We’ve all seen the restomods where an old car is completely revitalised with a new electric powertrain. Heck, even Nissan has done it with their R32 ‘Godzilla’ GT-R. But given the vocal displeasure the so-called “car enthusiasts” have against electric vehicles (EV), we wonder why mods the other way round hasn’t happened yet.
Well, wonder no more, because Horse Powertrain – the Geely-Renault joint venture engine company – has just unveiled a new concept that’s meant to be fitted into battery electric vehicles (BEV), turning EVs into hybrids with minimal modifications.
It’s called the Future Hybrid Concept, and it’s meant to help carmakers to “meet changing customer demand”, eliminating the need for multiple platforms across different powertrain types – so no, you can’t buy one for your own restomod project car, sorry.
The Future Hybrid Concept is a modular powertrain, integrating an internal combustion engine, electric motor, and transmission into a single unit to ensure wide compatibility with various EVs. Power electronics, including an inverter, DC/DC converter, on-board charger, and an 800V charging booster are also incorporated into its unique profile, with a slimmer section on top to comply with global safety and crash standards.
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The Future Hybrid Concept is designed in an “East/West orientation”, more commonly known as the transverse layout. It’ll serve in a multitude of configurations, including as a range extender to the existing EV powertrain, or with its own transmission and driveshafts as a parallel hybrid system, with all-wheel drive also an option.
Horse Powertrain says the Future Hybrid Concept has been “designed to be used and operated anywhere in the world”. The pre-chamber ignition system supports the use of a wide range of fuels, including petrol, E85 ethanol flex fuels popular in South America and Thailand, M100 methanol fuel that is rapidly growing in demand in China, India, and sub-Saharan Africa, as well as synthetic fuels.
“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,” said Horse Powertrain CEO Matias Giannini.
“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.”
The company says it expects the first vehicles using the Future Hybrid Concept to reach the roads as early as 2028.
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