At Auto Shanghai 2025, Horse Powertrain showed off its new Future Hybrid Concept powertrain. It is a compact, modular hybrid unit that could potentially change how car manufacturers look at electrified platforms.
The Future Hybrid Concept is a single, integrated unit combining an internal combustion engine, electric motor, and gearbox. It’s designed to slot into existing Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) platforms with minimal changes. This means that current EVs could be hybridised without a complete platform overhaul.
Many Possibilities
As it is so compact and lightweight, this new powertrain bolts directly onto a BEV’s subframe, effectively replacing the front electric drive unit. It supports all-wheel drive in both electric and hybrid modes, with built-in gearbox and driveshafts. Importantly, it can also be used on traditional combustion platforms, giving OEMs more options.
Horse Powertrain’s design simplifies hybrid integration, avoiding the need for separate assembly steps or multiple production lines. That efficiency could make a huge difference for manufacturers wanting to diversify propulsion options without heavy investment.
Matias Giannini, CEO at Horse Powertrain
“Horse Powertrain is focused on solving the biggest problems facing automotive OEMs. 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. Our Future Hybrid Concept helps OEMs solve this problem. 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 production process and resource expenditure.”
Highly Compatible
It’s compatible with petrol, ethanol flex fuels (like E85), methanol (M100), and synthetic fuels, allowing it to meet varying regional demands. It uses pre-chamber ignition technology for efficient, clean combustion across fuel types.
The system includes all the necessary power electronics, such as the controller, inverter, DC/DC converter, onboard charger, and even an 800v booster for rapid charging.
Ragnar Burenius, Chief Engineer of xHEV systems at Horse Powertrain
“The Future Hybrid Concept is designing as a single-piece combustion engine, motor, and transmission unit, reducing the complexity of a hybrid powertrain. This allows more flexibility for its packaging, allowing for it to be integrated in existing BEV platforms with minimal modifications to the vehicle.”
Clever Design
The whole unit is designed with a slim top and wider base. It’s been engineered to fit under current crash structures while accommodating next-gen heat pumps and eco-friendly R290 refrigerants.
Horse Powertrain aims to bring this concept to production by 2028, and says it already meets 80% of market needs.
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