Horse Powertrain Unveils New Hybrid Powertrain Concept

https://www.carz.com.my/2025/03/production-ready-renault-5-turbo-3e-bows-with-536-hp-and-1980-unit-run

Horse Powertrain unveils the new Future Hybrid Concept modular powertrain that can be fitted in dedicated EV architectures.

Horse Powertrain, a Geely-Renault powertrain venture, has unveiled its latest hybrid powertrain setup, cordially known as the Future Hybrid Concept. Featuring a modular setup, this compact hybrid powertrain concept is designed to hybridise battery-electric vehicle (BEV) platforms, thus transforming them into a hybrid vehicle (HEV) or even a range-extender EV (EREV).

The Future Hybrid Concept comprises an internal combustion engine (ICE), a single electric motor, and a transmission, which have been packaged into a small and modular setup. Horse Powertrain claims the modularity will enable automakers to “meet changing customer demand” and eliminate the need for multiple platforms across different powertrain types.

Besides the main ICE component and the electric motor, the Future Hybrid Concept also comes with a controller, an inverter, a DC/DC converter, and an on-board charger with an 800-volt booster for fast charging capabilities.

Dive deeper into the ICE component of the Future Hybrid Concept, Horse Powertrain said the engine “has been designed to be used and operated anywhere in the world,” featuring a pre-chamber ignition system that supports a wide range of fuels, including petrol, E85 ethanol flex fuel, M100 methanol, and even synthetic fuels.

In terms of real-world applications, the firm claims the Future Hybrid Concept can be used in many situations, where it can serve as a range extender to the existing BEV powertrain setup. Alternatively, it can also be used to work as a parallel hybrid system, as it can be configured with its own transmission and driveshafts.

As for its layout, the Future Hybrid Concept comes with a conventional transverse layout, which suggests that it will be primarily used in a front-engine, front-wheel drive (FWD) setup. On top of that, the setup has also been designed to have a ‘slimline’ top and wider profile at the bottom, thus ensuring its compliance with any global crash test standards out there.

Given its concept form, it might take some time before we see the Future Hybrid Concept being used in any Geely or Renault models. Beyond its parent companies, Horse Powertrain also says its new hybrid concept system can be adopted by any OEM brands out there.

“For over a decade it looked like battery electric vehicles were the only path to net zero, and OEMs planned accordingly. However, we’re now shifting towards a technology-neutral world, with different markets and applications each pursuing their own sustainable mobility journey,” said Horse Powertrain CEO Matias Giannini.

“Through our innovation, we can deliver a full hybrid powertrain system that seamlessly integrates onto a battery electric vehicle platform. This compact, integrated powertrain concept allows OEMs to offer powertrain diversity with minimal disruption to the production process and resource expenditure,” Giannini added.