Not long ago, Lotus announced plans to phase out internal-combustion engines in favor of batteries and electric motors, declaring the Emira sports car would be its final model with ICE power. But the evolving EV landscape has led Lotus to once again embrace combustion engines, albeit paired with plug-in hybrid technology this time around.The British marque famous for its lightweight sports cars has now launched its first hybrid, based on its Eletre midsize SUV, a model originally designed exclusively as an EV. The hybrid version is designated the Eletre For Me in China, where Lotus' Geely parent is based and where the Eletre is built. In other markets, it will be known as the Eletre X. Deliveries in Europe are scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2026 but timing for the US is uncertain, and its arrival is absolutely not guaranteed. Hybrid Eletre Packs More Power Than The EV LotusThe most powerful electric Eletre is the Eletre R, producing 905 horsepower from its dual-motor all-wheel drive setup. The hybrid Eletre X cranks things up even further, adding a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four to the mix and pushing combined output to 939 hp, or enough to make the rival Lamborghini Urus SE, also a plug-in hybrid, look tame with its 789-hp rating. And remember, the Urus has a twin-turbocharged V8 on tap.The Eletre X keeps the dual-motor all-wheel drive system of its electric siblings but tucks an engine transversely under the hood. Its primary role is as a 201-hp range extender, keeping a 70-kilowatt-hour battery topped off. But when the going gets heavy, it can also drive the front wheels through the same single-speed gearbox used by the front motor. The system is engineered to switch seamlessly between pure electric, extended-range (series hybrid), and parallel hybrid modes. It’s efficient too, promising 0-60 mph in 3.3 seconds (up on Eletre R's 2.95 seconds) and a WLTP-rated range of up to 745 miles with a full battery and gas tank (roughly 13.7 gallons).LotusThat said, performance drops as the battery depletes. Lotus says when the battery hits about 20%, the Eletre X is down to roughly 738 hp. Its battery is smaller than the 112-kWh pack in the electric Eletres, potentially giving the hybrid a weight advantage, though Lotus hasn’t released curb weight figures. The Eletre R weighs in at 5,820 pounds. The hybrid also introduces a new 900-volt electrical system (up from 800V in the EVs), enabling lightning-fast charging. Lotus claims a 20-80% charge takes just nine minutes on a compatible DC charger. More Hybrids Are Coming LotusLotus has confirmed that at least two more plug-in hybrids are on the horizon. One is likely to be based on the Emeya, as the striking fastback sedan shares its platform with the Eletre. The other could be based on the Emira, though Lotus is also developing a compact SUV to compete with the Maserati Grecale and Porsche Macan. Currently codenamed Type 134, this smaller SUV is expected to debut around 2027.Lotus’ US plans have been upended by tariffs. Only the Emira and Evija hypercar are built in the UK; all other models are manufactured in China, which faces the steepest duties. The Eletre, which debuted in 2022, finally arrived stateside as a 2025 model, but only in a special Eletre Carbon edition starting at $229,900. That’s far above the $107,000 starting price initially planned for the base Eletre and still much higher than the $145,000 price originally intended for the Eletre R, on which the Carbon is based.It remains to be seen whether Lotus will find a way to bring the Eletre stateside, but from our POV, don't hold your breath.