HORSE Powertrain Limited has announced a significant partnership with Lecar, Brazil’s newest electric vehicle (EV) automaker, to supply 12,000 units annually of its 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder “HR10” engines for Lecar’s upcoming 459 Hybrid. This landmark agreement marks HORSE’s first foray into providing combustion engines for passenger car Extended Range Electric Vehicles (EREVs), a rapidly growing vehicle segment worldwide.
Lecar 459 Hybrid: A New Chapter in Brazil’s EV Landscape
Lecar, founded by Brazilian entrepreneur Flávio Figueiredo Assis, is poised to revolutionise the country’s automotive sector with the Lecar 459 Hybrid, set to launch in 2026. Targeted at the domestic market, Lecar’s vision is to produce affordable, high-performance electric vehicles that cater to Brazil’s evolving transportation needs. The 459 Hybrid, Lecar’s inaugural vehicle, will feature HORSE’s HR10 engine as part of its Range Extender powertrain, offering a compelling alternative to traditional plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs).
Matias Giannini, Chief Executive Officer of HORSE Powertrain Limited, emphasised the importance of this partnership, stating, “For Lecar, this agreement allows them the opportunity to leverage HORSE’s proven HR10 engine for a passenger EREV, following its successful deployment in Range Extender solutions for light commercial vehicles. For HORSE, this deal represents a monumental step forward, allowing us to serve Brazil’s thriving automotive market while demonstrating our unwavering commitment to innovation in EREVs.”
A Powertrain for the Future
Unlike conventional PHEVs, the combustion engine in an EREV never drives the wheels directly. Instead, it functions as a power generator, charging the vehicle’s battery, which propels the car forward. This design maximises efficiency, as the combustion engine operates at its most fuel-efficient state, significantly reducing emissions and fuel consumption.
The Lecar 459 Hybrid’s battery can also be charged like any other EV, either through public chargers or domestic power supplies. Given Brazil’s reliance on ethanol and other low-emissions flex fuels, the Lecar 459 Hybrid promises a cradle-to-grave environmental footprint comparable to that of long-range EVs.
Patrice Haettel, HORSE’s CEO, sees this partnership as a perfect fit: “Our HR10 range extender engine is already proven in the light commercial vehicle market, and Lecar’s vision for a home-grown Brazilian EV aligns perfectly with our strategy of delivering market-specific solutions.”
Proven Performance
The HR10 engine, built at HORSE’s plant in Curitiba, Brazil, is a marvel of engineering, producing up to 85kW of power and 200Nm of torque. Featuring direct fuel injection, double overhead camshafts, and a turbocharger, the HR10 offers the reliability and efficiency that Lecar’s 459 Hybrid demands. WEG, HORSE’s electric component partner, will provide the electric generator for the Range Extender system, creating a fully integrated powertrain solution.
The Lecar 459 Hybrid prototype, tested with the HR10 engine earlier this year, delivered promising results, solidifying the company’s choice to move forward with HORSE as its primary powertrain supplier.
Brazilian EV Revolution
Flávio Figueiredo Assis, Lecar’s Founder and CEO, is excited about the partnership, stating, “Our team has an incredibly ambitious plan to develop and deliver the Lecar 459 Hybrid, Brazil’s first home-grown EV. To achieve this, HORSE is the ideal partner – with its world-class expertise in combustion engines and its significant production presence in Brazil, HORSE is helping us realise our vision of revolutionising the Brazilian car market.”
HORSE’s agreement with Lecar is more than a business deal—it’s a bold step into a new market segment for the company, solidifying its role as a leader in hybrid and low-emission powertrain solutions globally. With production capabilities spanning 17 plants and five R&D centres across the world, HORSE is well-positioned to support Lecar’s ambitious goals and Brazil’s growing appetite for sustainable mobility solutions.
As the automotive industry moves towards electrification, the partnership between HORSE and Lecar highlights the potential of hybrid technologies like EREVs to bridge the gap between traditional internal combustion engines and full-electric vehicles. With the Lecar 459 Hybrid, Brazilian motorists are set to benefit from cutting-edge technology, efficiency, and sustainability in a home-grown product tailored to their needs. The partnership represents a promising future for both companies, Brazilian consumers, and the global automotive landscape.
