 km of pure-electric range, a combined range of over 1,200 km, and supercar pace. The flagship H1000 makes a colossal 700 kW (952 PS / 939 hp) for a 3.3-second 0–100 km/h, while the H550 offers 550 PS. Tellingly, the 939 hp H1000 actually undercuts the all-electric Eletre R on price, starting at €119,990 (H550 from €96,990).
Performance & Specs
The Eletre X pairs dual permanent-magnet electric motors (for all-wheel drive) with a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine that acts almost entirely as a generator, plus a 150 kW (204 PS) starter-generator. In the flagship H1000, total system output is a massive 700 kW (952 PS / 939 hp) and 935 Nm, launching this 2.6-tonne super-SUV from 0–100 km/h in 3.3 seconds, 0–200 km/h in around 10.5–11 seconds, and on to a 230 km/h top speed. The H550 makes 550 PS, does 0–100 in 4.9 seconds and tops out at 210 km/h. Both ride on dual-chamber air suspension with adaptive dampers (2 ms response), a 48V active anti-roll system and a Brembo six-piston front brake setup, with an active rear spoiler generating up to 120 kg of downforce.
| Powertrain | Plug-in hybrid (range-extender) |
|---|---|
| Power | 700 kW (952 PS / 939 hp) |
| Torque | 935 Nm |
| 0–100 km/h | 3.3 s |
| Battery | 70 kWh (NMC) |
| Range | 350 km EV / 1,200+ km |
| POWERTRAIN TYPE | Plug-in hybrid (range-extender layout) |
|---|---|
| POWER | 550 PS (H550) / 700 kW, 952 PS (H1000) |
| TORQUE | 935 Nm |
| ACCELERATION | 4.9 s (H550) / 3.3 s (H1000) |
| TOP SPEED | 210 km/h / 230 km/h |
| ENGINE | 2.0L turbo (generator) + dual e-motors |
| BATTERY | 70 kWh (NMC) |
| EV / COMBINED RANGE | 350 km / 1,200+ km (WLTP) |
Dimensions & Practicality
| Length | ~5,103 mm |
|---|---|
| Width | ~2,019 mm |
| Height | ~1,630 mm |
| Wheelbase | ~3,019 mm |
| Weight (H1000) | 2,615 kg |
The Eletre X is visually near-identical to the electric Eletre, sharing its body and large footprint — roughly 5,103 mm long on a 3,019 mm wheelbase — with extra cooling intakes for the engine. That makes it a full-size, five-seat luxury super-SUV. Despite carrying an engine and fuel tank, it actually weighs up to 120 kg less than the all-electric Eletre, thanks to a much smaller 70 kWh battery; the H550 tips the scales at 2,550 kg and the H1000 at 2,615 kg. A 52-litre fuel tank works with the battery to deliver that headline 1,200 km combined range. Exact interior dimensions for the X are yet to be confirmed, but they should mirror the spacious Eletre.
| LENGTH | ~5,103 mm |
|---|---|
| WIDTH | ~2,019 mm |
| HEIGHT | ~1,630 mm |
| WHEELBASE | ~3,019 mm |
| KERB WEIGHT | 2,550 kg (H550) / 2,615 kg (H1000) |
| FUEL TANK | 52 L |
Charging & Battery
The Eletre X uses a 70 kWh NMC battery on an advanced 900V architecture — a step up from the 800V system of the electric Eletre. That enables seriously fast charging: a 20–80% DC top-up takes around 9 minutes on a 350 kW charger, with a peak rate quoted as high as 436 kW. AC charging runs at 11 kW for a full overnight charge in about 7.2 hours. Crucially, when the battery does run low there's no waiting at all — the 2.0-litre engine simply runs as a generator, and a quick splash of fuel into the 52-litre tank extends total range past 1,200 km. It's a setup designed to remove every last trace of range anxiety from a performance flagship.
| BATTERY | 70 kWh (NMC) |
|---|---|
| ARCHITECTURE | 900V |
| DC FAST CHARGING | 20–80% in ~9 min (350 kW) |
| AC CHARGING | 11 kW |
Design & Interior
The Eletre X keeps the dramatic, low-slung hyper-SUV styling of the electric Eletre, with its sharp LED light signatures, a full-width illuminated rear light bar and a distinctive green "X" badge denoting the hybrid powertrain. The main visual giveaways are larger active grille shutters and extra intake vents feeding the combustion engine. Inside, it's pure Lotus luxury: a driver-focused cabin trimmed in around nine hides of Nappa leather, carbon fibre, Alcantara and sustainable "Wyron Truecycled" materials, with an optional electrochromic (PDLC) dimming panoramic glass roof. The triple-screen dashboard and 23-speaker KEF audio give it genuine flagship ambience to match the badge.
Technology & Features
Technology is front and centre. The dashboard features a 15.1-inch OLED central touchscreen flanked by two 12.6-inch displays (driver and passenger), plus a head-up display. Driver assistance is handled by an NVIDIA Thor compute platform reading 30 perception sensors, building on the Eletre's reputation for cutting-edge ADAS hardware (the electric car pioneered a deployable LiDAR system). The cabin also offers the reference-grade KEF sound system and the latest Lotus connected-car software, making the Eletre X as much a tech statement as a performance one.
Safety & ADAS
The Eletre X carries a comprehensive sensor suite — 30 perception sensors feeding the NVIDIA Thor processor — to support advanced driver-assistance and, ultimately, higher levels of autonomy. Combined with the active aero, 48V anti-roll system and Brembo brakes, it's engineered to be as safe and composed at speed as it is quick.
| ADAS LEVEL | L2+ (NVIDIA Thor, 30 sensors) |
|---|---|
| ADAS FEATURES | Adaptive cruise, lane assist, automated parking, advanced perception suite |
Available Versions
| VERSION | POWER | BATTERY | EV RANGE | 0-100 | PRICE | KEY DIFFERENCES |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eletre X H550 | 550 PS | 70 kWh | 350 km | 4.9 s | €96,990 | Entry trim, 210 km/h top speed |
| Eletre X H1000 | 700 kW (952 PS) | 70 kWh | 350 km | 3.3 s | €119,990 | Flagship, 230 km/h, 935 Nm |
Pricing & Availability
The Lotus Eletre X opened for orders in mainland Europe in June 2026, priced at €96,990 for the H550 and €119,990 for the H1000, with deliveries from Q4 2026. UK deliveries follow in summer 2027 once right-hand-drive homologation is complete, while in China the car launched in March 2026 under the name "Lotus For Me." US availability remains uncertain. Notably, the 939 hp H1000 undercuts the all-electric Eletre R (around €150,990) despite making more peak power — a clear sign of how the hybrid strategy reshapes Lotus's range.
How It Compares
On paper, the Eletre X H1000 out-muscles everything here, with 939 hp eclipsing the Lamborghini Urus SE (789 hp), Aston Martin DBX S (717 hp) and Ferrari Purosangue (715 hp) — and it does so for far less money. Its trump card over those combustion rivals is everyday usability: 350 km of silent electric running for the daily commute, plus the ability to refuel in minutes for a 1,200 km road trip. It can't match a Ferrari V12 or a Lambo V8 for theatre or badge cachet, but as a usable, ferociously fast, tech-laden super-SUV, the Lotus makes a compelling value case.
- 939 hp and 0-100 in 3.3s in the H1000
- 350 km EV range plus 1,200+ km combined — no range anxiety
- 900V architecture, 9-minute fast charging
- Undercuts the EV Eletre R and combustion super-SUV rivals
- A philosophical U-turn from Lotus's all-electric promise
- Heavy at over 2.6 tonnes; not a lightweight Lotus
- UK waits until summer 2027; US availability unclear
The Eletre X marks a pragmatic turning point for Lotus: faced with cooling EV demand, it has bolted a generator engine onto its hyper-SUV to kill range anxiety, and the result is genuinely clever. The H1000's 939 hp and 3.3-second 0-100 make it one of the most powerful SUVs on sale, yet it offers 350 km of electric range, 1,200 km of total range and nine-minute charging — for less than the all-electric Eletre R and far less than its Ferrari, Aston and Lamborghini rivals. Purists may lament Lotus abandoning its EV-only ideals, and at 2.6 tonnes it's no featherweight. But as a fast, flexible, tech-rich luxury super-SUV, the Eletre X is a smart piece of real-world engineering.
