Pioneering a technology-neutral path to net zero, Horse Powertrain’s latest innovation offers OEMs a drop-in hybrid powertrain solution for BEV platforms.
London, UK (17 April 2025) – In a bold step toward redefining hybrid propulsion, Horse Powertrain has officially revealed its Future Hybrid Concept at Auto Shanghai 2025. This game-changing development presents a compact, fully integrated hybrid powertrain that can be seamlessly installed in existing Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) platforms with minimal engineering intervention.
Aimed at reconciling the growing demand for powertrain diversity with the industry’s shift towards net zero, the Future Hybrid Concept brings together an internal combustion engine (ICE), electric motor, and transmission into a single, modular unit. Its compact design and plug-and-play configuration offer automakers a low-disruption solution to expand their product offerings beyond pure electric, without requiring entirely new vehicle platforms or production lines.
Engineering Simplicity Meets Global Flexibility
At the heart of the Future Hybrid Concept is an ethos of simplification and integration. Designed to replace the front electric drive unit of a BEV, the powertrain bolts directly to a vehicle’s subframe in an East/West layout. With a slim upper profile tapering to a broader base, the design meets global safety and crash standards while maximising under-hood space efficiency.
The unit also comes pre-equipped with key hybrid powertrain electronics—controller, inverter, DC/DC converter, onboard charger, and even an 800V charging booster—further reducing integration effort for OEMs.
“The Future Hybrid Concept is a leap forward in packaging and performance,” said Ragnar Burenius, Chief Engineer of xHEV Systems at Horse Powertrain. “By consolidating the engine, motor and transmission into a single piece, we’ve dramatically simplified hybrid powertrain architecture, opening up new opportunities for OEMs across all markets.”
Fuel Agnostic, Market Ready
Future-proofed for a diverse and evolving global fuel landscape, the Future Hybrid Concept supports an extensive range of energy sources. This includes traditional gasoline, E85 ethanol flex fuels (prominent in South America), M100 pure methanol (increasingly adopted in China, India and Africa), and modern synthetic fuels designed to significantly reduce lifecycle emissions.
Thanks to its pre-chamber ignition system, the engine ensures clean and efficient combustion across this wide spectrum of fuels, aligning with regional regulatory requirements and sustainability goals.
Matias Giannini, CEO of Horse Powertrain, highlighted the strategic importance of this flexibility:
“For over a decade, BEVs have dominated the net zero conversation. But now we’re entering a more pragmatic, technology-neutral era, where markets must tailor solutions to their local needs. The Future Hybrid Concept allows OEMs to keep pace with this change—offering propulsion diversity without reinventing their production infrastructure.”
Driving OEM Efficiency and Sustainability
Beyond its technical ingenuity, the Future Hybrid Concept offers significant manufacturing benefits. By eliminating the typical tooling complexity and unique assembly steps associated with hybrid systems, it empowers automakers to run mixed propulsion production lines efficiently—streamlining processes, reducing costs, and accelerating time-to-market.
Its design also accommodates modern thermal management components like next-generation heat pumps and R290 refrigerants, aligning with upcoming environmental regulations and sustainability protocols.
Roadmap to Market
Horse Powertrain has confirmed that the first production vehicles equipped with the Future Hybrid Concept could be on the roads as early as 2028, marking a milestone moment in the evolution of hybrid mobility.
With a robust global footprint—comprising 17 manufacturing plants, five R&D centres, and 19,000 employees—the company is well-positioned to scale production rapidly and meet the needs of automakers across geographies.
The Future Hybrid Concept will be formally introduced at Auto Shanghai 2025, with a press conference scheduled for 1000 CST on Thursday, 24 April, at booth 8A17 in Hall 8.1H.
About Horse Powertrain
Formed as a global leader in innovative propulsion systems, Horse Powertrain is at the forefront of developing sustainable solutions for internal combustion and hybrid mobility. Its integrated approach to powertrain design and manufacturing serves 80% of market needs across passenger vehicles, commercial fleets, and specialty applications.
