Horse Powertrain, a global developer of low-emission and advanced powertrain technologies, is set to showcase its latest innovation—the Future Hybrid Concept—at Auto Shanghai 2025. This new system marks a significant leap in hybrid technology, offering a fully integrated solution that merges an internal combustion engine, electric motor, and transmission into a single, compact unit.
The Future Hybrid Concept is engineered to simplify the hybridisation of Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) platforms, offering a flexible solution for automakers responding to shifting market demands. Designed as a lightweight and modular system, it can serve as a range extender and enable all-wheel drive in both electric and hybrid driving modes. Its compact form factor fits within existing BEV architectures, eliminating the need for dedicated hybrid platforms or separate production lines.
Capable of operating on multiple fuel types—including gasoline, ethanol flex fuels, pure methanol, and synthetic fuels—the system supports a wide range of global mobility needs. According to CEO Matias Giannini, “For years, the automotive industry focused heavily on battery electric solutions. Now, as we enter a more diversified mobility landscape, our Future Hybrid Concept provides automakers with a versatile, production-ready option to support different regional requirements.”
Horse Powertrain will officially present the Future Hybrid Concept at its press event scheduled for 10:00 AM CST on Thursday, April 24, 2025, at booth 8A17, Hall 8.1H. The first commercial applications of this new hybrid powertrain are expected to be on the road by 2028.
This new design consolidates the traditionally complex components of a hybrid powertrain into a single unit, delivering substantial efficiencies in manufacturing and integration. The unit can be mounted directly to a vehicle’s subframe with minimal changes to the vehicle structure, making it adaptable for both BEV and traditional combustion platforms.
Ragnar Burenius, Chief Engineer for xHEV Systems at Horse Powertrain, noted: “We’ve created a single-piece hybrid system that simplifies the engineering and production process, offering a more practical path for manufacturers to deliver hybrid capabilities without overhauling their existing platforms.”
The Future Hybrid Concept is intended to replace the front electric drive module of a typical BEV. Its geometry has been optimized to meet global crash safety requirements, with a top-slim, bottom-wide profile, allowing for efficient space utilization. It also includes integrated power electronics—controller, inverter, DC/DC converter, and an onboard charger—as well as an 800V charging booster for rapid charging capabilities.
A pre-chamber ignition system enables compatibility with multiple fuel types, ensuring usability in diverse regions such as South America, China, India, and sub-Saharan Africa. Additionally, the compact system is built to accommodate modern thermal management systems, including automotive heat pumps and R290 refrigerants.
Horse Powertrain operates through its two divisions, Aurobay Technologies and Horse Technologies. Headquartered in London, the company has a global workforce of 19,000 across 17 manufacturing facilities and five research and development centers. It is backed by Renault Group (45%), Geely (45%), and Aramco (10%).