full speed ahead on batteries one minute, then slamming the brakes as range anxiety and costs bite. That’s why Horse Powertrain’s booth at IAA Munich 2025 had me hooked. This Renault-Geely joint venture, kicked off in 2024, is diving into hybrid and range-extender tech to keep internal combustion relevant without the full EV leap. As a car nut who loves a good underdog story, I spent way too long chatting with their engineers about the C15 range extender and those mind-blowing amorphous stators. Here’s the scoop on their coolest reveals, and why they might just save the day for affordable, adventurous driving.
The C15: A Briefcase-Sized Range Extender That Packs a Punch
Picture this: a 1.5-liter inline-four engine so compact it fits in a briefcase, generator, inverter, exhaust, and cooling all included. That’s the Horse Powertrain C15, measuring just 19.7 x 21.7 x 10.8 inches. It’s versatile too—mount it upright, sideways, or at any angle, thanks to its smart oil scavenging. In naturally aspirated form, it churns out 94 hp for smaller C-segment cars; turbo it up for 161 hp in D-segment or light trucks. Designed for SULEV20, Euro 7, and China 7 emissions, it runs on gasoline, ethanol, methanol flex-fuels, or even synthetic stuff. Mass and cost details are hush-hush, but imagine tucking this into an EV’s frunk for extra miles without the bulk. It’s the kind of practical innovation that makes hybrids feel fresh again.
Future Hybrid System: Turn Any Car Into a Plug-In Powerhouse
Horse Powertrain didn’t stop at extenders—they showed off an all-in-one hybrid kit that can juice up a gas car or BEV into a full HEV or PHEV. This bundle packs a 1.5-liter four-cylinder, transmission, motor, and electronics into one tidy unit. Go for the single-motor setup between engine and trans for the ultra-compact version (25.6 inches wide), or add a second on the output shaft for 349 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque (29.1 inches wide). Debuted in Shanghai but stealing the show in Munich, it’s a retrofit dream for makers wanting hybrid options without starting from scratch. I can see it breathing new life into older platforms, making the shift to electrified driving less of a headache.
Amorphous Iron Stator: The Motor Magic That Slashes Losses
Ever wonder why electric motors waste energy as heat? It’s those eddy currents in the stator—the steel stack where electricity flows. Horse Powertrain’s fix? Slice the plates to a razor-thin 0.02 mm (thinner than a human hair) and make them from amorphous steel, aka metallic glass. This non-crystalline stuff cuts iron losses by over 50% and boosts magnetic permeability, hitting a claimed 98.2% efficiency—the best in automotive motors. The trick was manufacturing: heat the steel white-hot, then cool it lightning-fast to lock in that glassy structure. It’s not just geeky; it means longer range and less battery drain for EVs and hybrids. As someone who’s chased efficiency in my own projects, this feels like a breakthrough that could trickle down to everyday cars.
GaN High-Efficiency Generator: Shrinking Size, Boosting Power
Rounding out the IAA lineup, Horse Powertrain’s gallium-nitride (GaN) generator is a compact powerhouse. GaN modules switch electricity super-fast with better heat handling than old silicon chips, letting the generator shrink while pumping out 67 hp at 4,500 rpm at 95% efficiency. It thrives from -40°F to 230°F, perfect for range extenders in harsh conditions. Paired with the C15, it’s a dynamic duo for lightweight hybrids. I walked away thinking this could make small EVs more viable for long hauls, without the weight penalty.
Why Horse Powertrain’s Tech Feels Like a Breath of Fresh Air
In a show dominated by full EVs, Horse Powertrain’s focus on hybrids and extenders was a smart pivot. Renault and Geely’s collab is already eyeing Volvo and Polestar for debuts, and with the world rethinking pure BEVs, this could bridge the gap. Their pipeline—gas engines, transmissions, and more—promises affordable, efficient options that don’t skimp on fun. As a driver who loves the road trip vibe, I’m rooting for these to hit U.S. shores. Keep an eye on Horse Powertrain; they’re galloping toward a hybrid future we might all need.
Source- Motortrend
