The Breakdown
- The Horse Powertrain X-Range C15 Direct Drive promises to convert EVs to hybrids.
- The engine lies flat to optimize packaging.
- It can be had in 94 horsepower or 148 horsepower variants.
If you’ve ever wanted to convert your electric car into a gasoline hybrid, you’re in luck. A company called Horse Powertrain has invented just that. Meet the Horse X-Range C15 Direct Drive powertrain unit, which promises to fit as an all-in-one conversion anywhere an EV drive unit can go.
The system is made up of two different items: Horse's F15 electric motor and C15 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine. Both are designed for more menial tasks, with the F15 made to replace front electric drive units and the C15 as a range extender. Together, however, the package makes enough power to replace a main drive unit.
How Does It Work?
It’s packaged in quite a novel way to fit underneath the low floor of an EV. Just like a Toyota Previa, the engine lies flat to help vertical packaging, and the rest of the powertrain is similarly pancaked to fit. The engine is so flat that the EV stuff actually takes more vertical space than anything else.
It comes all-in-one, ready to drop in, with all electronics, controllers, and necessary ancillaries to run it. It also comes with two motors, running in a parallel hybrid setup.
There are still some basic questions to answer. Where will the fuel tank go? What about the radiator, or any extra coolers? Horse says the rear placement of the unit allows flexibility, but that is still a consumer issue. So it’s still a custom conversion, including fabricating the necessary engine mounts and presumably tuning the powertrain for the application.
According to CEO Matias Giannini:
'The X-Range family of powertrains is about reflecting today’s market realities, allowing automakers to pivot from BEVs to hybrids and range extenders on a single platform, quickly and at scale.'
You can have your choice of naturally aspirated or turbocharged powertrain, with the naturally aspirated powertrain good for 94 horsepower, and the turbo is good for 148 horsepower. It's a pretty nifty idea, all things considered.
Motor1’s take: It’s cool that hybrid conversions are a thing, but don’t expect an easy drop-in. This will take serious work to get running.
