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Lotus Technology shifts to plug-in hybrids with a bang
Lotus Technology (China) has quietly rewritten its roadmap and revealed a headline-grabbing plug-in hybrid SUV due to launch in January 2025 in its domestic market. CEO Feng Qingfeng confirmed the new model will deliver a staggering 952 metric horsepower — roughly 939 mechanical hp — and promises more than 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) of driving range. For context, that peak output exceeds the battery-electric Eletre R, which itself develops 905 hp and 727 lb-ft (985 Nm).
What makes the new Eletre PHEV special?
The forthcoming Eletre PHEV runs on a 900-volt hybrid architecture — 100 volts higher than the BEV Eletre — an unusually high system voltage for a plug-in setup. Higher voltage can enable faster charging, smaller cabling and improved power delivery, all of which help explain the ambitious performance targets.
- 952 metric horsepower (≈939 mechanical hp)
- Claimed range: over 1,000 km (621 miles)
- 900-volt hybrid platform
- Dual-chamber air suspension and 48-volt active roll stabilization
Feng also confirmed comfort and handling upgrades: dual-chamber air suspension and a 48-volt active stabilizer will be fitted. Lotus plans to add a second plug-in hybrid to the lineup soon — the Emeya PHEV is the likeliest candidate, though the company has not made that official.
How it stacks up against Chinese rivals
The 900V hybrid architecture puts the Eletre PHEV in rare company. The Zeekr 9X Hyper, a Chinese plug-in SUV, also uses a 900-volt system. Zeekr pairs that voltage with a 70-kWh battery capable of over 400 kW DC charging: in ideal conditions, Zeekr claims 20–80% in around nine minutes. The 9X Hyper combines an internal-combustion turbo four-cylinder with three electric drive units to produce 1,381 hp and 1,039 lb-ft (1,410 Nm) — showing how far performance PHEVs have evolved.
Lotus’s approach is different: instead of chasing the absolute peak figures of some competitors, it’s blending flagship power with claimed long-range hybrid efficiency. That mix could appeal to buyers who want electric-range peace of mind without range-anxiety trade-offs on long trips.
Commercial context and company health
Lotus Technology’s unaudited Q3 2025 update shows 3,314 EVs delivered in the first nine months of the year, led by Chinese customers and followed by Europe and North America. Battery-electric deliveries rose 18% versus the same period in 2024. But growth hasn’t translated into profitability: total revenue fell 46% year-over-year, and the company reported an operating loss of $357 million and a net loss of $378 million. In short, Lotus Technology is investing heavily but still faces significant financial pressure to become competitive in a crowded EV and PHEV market.
Meanwhile, the Lotus brand in the UK
Back in the UK, Lotus’s last internal-combustion model remains the Emira, with 1,298 units delivered in the opening nine months — up 64% year-over-year. The Emira is offered with either a supercharged Toyota V6 or a Mercedes-AMG-supplied turbocharged inline-four; both powertrain options produce around 400 hp in their top specs.
Quote from the call: "We are recalibrating the product plan with a plug-in hybrid focus," Feng said, underlining Lotus Technology’s new strategic direction. Whether buyers will reward this hybrid-first pivot remains to be seen, but the Eletre PHEV’s blend of near-supercar power and class-leading range is sure to spark interest among performance-oriented EV shoppers.
Source: autoevolution
Comments
atomwave
Nice specs, but revenue down 46% and huge losses. How realistic is a PHEV ramp with that balance sheet? If buyers dont show up, all that tech is just expensive lipstick. curious how they fund it…
v8rider
Whoa 952 hp and 1,000 km range? Lotus going big! If the 900V hybrid really charges fast, this could shake things up. Skeptical about profitability tho…
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