Horse Technologies Unveils HR18 HEV Hybrid Powertrain

London, United Kingdoms- Horse Technologies Ltd., a division of Horse Powertrain in low-emission propulsion systems, has announced the launch of its first fully integrated hybrid drive unit  the HR18 HEV.

This marks the debut of the first complete powertrain designed, engineered, and produced entirely under the Horse Powertrain brand. Developed across the company’s R&D centers in Romania and Spain, the HR18 HEV will be manufactured at Horse Technologies’ Bursa facility in Türkiye and the Valladolid plant in Spain.

The HR18 HEV integrates the company’s key technologies into a single, compact, and efficient unit. It brings together a combustion engine, electric motor, power electronics, and transmission system, making it suitable for a broad range of mobility applications.

As part of the launch, Horse Powertrain has also started production of the HR18 engine — a lightweight 1.8-liter, 4-cylinder gasoline direct injection engine built specifically for hybrid systems. Developed at the Bucharest R&D center, the HR18 weighs just 100kg, delivering up to 80kW (108PS) of power and 172Nm of torque. It operates on the Atkinson cycle and supports flex fuel blends with up to 10% ethanol content. Fully compliant with Euro 6eBIS and Euro 7 emissions standards, the engine will be cast, machined, and assembled at the company’s Valladolid and Bursa plants.

The hybrid system incorporates the BTA Gen2 lithium-ion battery, developed in Valladolid. Despite its compact dimensions (707x422x190mm), it includes two 34-cell modules with integrated cooling, offering a 1.4kWh capacity and a peak discharge rate of 11.6Ah, operating within a 150-279V voltage range, all at a weight of just 36kg.

The powertrain’s transmission is the DB45S clutchless gearbox, built in Seville, Spain, capable of handling up to 436Nm of torque. Complementing this is the Horse Technologies 5DH electric motor, manufactured in Aveiro, Portugal, which delivers 50kW of peak power and 212Nm of peak torque.

With the HR18 HEV, Horse Technologies brings a versatile, high-performance hybrid solution that combines innovation, efficiency, and regulatory compliance reinforcing its position at the forefront of sustainable powertrain technology.

Mr. Matias Giannini, Chief Executive Officer of Horse Powertrain, said, “The HR18 HEV is designed directly to address challenges facing OEMs in today’s market. HEVs are becoming the most in-demand powertrain category in many markets, requiring many brands and OEMs to make significant investments in bolstering their HEV offering – all while they face unprecedented commerical pressures. By solving the major challenges involved in producing and integrating such a high-performance system, we’re freeing up our OEM partners to focus on their priority innovations and areas of differentiation.”

Mr. Patrice Haettel, Chief Executive Officer of Horse Technologies, said, “The HR18 HEV is the culmination of work by teams across Horse Technologies’ European network of plants and R&D centers, who have developed the key technologies for this project. It further strengthens our transition into a fully integrated powertrain partner for the automotive industry and reflects our team’s unwavering commitment to delivering a complete range of propulsion solutions".

The HR18 HEV was designed from the outset as a versatile global solution. By offering an integrated, efficient foundation for hybrid mobility, the HR18 HEV is both a scalable and easy-toimplement solution for OEMs, while also enabling automotive’s decarbonisation journey.

You must be logged in to respond.