VALLADOLID (Spain): A newly set up company by Geely, Renault and Aramco has started a production run of 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder turbocharged petrol engines for use in plug-in hybrid-electric vehicles (PHEVs).
Horse Powertrain Solutions, a division of Horse Powertrain Limited and a manufacturer of innovative and low emissions powertrain systems, has started a production run of 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder turbocharged petrol engines for use in plug-in hybrid-electric vehicles (PHEVs).
The Horse "HR12" engine can deliver peak power of 110kW (152PS) and maximum torque of 230Nm.
The new PHEV-optimised HR12 units will be produced at Horse’s plant at Valladolid, located about 200km north-west of Madrid.
There, Horse is initially targeting production of 1,200 units per month, with a maximum possible production capacity of 6,875 engines per month. The HR12 PHEV variant will be first used in the upcoming Renault Rafale E-Tech 4x4 Hybrid
“This HR12 is the first plug-in hybrid engine manufactured at our Valladolid facility and the second produced by Horse globally," said Horse chief executive officer Patrice Haettel.
"This is a major landmark for our team, and proof of how Horse’s internal combustion engine expertise can facilitate market-leading, low-emission mobility solutions."
Alongside the HR12 internal combustion engine, the complete powertrain unit will also feature three electric motors – two main, and one secondary:
> THE first main electric motor on the front axle, delivering 50kW of power and 205Nm of torque
> THE second main electric motor on the rear axle, delivering 100kW and 195Nm
> A secondary HSG (High-voltage Starter Generator) electric motor producing 25kW and 50Nm
Altogether, this will mean the PHEV’s maximum power output will be over 220kW (300hp), driven by a specially adapted and clutchless multi-mode gearbox.
The PHEV’s energy will be stored in a 400-volt lithium-ion battery, with a total capacity of 22kWh.
This means the powertrain will deliver a pure-electric range of over 100km for the Rafale E-Tech 4x4 Hybrid.
The PHEV’s superior efficiency will mean that the new Rafale 4x4 will achieve superior emissions performance. In electric mode, it will achieve an average fuel consumption of just 0.7 litres per 100km, with CO2 emissions of only 15g/km.
Horse was created to provide highly efficient, low-emission engines, transmissions, and technologies to meet the varying power generation needs around the world.
Horse operates eight production plants across seven countries, three R&D centres and a head office based in Madrid.
The company produces 3.2 million units per year for its customers around the world.
With decades of industrial know-how, Horse develops, produces and supplies highly efficient full-hybrid, plug-in hybrid and internal combustion powertrains, and cutting-edge technologies (engines, gearboxes, full-hybrid and plug-in hybrid systems, and batteries).
Horse employs over 9,000 people in seven countries, it is headquartered in Madrid, Spain and has eight plants and three R&D centres around the world (Argentina, in Córdoba; Brazil in Curitiba; Chile in Los Andes; Portugal in Aveiro; Romania in Bucharest, Mioveni and Titu; Spain in Seville and Valladolid, and Turkiye in Bursa in partnership with Oyak).
Horse is a division of Horse Powertrain Limited, which focuses on hybrid and combustion powertrain solutions. Based in London, Horse Powertrain Limited was officially created on May 31, with Renault Group and Geely each holding a 45% stake in the company, with Aramco holding the remaining 10%.
