- Lotus will sell two versions of the hybrid Lotus Eletre across key European markets.
- The flagship H1000 variant delivers 939 hp and 690 lb-ft (935 Nm) of torque.
- The Eletre X plug-in hybrid has a combined driving range of over 745 miles.
As impressive as the all-electric Lotus Eletre is, it’s never been very popular, in part because of its price, but also because few people are willing to pay a premium for an electric SUV like it. This prompted Lotus to launch a hybrid version in China earlier this year, and it’s now touched down in Europe.
Known as the Eletre X, the plug-in hybrid model is arguably what the Eletre should have always been. It uses a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, two electric motors, a 70 kWh battery pack, and has a 900-volt architecture, resulting in a combined 939 hp and 690 lb-ft (935 Nm) of torque. This gives it 34 more ponies than the all-electric Eletre R, although it is down on that model’s 985 lb-ft (1,335 Nm).
Read: Lotus Built A 939 HP Hybrid SUV For Me, Apparently
Lotus says the Eletre X can hit 62 mph (100 km/h) in 3.3 seconds and power from 50-99 mph (80-160 km/h) in just 3.88 seconds. Perhaps more important than the straight-line performance is that, thanks to the generous battery pack and the 52-liter fuel tank, the plug-in hybrid Lotus can travel more than 745 miles (1,200 km) between stops. All-electric range also sits at a solid 217 miles (350 km). What’s more, it takes just 9 minutes to charge the 70 kWh pack from 20-80 percent at a 350 kW DC charger.
Two Versions On Offer
Two different versions of the Eletre X plug-in hybrid will be offered. The figures of 939 hp and 690 lb-ft (935 Nm) are reserved for the H1000 model, but an H550 entry-level version will also be offered. This model is capped at 542 hp but retains the same 690 lb-ft (935 Nm) of torque. It can hit 62 mph in 4.9 seconds and tops out at 130 mph (210 km/h), whereas the H1000 is good for 143 mph (230 km/h). The H550 includes the same 70-kWh pack, 900-volt system, and driving range.
Among the key features retained from the electric version are a 48-volt active anti-roll control system, dual-chamber air suspension, dual-valve adaptive dampers, front double-wishbone suspension, and huge Brembo brakes.
Then there’s the all-important pricing. In Germany, the base all-electric Eletre starts at €95,990 ($111,600), while the new Eletre X H550 starts at €96,990. Importantly, the H1000 starts at €119,990 ($112,800), whereas the flagship electric version is much pricier at a touch over €150,000 ($174,400), so the H1000 seems like quite a good deal.
