2026 Lotus Eletre PHEV: UAE Price & Specs

Expected Price: 550,000 AED

The 2026 Lotus Eletre Plug-in Hybrid "For Me" takes the already wild electric Eletre and adds petrol power on top, for a combined 952 HP in a full-size performance SUV. It is aimed squarely at places like the UAE, where summers hit 45°C+, highways stretch for hundreds of kilometers, and fast chargers are still clustered in a few cities.

Instead of gambling everything on public chargers, this PHEV keeps the drama and speed of the electric Eletre R but adds a petrol engine for security on longer trips. Expect UAE pricing to start at around 550,000 AED, with a focus on buyers cross-shopping cars like the Lamborghini Urus and Porsche Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid. Below is a closer look at what to expect in terms of power, battery, range, ownership costs in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and how it fits into Lotus’s new “super hybrid” strategy.

Also read: Top 10 Luxury Cars In Dubai For 2025

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What is the 2026 Lotus Eletre Plug-in Hybrid?

The 2026 Lotus Eletre Plug-in Hybrid, internally nicknamed “For Me”, is a high-performance plug-in SUV built on the existing Eletre platform. It shows up in Chinese MIIT regulatory filings, reported by outlets like CarNewsChina and electrive.com, as a petrol–electric hybrid variant designed for markets where charging infrastructure still lags behind EV hype.

Production remains in China at Geely facilities, with a global rollout planned to begin in Q1 2026. The idea is simple: keep the brutal acceleration of the electric Eletre, solve range anxiety, and make it workable in markets where a pure EV can still feel like a risk outside the city. You can find more about the brand at the official Lotus website.

"For Me" PHEV vs Current All-Electric Eletre

The plug-in hybrid adds a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder engine (279 HP) to a pair of electric motors. Together they deliver a confirmed 952 HP, up from the all-electric Eletre R at 905 HP. To make space for the engine and fuel system, the battery shrinks from 112 kWh to around 70 kWh, trading some electric-only distance for overall versatility. Curb weight climbs past 3,000 kg, although the 900V electrical architecture still supports very rapid charging.

On paper, the all-electric Eletre R delivers about 600 km WLTP of range, excellent for daily UAE city use and short inter-city hops. The PHEV, however, is the one you would choose for a Dubai to Salalah road trip. With a total projected range over 1,000 km (per MIIT filings cited by Car and Driver), it promises supercar performance without planning every move around fast chargers.

Also read: Top 10 Best Electric Suvs In 2025 Uae Ranked

Lotus Shift to “Super Hybrid” Strategy

Under Geely ownership, Lotus had once talked about going fully electric by 2028. That timeline is now softening as global EV adoption slows and infrastructure gaps become obvious, especially outside Europe and China. The new “super hybrid” idea is to combine big batteries, 900V charging, and efficient petrol engines.

Former Lotus executive Matt Windle has described this approach, in interviews with outlets such as AutoExpress, as a bridge between high performance and everyday practicality. The Eletre PHEV fits exactly into that logic. China is expected to get it first in January 2026, Europe should follow in H2 2026, and the UAE is likely to see first deliveries around mid-2026, distributed locally through Adamas Motors based on how earlier Lotus models were handled in the region.

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Powertrain & Key Specifications

2.0L Turbo Engine + Electric Motors Setup

At the heart of the PHEV sits a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine producing about 279 HP, driving the front axle. Two electric motors handle the rest, delivering all-wheel drive. The powertrain sits on a 900V electrical platform, similar to the BEV Eletre, which allows exceptionally quick DC fast charging where suitable chargers are available. Much of this layout has been confirmed in Chinese MIIT data and reported by CarNewsChina.

Horsepower, Torque & Battery Details

Total system output is a massive 952 HP, comfortably ahead of the BEV Eletre R at 905 HP / 985 Nm. Torque for the PHEV is expected to push past 1,000 Nm, though Lotus has not yet published a final figure. The battery is estimated at around 70 kWh, which is still generous by PHEV standards, and it is backed up by a conventional fuel tank to give that 1,000+ km potential total range.

Electric-Only Range: CLTC vs WLTP vs UAE Real-World

Early figures suggest an electric-only range of 350+ km CLTC, with some leaks hinting at up to 420 km on the lenient Chinese test cycle. Translated to the stricter WLTP, that probably lands in the 250–300 km band.

In the UAE, the story changes again. With typical summer temperatures over 45°C, heavy AC usage, and battery cooling, owners should realistically expect around 20–30% less range. That means a more honest 200–250 km of electric driving, which still covers a full day’s urban running without starting the engine.

This drop aligns with What Car? testing, which found 29–44% range losses at 32–44°C in several EVs. The upside in the UAE is that overnight charging at home through DEWA remains efficient and relatively cheap.

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Performance as Radical SUV

Acceleration, Top Speed & Handling

With a quoted 0–100 km/h time of about 3.0 seconds, the Eletre PHEV sits in proper hyper-SUV territory. Top speed is expected around 265 km/h, enough to make even Sheikh Zayed Road feel short.

Lotus has built its reputation on handling rather than straight-line speed, so the chassis matters. Active air suspension, adaptive dampers, and rear-wheel steering work together to shrink the feel of a 3-tonne SUV. Early drives of the BEV Eletre suggest it can carry surprising speed on fast sweepers, so the PHEV should not be far behind, despite the added complexity.

Braking, Chassis & Lotus DNA

You will likely see carbon-ceric brakes on higher trims, along with advanced torque vectoring. These features help preserve the brand’s traditional balance and agility, even in a tall, heavy SUV. At 200 km/h plus on long UAE highways, the focus shifts from outright grip to confidence, and the Eletre’s wide footprint and aero work are intended to make that speed feel relaxed rather than stressful.

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UAE Pricing & Ownership Costs

Current BEV Eletre Prices in AED

As of late 2025, UAE listings put the electric Eletre at around:

• Standard / S: AED 496,000
• R: AED 615,000

These prices, pulled from sources like YallaMotor, DubiCars, and ArabWheels, include VAT and give a clear idea of where the PHEV will sit.

Projected PHEV Price Band & Finance EMI

The plug-in hybrid is expected to launch from about AED 550,000+, neatly between the base BEV and the Eletre R. For buyers thinking in monthly terms, a rough Finance illustration at 1.95% interest over 60 months with 20% down gives a payment near AED 7,700 per month, though actual bank offers will vary.

Also read: Uae Petrol Price 2025 Trends And Predictions

Insurance, Servicing & Fuel vs Electricity Savings

Insurance for a large luxury performance SUV in the UAE typically lands around AED 15,000–25,000 per year, based on benchmarks from premium models on YallaMotor. Routine servicing at Adamas is likely to fall in the AED 5,000–10,000 per year range, depending on mileage and package.

Where the PHEV can save money is in city use. Electricity from DEWA runs at roughly AED 0.30/kWh, compared with AED 3 per litre of petrol at ADNOC and other local fuel stations. For 15,000 km of mixed driving, energy costs in EV-heavy use should fall in the AED 5,000–8,000 band, against something closer to AED 9,000+ for a similarly powerful pure petrol SUV, according to estimates from SimplyCarBuyers and local running cost calculators.

UAE Incentives: PHEV vs BEV

Current UAE incentives, shaped by the National EV Policy, mainly target zero-emission vehicles. In Dubai, for instance, full BEVs can qualify for benefits like waived registration, free public parking in certain zones, and reduced Salik toll usage under pilot schemes. Plug-in hybrids, however, do not typically receive the same perks. Listings on Dubizzle and government communications underline that most of these advantages are reserved for vehicles with no exhaust pipe at all.

Also read: Top 10 Used Cars Dubai Buyers Are Searching For In 2025

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2026 Lotus Eletre PHEV vs Rivals

vs Lamborghini Urus & Porsche Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid

If you look purely at power and price, the Eletre PHEV lines up impressively. The standard Lamborghini Urus produces about 657 HP, with UAE pricing that starts near AED 1.3 million, and the Urus Performante climbing to around AED 1.55 million, according to YallaMotor and DriveArabia. The Porsche Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid comes in at about 729 HP, with estimated UAE prices around AED 650,000.

The Eletre PHEV hits 952 HP and an estimated starting price around 550,000 AED, so it massively undercuts the Urus and even arrives cheaper than a high-spec Cayenne while delivering more power and stronger electric-only capability.

vs Aston Martin DBX707: Power & UAE Pricing Comparison

The Aston Martin DBX707 is another obvious rival, with 697 HP and a price in the UAE comfortably above the seven-figure AED mark once you add options. It is brutally fast but fully petrol, with no electric range. The Eletre PHEV, by contrast, lets you creep through city traffic in near silence on EV mode during the week and then stretch its legs on weekends.

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Standout Features & Tech

LiDAR, HUD & KEF Audio

Expect a heavy tech focus. Standout items include:

• Retractable LiDAR units for semi-autonomous driving, targeting Level 3 capability in some markets
• A massive 29-inch head-up display (HUD) that effectively turns the lower edge of the windscreen into a digital cockpit
• An audiophile-grade KEF 15-speaker sound system, with higher trims likely offering even more speakers and 3D surround effects

Hot-Climate Comfort: AC, Cooled Seats

The cabin is built with hot climates in mind. Highlights include:

• 4-zone automatic climate control
• Cooled seats for front occupants, with likely availability in the rear on upper trims
• A cooled glovebox and smart vent design that can keep the cabin livable even after hours in a 50°C car park

ADAS for UAE Highways & Cities

The usual advanced driver assistance systems are present, including forward collision warning, lane-keeping assistance, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring. On the Dubai to Abu Dhabi stretch, adaptive cruise with lane centering should significantly cut fatigue, especially on late-night runs back into the city.

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UAE Release Date & Availability

Global Launch Timeline (China Jan 2026)

China is set to be the first market, with initial sales beginning in Q1 2026, likely January 2026, according to CarNewsChina and internal planning leaks. Europe should follow in H2 2026 once type approval is complete.

GCC/UAE Rollout Expectations & Allocations

Based on how previous Lotus models have arrived in the region, the UAE can expect the first units around mid-2026. Supply will probably be tight in the first year, with small allocations and long lead times for specific configurations.

Lotus UAE Dealer: Adamas Motors Guide

For serious buyers, the safest move is to contact Adamas Motors and register interest ahead of time. Dealers often prioritize the earliest registered names when production slots are limited, especially on new halo models.

Also read: How Much Is My Car Worth In Dubai 7 Key Factors That Move Used Car Prices

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Real-World UAE Performance & Usability

Heat Impact on Range & Battery

High temperatures are the biggest local variable. In peak summer, you can expect about 20–30% less electric range than lab figures, thanks to constant AC use and battery cooling. Independent tests by What Car? reported 29–44% range reductions at 32–44°C for various EVs, and UAE owners of other high-end EVs often report 15–20% losses in normal use.

The Eletre’s battery thermal management system is designed for this environment, but physics wins; the air conditioning in an SUV with 4-zone climate consumes energy.

Charging (DEWA/ADNOC) vs Fuelling

On a suitable 900V DC charger, the PHEV should be able to add roughly 400 km of total range in about 20 minutes, assuming charging infrastructure supports that voltage and current. That is similar to leading ultra-fast EVs. Realistically, many owners will top up at home overnight using AC wall boxes and treat the petrol tank as the backup for longer, unplanned journeys.

If you do find yourself away from chargers, ADNOC and other fuel stations are everywhere, so the petrol engine becomes your safety net rather than your main power source.

Long-Distance Gulf Trips: Dubai–Abu Dhabi–Oman

With a projected 1,000+ km combined range, the Eletre PHEV is built for extended Gulf trips: Dubai to Muscat, Abu Dhabi to Salalah, or Riyadh runs, with far less planning. You can leave home fully charged, use EV mode through city traffic, and let the petrol engine step in once the highway stretches out.

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Conclusion

The 2026 Lotus Eletre PHEV is aimed at drivers who want the future without giving up the safety net of a fuel pump. With 952 HP, around 200–250 km of realistic electric range in UAE heat, and total range beyond 1,000 km, it offers supercar performance in a package you can actually use every day, across emirates and across borders.

For UAE buyers weighing a Urus, DBX707, or Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid, the Eletre PHEV brings more power, stronger electric capability, and a significantly lower entry price. To get ahead of the queue, it is worth speaking to Adamas Motors and registering interest before the first allocations arrive.

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Summary Table

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People Also Ask

What is the 2026 Lotus Eletre plug-in hybrid and how does it differ from the electric Eletre?

The 2026 Lotus Eletre PHEV "For Me" adds a 2.0L turbo petrol engine to its electric motors, giving a total of 952 HP and extended hybrid range. The pure electric Eletre, particularly the R version, offers 905 HP with a larger 112 kWh battery that focuses entirely on electric driving, without a fuel tank.

2026 Lotus Eletre plug-in hybrid price in UAE?

The projected starting price is around AED 550,000, sitting above the base BEV Eletre but still undercutting many performance SUV rivals in the region.

Lotus Eletre plug-in hybrid horsepower and range?

The Eletre PHEV delivers about 952 HP in total, with roughly 200+ mi (350 km CLTC) of electric-only range and a combined petrol-plus-electric range of over 1,000 km, depending on driving style and conditions.

2026 Lotus Eletre plug-in hybrid release date UAE?

Global launch in China is targeted for January 2026, with the UAE expected to receive its first units around mid-2026 through Adamas Motors.

Is the Lotus Eletre PHEV available in UAE vs rivals like Urus?

It is not on sale in the UAE yet. Buyers can pre-register interest with Adamas Motors. When it does arrive, it should offer higher horsepower and stronger hybrid capability than a Lamborghini Urus, at a significantly lower price.