The automotive world has seen its fair share of electric powertrains, but what about hybrid powertrains designed for electric cars? Enter Horse, a joint venture between Renault and Geely, which has just revealed a clever new modular hybrid powertrain. This could soon help manufacturers turn their full-electric models into hybrids with minimal fuss.
Horse, the powertrain development venture, isn't talking about the kind of horses that go "neigh" – instead, they're all about power units. And they're rapidly becoming a name we're going to hear more about. Whether it's dropping into a Dacia Bigster or something sportier like a Caterham, this partnership is set to change how manufacturers tackle powertrains.
The new concept, known as the Future Hybrid Concept, is essentially a compact unit that integrates an internal combustion engine, a gearbox, and an electric motor into one streamlined package. The idea is simple: to enable manufacturers to quickly convert their electric models into hybrids when EV demand lags or when they need to meet the varying demands of different global markets.
Matias Giannini, Horse CEO, made it clear that the automotive landscape has shifted. What once seemed like a one-way street toward electric vehicles is now a more diverse journey. "For over a decade, it looked like Battery Electric Vehicles were the only path to net zero," he said. "But now, we're moving into a world that's more technology-neutral, with different markets and applications each pursuing their own sustainable mobility journey."
This hybrid powertrain is designed to fit into existing front-wheel-drive EVS with minimal modifications, simply by swapping out the front electric motor. Even combustion engine cars can make the switch without much hassle. This flexibility should help manufacturers avoid costly production disruptions and be more agile when market demands arrive.
The specifics of the engine, battery, and power output have not been fully disclosed yet. But we do know that the system is designed to sit in a transverse layout, ensuring it meets global crash safety regulations. And it doesn't just run on regular petrol. The hybrid system will also work with sustainable fuels like E85 ethanol (common in South America) and methanol (gaining popularity in regions such as China, India, and Africa), as well as other alternative fuels that are slowly coming to market.
The official debut of the Future Hybrid Concept is scheduled for April 24 at the Shanghai Auto Show. If all goes to plan, the first cars to use this tech will arrive in 2028. It could mark a new chapter in the transition to more sustainable mobility, offering flexibility where it's needed most.
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Hybrid Powertrain: Combines an internal combustion engine, gearbox, and electric motor
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Market Adaptability: Easily adaptable to existing EV platforms with minimal modifications
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Fuel Flexibility: Works with regular petrol, E85 ethanol, methanol, and other alternative fuels
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Launch Timeline: Full reveal at Shanghai Auto Show on 24 April, with production vehicles slated for 2028.
In short, Horse's new powertrain is less about reinventing the wheel and more about offering a sensible, cost-effective way for manufacturers to evolve with shifting consumer and market preferences. Let's see if it delivers.
