By HARJA Published: DEC 12, 2024
In a significant shift from its previous commitment to an all-electric lineup by 2028, Lotus has announced the development of a new “Hyper Hybrid” technology. This decision reflects the company’s response to evolving market demands and the slower-than-anticipated adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in the luxury segment.
Lotus: The Emergence of Hyper Hybrids
Lotus’s Hyper Hybrid system combines a turbocharged internal combustion engine (ICE) with ultra-fast plug-in charging capabilities. Utilizing a 900V electrical architecture, this setup enables rapid battery replenishment and extends the vehicle’s overall range to approximately 1,100 kilometers (about 683 miles).
Unlike traditional range-extended EVs, the Hyper Hybrid system allows the vehicle to operate solely on the gasoline engine when necessary, such as during highway driving where ICEs can be more efficient. Additionally, the system can charge the battery at a rate five times faster than typical consumption during driving, ensuring consistent electric performance even under demanding conditions.
Lotus: Market Dynamics Influencing the Shift
The decision to integrate hybrid technology stems from the slow penetration of pure EVs in the luxury car segment. Many premium car buyers remain satisfied with the powerful performance of traditional ICE vehicles, finding the advantages of EVs less compelling in this context. Lotus CEO Feng Qingfeng noted, “The penetration of pure electric vehicles in the luxury car segment is slow because luxury car engines are already very powerful.”
Implications for Lotus’s Model Lineup
While specific models to feature the Hyper Hybrid system have not been confirmed, it’s anticipated that vehicles like the Eletre SUV and Emeya sedan could adopt this technology to enhance their appeal in the luxury market. The flexibility of Lotus’s Electric Premium Architecture (EPA) suggests that future models, including the forthcoming mid-size SUV aimed at competing with the Porsche Macan, might also benefit from this hybrid system.
Looking Ahead
Lotus’s embrace of Hyper Hybrid technology represents a pragmatic approach to balancing innovation with market realities. By offering a blend of electric efficiency and the proven performance of internal combustion, Lotus aims to meet customer expectations while navigating the transition toward electrification.
From 2026 on, all Emiras will be powered by the punchy Mercedes-AMG 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which only comes with an eight-speed dual clutch transmission. With Mercedes-Benz recently announcing it is spending $15 billion to ensure its internal combustion engines can continue to be produced until at least 2035, that gives Emira a lifecycle well into the 2030s. And, says Balmer, its flexible space frame construction means the Emira model family could be extended beyond the single two-door coupe currently offered.
Beyond that, Balmer sees room for another sports car in the Lotus lineup, a car that would sit between the 400-hp, $107,000 Emira and the 1972-hp, $2.3 million electric-powered Eviya hypercar, first deliveries of which have just commenced. Balmer stresses no plans for such a car currently exist, but if it were built, logic suggests it would likely have a hyper hybrid powertrain, and a lifecycle that potentially extends beyond 2035. “Having a sports car in the range—having sports cars, plural, in the range in 2030—is why I personally would like to see it,” Balmer says. “But it’s pure speculation.”
