Horse Powertrain recently unveiled its latest advancements in hybrid and internal combustion engine technology at the IAA Mobility Show in Munich. These innovations aim to address the evolving landscape of the automotive industry, providing solutions that support a diversified approach to sustainable mobility. The company's offerings range from compact range extenders and integrated hybrid systems to hydrogen combustion engines and high-efficiency components, reflecting a commitment to both performance and environmental responsibility. Through these developments, Horse Powertrain, a joint venture backed by Renault Group, Geely, and Aramco, solidifies its position as a global supplier, catering to major automotive manufacturers and advocating for pragmatic solutions in the transition towards lower-emission powertrains.
CEO Matias Giannini highlighted the necessity of a realistic and varied strategy for future mobility. He noted a shift in industry sentiment towards implementing tangible technological solutions, recognizing that no single entity can tackle all aspects of this complex transition alone. Giannini emphasized the importance of partnerships and specialization to achieve meaningful progress without duplicating efforts or incurring excessive costs. His insights underscore a growing awareness within the automotive sector that innovation must align with economic realities, particularly in regions facing declining volumes and reduced investment. This perspective guides Horse Powertrain's strategy, focusing on providing flexible, modular solutions that empower original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to adapt to diverse market demands and regulatory frameworks.
Innovations in Hybrid and Internal Combustion Engines
Horse Powertrain introduced a suite of groundbreaking products designed to enhance efficiency and versatility in both hybrid and traditional combustion powertrains. Among these, the Horse C15 stands out as a compact range extender system, ingeniously integrating the motor, generator, and cooling system into a suitcase-sized unit. This design allows for flexible installation, catering to diverse vehicle architectures. The C15, based on a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, offers both naturally aspirated and turbocharged variants, providing outputs ranging from 94 to 161 horsepower. Its compatibility with a variety of fuels, including gasoline, ethanol, methanol, and synthetic options, underscores its adaptability and potential to meet evolving fuel standards. This innovation is particularly significant for smaller vehicles, offering a practical solution for extended range without the need for extensive modifications.
Further enhancing its portfolio, Horse Powertrain unveiled the Future Hybrid System, an all-in-one solution that seamlessly combines the engine, transmission, electric motor, and power electronics. This system enables the conversion of battery-electric vehicles into hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or range-extended models with minimal structural alterations, offering manufacturers a cost-effective pathway to expand their hybrid offerings. Two variants of this system were introduced: a 29-inch-wide performance version with dual electric motors and a more compact 26-inch-wide version featuring a single motor, both utilizing a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with a dedicated hybrid transmission. Additionally, the company showcased the Horse 4DHT120, a compact “5-in-1” power unit delivering significant continuous and peak power, along with substantial torque, providing a space-efficient and high-performing hybrid solution. These advancements demonstrate Horse Powertrain's commitment to delivering comprehensive and adaptable powertrain solutions for the global automotive market.
A Pragmatic Approach to Future Mobility by CEO Matias Giannini
Matias Giannini, CEO of Horse Powertrain, articulated a pragmatic vision for the future of mobility, emphasizing the need for diverse technological approaches rather than a singular focus on electric vehicles. Giannini, while supporting the EV strategy, highlighted that combustion engines are projected to remain a significant component of new vehicles even by 2040. He stressed that the industry’s objective of decarbonization is undisputed, but the methods to achieve it should not be narrowly prescribed by politicians. Instead, he advocates for setting ambitious yet realistic targets and entrusting the industry to develop innovative solutions. This perspective aims to reduce complexity for OEMs, allowing them to concentrate on core competencies while Horse Powertrain fills technological and geographical gaps with modular, plug-and-play solutions. Such an approach minimizes investment pressure and risk for manufacturers, particularly in a climate where economic and political uncertainties can hinder progress.
Giannini’s strategy is rooted in the belief that different regions may require different solutions, and that future vehicles should be designed primarily as Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) with optional range extenders or hybrids, avoiding the complexities and costs associated with multi-energy platforms. He underscored the company’s strong industrial commitment through continued investment in manufacturing plants like those in Valladolid and Seville, which produce over a million hybrid engines annually for the Renault Group. These investments, coupled with robust collaboration with unions, reinforce the regional importance of their operations. Giannini also emphasized Horse Powertrain’s role as a leading global powertrain manufacturer, producing over 8 million electric motors annually and meeting a substantial portion of market requirements. By offering scalable, real-world solutions developed with a modular mindset, Horse Powertrain aims to dramatically simplify integration for OEMs, enabling them to navigate the transition to sustainable mobility effectively. He acknowledged the declining role of diesel but affirmed support for customers in niche markets, while advocating for technology-agnostic policy-making that allows industry to innovate freely towards decarbonization goals.