Lotus assessments its upcoming ‘Hyper Hybrid’ expertise in sports activities automobiles because the enterprise continues with its pivot away from a pure electrical future amid falling gross sales.

It’s “investigating the feasibility” of a sports activities automobile with high-powered hybrid expertise, CEO Feng Qingfeng mentioned at his firm’s earnings name within the first quarter.

Lotus reported a 42% drop in gross sales in the course of the first three months of the 12 months to 1274 automobiles.

The autumn was pushed by a continuing lack of enthusiasm for high-end EVs, together with the disruption arising from the US tariff limitations, which pressured Lotus to cease Emira deliveries there and cease the gross sales of the Eletre Electrical SUV.

The primary mannequin with Hyper Hybrid Phev expertise is unveiled on the finish of the 12 months, with gross sales beginning within the first quarter of 2026, Feng mentioned. Autocar has confirmed individually that the mannequin can be a model of the Electrical SUV.

Feng mentioned the demand for the drivetrain can be evenly distributed between its core markets of Europe, China and the US.

The performance-focused hybrid drive has turn into a core focus of Lotus after it’s away from its dedication to turning into an EV model by 2028.

The agency has postponed the plans for an electrical substitute for Norfolk constructing Emira Sports activities Automobile, however he believes there is a chance to construct an plug-in hybrid for markets the place electrification is required for regulation.

“We see a large marketplace for burning engines, however we additionally perceive {that a} pureelectric sports activities automobile won’t appeal to a lot consideration,” Feng mentioned “so we are going to prioritize Hyper Hybrid for each life-style automobiles and sports activities automobiles sooner or later.”

Lotus has beforehand examined an plug-in-hybrid model of the Evora Sports activities Automobile, with a 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine linked to an electrical automobile and 17kWh battery for a possible EV-Legs 35 miles.