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Lotus Type 132 SUV
- Thread starter FiestaST
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FiestaST
Honorary Master
FiestaST
Honorary Master
His Majesty King Charles III has bought a Lotus Eletre
His Majesty – a fervent environmentalist for over 55 years – is reported to have picked a red one
His Majesty King Charles III is preparing to startle some pheasants with delivery of yet another EV later this year. This time out, it's an electron-rich Lotus Eletre.
The British monarch has reportedly settled on Lotus's extremely modern and rather potent performance EV, despite being better known for riding around in old Land Rovers.
It's not yet confirmed if His Majesty opted for the Eletre 600 or the Eletre 900, but TopGear.com understands he's requested bodywork in Royal Claret. Full marks for taste, sir. Apparently, the Royal household had an Eletre for a loan period before making the decision to buy one.
This isn't His Majesty's first zero-emissions rodeo, though. He had a range-topping Jaguar I-Pace which sold at auction last year after only 35,000 miles. Plus, his Aston Martin DB6 Volante famously sips on a bioethanol created from cheese and wine.
His Majesty – a fervent environmentalist for over 55 years – is reported to have picked a red one
His Majesty King Charles III is preparing to startle some pheasants with delivery of yet another EV later this year. This time out, it's an electron-rich Lotus Eletre.
The British monarch has reportedly settled on Lotus's extremely modern and rather potent performance EV, despite being better known for riding around in old Land Rovers.
It's not yet confirmed if His Majesty opted for the Eletre 600 or the Eletre 900, but TopGear.com understands he's requested bodywork in Royal Claret. Full marks for taste, sir. Apparently, the Royal household had an Eletre for a loan period before making the decision to buy one.
This isn't His Majesty's first zero-emissions rodeo, though. He had a range-topping Jaguar I-Pace which sold at auction last year after only 35,000 miles. Plus, his Aston Martin DB6 Volante famously sips on a bioethanol created from cheese and wine.
FiestaST
Honorary Master
FiestaST
Honorary Master
AutoTopNL top speed review of the Eletre R
FiestaST
Honorary Master
Lotus will launch new range of hybrids in Europe next year
The first will be a plug-in hybrid variant of the Eletre large SUV packing 912bhp
Lotus will definitely sell its forthcoming plug-in hybrids in Europe following the global unveiling of the first such model in January, its CEO has confirmed.
The first Lotus PHEV, expected to be a version of the Eletre large SUV, will pack 912bhp and come with air suspension and an active stabiliser for “ultimate handling” ability, Feng Qingfeng said on the company’s 24 November earnings call.
Sales will start in China in the first quarter of 2026, with a European launch expected in autumn.
Lotus pivoted to PHEVs after sluggish take-up of EVs in the premium and luxury segments forced the company to ditch its plan to go all-electric by 2028.
“The introduction of hybrid models offers more choice for luxury vehicle buyers and will help us expand into broader markets, including regions with slower EV adoption, such as Italy and Spain and Saudi Arabia,” Feng said on the call.
The move will also allow the Geely-owned company to avoid the EU’s higher tariffs on Chinese-built EVs.
www.autocar.co.uk
The first will be a plug-in hybrid variant of the Eletre large SUV packing 912bhp
Lotus will definitely sell its forthcoming plug-in hybrids in Europe following the global unveiling of the first such model in January, its CEO has confirmed.
The first Lotus PHEV, expected to be a version of the Eletre large SUV, will pack 912bhp and come with air suspension and an active stabiliser for “ultimate handling” ability, Feng Qingfeng said on the company’s 24 November earnings call.
Sales will start in China in the first quarter of 2026, with a European launch expected in autumn.
Lotus pivoted to PHEVs after sluggish take-up of EVs in the premium and luxury segments forced the company to ditch its plan to go all-electric by 2028.
“The introduction of hybrid models offers more choice for luxury vehicle buyers and will help us expand into broader markets, including regions with slower EV adoption, such as Italy and Spain and Saudi Arabia,” Feng said on the call.
The move will also allow the Geely-owned company to avoid the EU’s higher tariffs on Chinese-built EVs.
Lotus will launch a new range of hybrids in Europe next year | Autocar
First will be a plug-in hybrid variant of the Eletre large SUV packing 912bhp; all-new smaller SUV to follow in 2027
www.autocar.co.uk
FiestaST
Honorary Master
FiestaST
Honorary Master
Lotus swaps its all-electric dream for a 952hp Eletre plug-in hybrid
Lotus has made a tactical turn just when we thought this legendary sports car maker was fully committed to the world of electric cars. The company now finds itself reevaluating its aggressive timeline, and the result of this shift is its first hybrid SUV, a powerful new version of the existing Eletre EV crossover, introduced under the name Eletre For-Me.
This is an entirely new chapter for Lotus. The brand initially seemed determined to ditch the gas pump entirely, but it now joins other automakers who realize the transition might need a stepping stone. This "transitional" model isn't a completely new vehicle, but a revised edition of the Eletre EV built to house a new powertrain. Official images released by China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology confirm that this hybrid maintains the sleek, distinct look of its electric sibling.
Under the familiar bodywork, the Eletre For-Me gets a heart transplant. Lotus pairs a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which provides 279 horsepower on its own, with an unspecified electric drive system. Though the final technical details on the battery size and number of motors remain secret, reports indicate a combined output of 952 horsepower. That's slightly more than the most powerful version of the all-electric Eletre R, which tops out at 905 horsepower.
You would need a keen eye to spot the difference between the hybrid and the standard EV. The exterior is unchanged from the EV model, save for one tiny detail: a discreet 'For-Me' badge placed on the decklid. That small nameplate is pretty much the only external clue that this version hides a combustion engine alongside its electric motors.
The dimensions of the hybrid are exactly the same as the fully electric Eletre. This large, sleek SUV stretches 5.1 m in length, measures 2.02 m wide, and stands 1.64 m tall with a generous 3.02 m wheelbase. Naturally, with the addition of a traditional engine, the weight changes slightly, ranging between 2,575 kg and 2,625 kg depending on the version of the vehicle.
Where this new plug-in hybrid truly shines is in its dual-nature efficiency. The pure electric range alone is useful, with figures sitting between 345 km and 355 km under the Chinese CLTC testing cycle. When the system operates as a hybrid, fuel consumption is exceptionally low, hitting as little as 0.07 l per 100 km (around 336 miles per gallon) according to WLTC standards.
www.arenaev.com
Lotus has made a tactical turn just when we thought this legendary sports car maker was fully committed to the world of electric cars. The company now finds itself reevaluating its aggressive timeline, and the result of this shift is its first hybrid SUV, a powerful new version of the existing Eletre EV crossover, introduced under the name Eletre For-Me.
This is an entirely new chapter for Lotus. The brand initially seemed determined to ditch the gas pump entirely, but it now joins other automakers who realize the transition might need a stepping stone. This "transitional" model isn't a completely new vehicle, but a revised edition of the Eletre EV built to house a new powertrain. Official images released by China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology confirm that this hybrid maintains the sleek, distinct look of its electric sibling.
Under the familiar bodywork, the Eletre For-Me gets a heart transplant. Lotus pairs a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which provides 279 horsepower on its own, with an unspecified electric drive system. Though the final technical details on the battery size and number of motors remain secret, reports indicate a combined output of 952 horsepower. That's slightly more than the most powerful version of the all-electric Eletre R, which tops out at 905 horsepower.
You would need a keen eye to spot the difference between the hybrid and the standard EV. The exterior is unchanged from the EV model, save for one tiny detail: a discreet 'For-Me' badge placed on the decklid. That small nameplate is pretty much the only external clue that this version hides a combustion engine alongside its electric motors.
The dimensions of the hybrid are exactly the same as the fully electric Eletre. This large, sleek SUV stretches 5.1 m in length, measures 2.02 m wide, and stands 1.64 m tall with a generous 3.02 m wheelbase. Naturally, with the addition of a traditional engine, the weight changes slightly, ranging between 2,575 kg and 2,625 kg depending on the version of the vehicle.
Where this new plug-in hybrid truly shines is in its dual-nature efficiency. The pure electric range alone is useful, with figures sitting between 345 km and 355 km under the Chinese CLTC testing cycle. When the system operates as a hybrid, fuel consumption is exceptionally low, hitting as little as 0.07 l per 100 km (around 336 miles per gallon) according to WLTC standards.
Lotus swaps its all-electric dream for a 952hp Eletre plug-in hybrid
The 952-horsepower Lotus Eletre For-Me hybrid SUV represents a powerful, if slightly ironic, detour from the brand’s previous all-electric road map.
www.arenaev.com
FiestaST
Honorary Master
Autogefühl review of the Eletre PHEV
FiestaST
Honorary Master
FiestaST
Honorary Master
FiestaST
Honorary Master
Lotus For Me is the new hybrid Eletre for China - here is its interior
The days of Lotus building tiny, lightweight sports cars are well over. Under Geely ownership, the company has moved fast into the world of larger vehicles. Their latest creation is called the Lotus For Me. While it looks a lot like the all-electric Eletre SUV, this new model uses a mix of gas and electricity to reach incredible speeds and impressive mileage. Lotus revealed what the inside looks like and shared the final details before the For Me hits the road.
The Lotus For Me is what we call a plug-in hybrid. It uses a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine working alongside two powerful electric motors. Together, they deliver 952 horsepower - that's 50 hp more than Eletre R. For a family-sized SUV, that is a lot of power. It can sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.3 seconds. If you keep your foot down, it hits 200 km/h in 10.5 seconds. Yes, it is a tad slower than its all-electric sibling, but it makes up for it with its range.
But even more impressive than its acceleration is how it handles a low battery. Most electric cars or hybrids slow down when the battery is almost empty. Lotus says the For Me can still hit 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds even with only 10% charge left.
Inside the cabin, the For Me looks very modern and high-tech, and very much like the Eletre. Drivers will see a very slim digital screen for their gauges. There is also a large head-up display that projects information onto the windshield so you can keep your eyes on the road. The steering wheel has a Lotus-specific shape and has four spokes - again, very much like the Eletre.
www.arenaev.com
The days of Lotus building tiny, lightweight sports cars are well over. Under Geely ownership, the company has moved fast into the world of larger vehicles. Their latest creation is called the Lotus For Me. While it looks a lot like the all-electric Eletre SUV, this new model uses a mix of gas and electricity to reach incredible speeds and impressive mileage. Lotus revealed what the inside looks like and shared the final details before the For Me hits the road.
The Lotus For Me is what we call a plug-in hybrid. It uses a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine working alongside two powerful electric motors. Together, they deliver 952 horsepower - that's 50 hp more than Eletre R. For a family-sized SUV, that is a lot of power. It can sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.3 seconds. If you keep your foot down, it hits 200 km/h in 10.5 seconds. Yes, it is a tad slower than its all-electric sibling, but it makes up for it with its range.
But even more impressive than its acceleration is how it handles a low battery. Most electric cars or hybrids slow down when the battery is almost empty. Lotus says the For Me can still hit 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds even with only 10% charge left.
Inside the cabin, the For Me looks very modern and high-tech, and very much like the Eletre. Drivers will see a very slim digital screen for their gauges. There is also a large head-up display that projects information onto the windshield so you can keep your eyes on the road. The steering wheel has a Lotus-specific shape and has four spokes - again, very much like the Eletre.
Lotus For Me is the new hybrid Eletre for China - here is its interior
The Lotus For Me is a “new” 952-horsepower hybrid SUV that combines performance with a {{1,400 km}} range and a high-tech interior.
www.arenaev.com
FiestaST
Honorary Master
FiestaST
Honorary Master
FiestaST
Honorary Master
TheStraightPipes review of the Eletre Carbon
FiestaST
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Richard Hammond Drives the New Lotus Eletre X - DriveTribe
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Lotus Eletre X vs Ferrari Purosangue: Drag Race - Carwow
