Horse powertrain set a new benchmark in hybrid integration with their first complete propulsion system
How one company is combining combustion, electrification, and transmission technologies to provide a scalable platform for next-generation low-emission vehicles
Horse Powertrain, through its Horse Technologies division, has unveiled a fully integrated hybrid powertrain platform – the HR18 HEV. Representing a significant step forward in hybrid vehicle architecture, the HR18 HEV is the company’s first complete propulsion system to be designed, developed, and manufactured entirely in-house. It brings together an Atkinson-cycle internal combustion engine, a high-efficiency lithium-ion battery, a clutchless gearbox, and a high-torque electric motor – all engineered by Horse Technologies’ own R&D centres and produced across its European manufacturing sites.
This launch reinforces Horse Powertrain’s strategy to support automotive OEMs with scalable hybrid systems at a time when HEVs are becoming central to many brands’ low-emission line-ups.
FULLY INTEGRATED HYBRID STRUCTURE
The HR18 HEV sets a new benchmark in hybrid integration by consolidating all major powertrain elements – combustion, electrification, and transmission – into a cohesive, modular package. The result is a platform optimised for hybrid operation, with seamless interaction between each component and a clear focus on performance, efficiency, and emissions compliance.
The system is built around the all-new HR18 engine, a 1.8-litre, four-cylinder petrol direct injection unit. Designed for hybrid applications, the HR18 maximises thermal efficiency, achieving up to 80kW (108 PS) and 172Nm of torque, while maintaining a low weight of just 100kg. It is compatible with flex-fuel blends containing up to 10% ethanol and fully compliant with both Euro 6e (Euro 6EBIS) and Euro 7 emissions regulations.
Power is transmitted via Horse Technologies’ newly developed DB45S transmission, a clutchless gearbox capable of handling up to 436Nm of torque. Manufactured in Seville, Spain, the DB45S eliminates traditional clutch mechanisms, enhancing reliability and efficiency while reducing mechanical complexity.
The electric propulsion is managed by the 5DH motor, a 50kW permanent magnet electric motor that delivers peak torque of 212Nm. Engineered and produced in Aveiro, Portugal, the 5DH motor is optimised for smooth operation in hybrid driving conditions and contributes significantly to overall system efficiency and responsiveness.
Energy storage is provided by the BTA Gen2 lithium-ion battery, designed and developed at Horse’s Valladolid R&D centre. Compact and lightweight at 36kg, it stores up to 1.4kWh of energy, operates across a voltage range of 150–279V, and delivers a peak discharge of 11.6Ah. Despite its small footprint (707 x 422 x 190mm), the battery pack integrates two 34-cell modules and an active liquid cooling system, ensuring consistent thermal performance across varied duty cycles.
ENGINEERING INTEGRATION ACROSS EUROPE
The HR18 HEV system is the product of a coordinated European R&D and manufacturing effort. The combustion engine was developed at Horse Technologies’ Bucharest R&D centre in Romania, with production – including casting, machining and assembly – taking place at its plants in Valladolid (Spain) and Bursa (Turkey).
Meanwhile, the battery, motor, and transmission were each developed and manufactured at specialised centres in Valladolid, Aveiro, and Seville respectively. This decentralised but integrated approach enables Horse Powertrain to leverage local engineering expertise, streamline logistics, and reduce time-to-market for OEM customers.
SUPPORTING OEMS AMID MARKET TRANSITION
The HR18 HEV addresses several critical pain points facing vehicle manufacturers as they navigate the transition to electrified mobility. With hybrid vehicles increasingly seen as a pragmatic bridge between internal combustion and full battery-electric platforms, OEMs are under pressure to deploy HEV offerings quickly and at scale – often under significant commercial constraints.
Matias Giannini, CEO of Horse Powertrain, explains: “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 commercial pressures.”
By delivering a fully integrated hybrid powertrain, Horse Powertrain offers OEMs a turnkey solution that reduces the need for complex system integration, costly validation processes, and long development timelines. The HR18 HEV provides a flexible, high-performance platform that can be easily implemented across multiple vehicle architectures, allowing automakers to focus their R&D resources on differentiation and user-facing technologies.
SCALABLE PATH TO DECARBONISATION
The HR18 HEV is not only a technical achievement but also a strategic product for accelerating the industry’s decarbonisation goals. Designed to serve global markets, the system supports manufacturers in meeting tightening emissions targets without full reliance on battery-electric vehicle (BEV) infrastructure or supply chains.
Patrice Haettel, CEO of Horse Technologies, notes: “The HR18 HEV is the culmination of work by teams across Horse Technologies’ European network of plants and R&D centres. 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.”
This launch aligns with broader efforts to create accessible, high-efficiency propulsion systems that bridge current internal combustion technologies and the long-term shift to electrification. As an adaptable hybrid platform, the HR18 HEV provides an immediate, implementable pathway for OEMs looking to cut emissions, meet evolving legislation, and improve vehicle efficiency.
With the HR18 HEV, Horse Powertrain has delivered a sophisticated and modular hybrid powertrain tailored to the evolving needs of today’s automotive market. Developed entirely in-house and backed by a coordinated European manufacturing footprint, the system positions Horse as a critical enabler of next-generation mobility. Its efficient integration of combustion, electrification, and mechanical systems provides a timely and technically robust option for OEMs pursuing hybrid solutions in a rapidly changing regulatory and consumer landscape.
