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Lotus’s answer to falling sales: a 3-ton plug-in hybrid
Lotus has quietly registered official approval documents in China for a new plug-in hybrid SUV called the Lotus For‑Me — essentially the first PHEV version of the Eletre. Slated to debut in early 2026 with sales beginning in the first quarter, the For‑Me is part of Lotus’s strategic pivot toward so-called "super-hybrids" as the brand fights a 40% global sales decline in the first nine months of 2025.
Size, weight and aerodynamic focus
The For‑Me keeps the Eletre’s exact exterior dimensions: 5,103 mm in length and a 3,019 mm wheelbase. What changes is the mass — this SUV is a heavyweight, tipping the scales between about 3,055 and 3,080 kg (roughly a 3‑ton curb weight).
Key aero and sensor features
Lotus retains active aerodynamic kit from the Eletre, including a rear spoiler capable of generating about 90 kg of downforce and a low drag coefficient of 0.26. A retractable lidar unit improves aerodynamics when stowed while enabling advanced driver assistance functions when deployed.
Powertrain and performance
Under the For‑Me’s bonnet sits a 2.0‑liter turbocharged gasoline engine producing about 279 hp, paired with one or more electric motors. Lotus claims a combined output that could approach 952 hp — figures that would deliver roughly a 0–100 km/h sprint in the neighborhood of three seconds and a total driving range exceeding 1,000 km on mixed operation.
Highlights:
- 2.0L turbo + electric drive; combined output ~952 hp
- 0–100 km/h ~3 seconds; overall range >1,000 km
- 900V electrical architecture; battery options ~50 kWh or 70 kWh
- Components supplied by Horse Powertrain (Geely/Renault/Aramco JV)
Market context and positioning
This model is a tactical play: Lotus wants to diversify beyond pure electrics and exploit high-performance hybrid technology to recapture buyers amid tariff pressures and a transition to new model lines. The For‑Me positions Lotus in the premium performance-SUV market where buyers want long-range capability and supercar-level performance without fully abandoning internal combustion.
For car enthusiasts, the For‑Me promises dramatic performance and refined aerodynamics packaged in the distinctive, aggressive styling that helped the Eletre turn heads — but with added practicality and extended range from its plug-in hybrid setup.
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