Horse Powertrain

Horse Powertrain Limited is a powertrain company created by Renault and Geely to develop, manufacture and supply internal-combustion engines, hybrid systems and range-extender technologies. Although the venture's Renault-origin operations were initially based in Madrid, the holding company is headquartered in London. It was formally established in May 2024 after a development process that began in 2022 under the internal codenames Horse and Rubik. The company combines Renault's former internal-combustion and hybrid powertrain operations with Geely's Aurobay business and related Chinese activities. Its structure is intended to unite engineering, manufacturing and intellectual-property resources that had previously been distributed across the two automotive groups. The combined organization has been described as having approximately 19,000 employees, with the principal operating businesses Horse and Aurobay each contributing roughly 9,000 employees. Horse Powertrain's remit covers conventional gasoline and diesel engines, hybrid engines, flexible-fuel systems, range extenders and selected industrial power applications. Its products are designed not only for passenger vehicles but also for commercial, agricultural and other equipment. The portfolio includes small three-cylinder engines, larger hybrid and diesel units, methanol and hydrogen-combustion concepts, and complete or partially integrated systems pairing combustion engines with electric machines and power electronics. Renault and Geely brands were identified as the venture's initial customers. The broader planned customer base includes Dacia, Volvo, Lynk & Co and Proton, as well as vehicles associated with Nissan and Mitsubishi Motors. Horse Powertrain has also indicated an intention to supply third-party manufacturers. The strategy reflects the partners' view that internal-combustion engines will remain relevant in many regions and vehicle categories even as battery-electric vehicles expand. The company therefore positions itself as a specialist supplier for markets where electrification may take hybrid, range-extender or other lower-emission forms rather than immediate full battery-electric adoption. Its engineering portfolio includes the H10 range-extender engine, the industrial S10, the HR13 family, the hybrid-oriented B15 and C15, the K15 diesel range extender, the HR18 Atkinson-cycle hybrid engine, the M20 diesel and hydrogen-combustion platform, the D20 methanol range-extender system and the forthcoming W30 twin-turbocharged V6. The HR18 is described as the first engine developed entirely by Horse Powertrain and is used in the most powerful hybrid version of the Dacia Bigster. The W30 is planned for a Lotus Emira application. In December 2024, Saudi Arabian energy and chemicals company Aramco acquired a 10% interest in Horse Powertrain and obtained board representation. Renault and Geely remain the principal owners. Horse Powertrain is an operating powertrain specialist rather than a consumer-facing vehicle marque, and its market identity is primarily business-to-business: supplying engines, hybrid systems, range extenders and related technology to vehicle manufacturers and industrial customers.

Horse Powertrain emerged from Renault and Geely's effort to consolidate their combustion-engine and hybrid expertise in a period when many automakers were redirecting substantial investment toward battery-electric vehicles. The cooperation was announced in November 2022. Renault referred to its side of the project as Horse, while Geely used the Rubik codename. The proposed business was intended to provide a large-scale engineering and manufacturing platform for engines, hybrid systems and related technologies, rather than limit the companies to their own vehicle brands. The intended customer scope was broad. Renault and Geely marques were expected to be the first recipients of the powertrains, followed by programs involving Dacia, Volvo, Lynk & Co and Proton. The plan also contemplated supplying Nissan, Mitsubishi Motors and third-party manufacturers. The rationale presented by the venture was that internal-combustion technology would continue to be needed in regions and vehicle segments where full battery-electric adoption was slower, while hybridization and range extenders could reduce fuel consumption and emissions. In July 2023, Renault announced that it had separated its internal-combustion and hybrid powertrain activities into a Horse subsidiary headquartered in Madrid. Geely was expected to contribute Aurobay, its Swedish powertrain business, together with associated Chinese operations. The two groups also planned to contribute intellectual property covering combustion engines and hybrid systems. A binding agreement for the joint venture was signed later in July, with Renault's operations initially centered in Madrid and Geely's operations in Hangzhou. The venture was originally expected to start during the second half of 2023, subject to regulatory approval, but the timetable slipped because of regulatory processes. Horse Powertrain Limited was finally established in late May 2024, with the holding company headquartered in London. Its operating structure brought together Horse, the former Renault powertrain division, and Aurobay, the former Geely-owned powertrain company operating in Sweden and China. The combined organization was described as having about 19,000 employees. The resulting company holds a portfolio spanning small gasoline engines, diesel units, hybrid engines, range extenders, flexible-fuel systems and experimental or emerging-fuel technologies. The company's technical development includes the HR18 Atkinson-cycle engine, which is identified as the first engine developed entirely by Horse Powertrain. It is used in a hybrid powertrain for the highest-powered version of the Dacia Bigster. Other products address a range of applications: the H10 and C15 are compact range-extender engines; the S10 is intended for industrial equipment; the K15 and M20 address diesel range-extender applications; and the D20 combines a methanol engine with an axial-flux electric motor and power electronics. The company has also presented a hydrogen-combustion variant of the M20 and a forthcoming W30 V6 for hybridized high-performance applications. On 3 December 2024, Aramco acquired 10% of Horse Powertrain. The investment added a major energy and chemicals company to the ownership structure and gave Aramco a board representative. Renault and Geely remained the controlling strategic partners. Horse Powertrain's continuing role is that of a global supplier and technology platform for manufacturers that need combustion, hybrid or range-extender capability alongside their battery-electric programs.

• 2024

  Horse Powertrain is formally established

  [1]Horse Powertrainen.wikipedia.org

  The venture begins operating after regulatory delays, with the holding company headquartered in London.

• 2024

  Aramco takes a minority stake

  [1]Horse Powertrainen.wikipedia.org

  Aramco acquires 10% of Horse Powertrain and receives a seat on the board.

• 2023

  Renault forms the Horse subsidiary

  [1]Horse Powertrainen.wikipedia.org

  Renault separates its combustion and hybrid powertrain activities into a Horse-named subsidiary based in Madrid.

• 2023

  Binding agreement signed for the joint venture

  [1]Horse Powertrainen.wikipedia.org

  Renault and Geely sign a binding agreement to create the holding company and contribute relevant operations and intellectual property.

• 2022

  Renault and Geely announce the powertrain venture project

  [1]Horse Powertrainen.wikipedia.org

  The companies announce a plan to combine their internal-combustion and hybrid powertrain operations, using the internal project names Horse and Rubik.

A global, manufacturer-facing powertrain specialist focused on combustion, hybrid and range-extender technologies for passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles and industrial applications during the transition toward electrification.

• Range-extender gasoline and ethanol engine

  H10

  A compact 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine designed to generate electricity in range-extender applications. It can operate on gasoline or ethanol and provides up to 70 kW of continuous electrical output. The unit is also marketed in Renault applications under the TCe 110 designation.

• Industrial engine

  S10

  A 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine developed for industrial uses. It produces up to 57 kW and was developed in collaboration with Spanish utility-terrain-vehicle manufacturer Corvus.

• Gasoline engine

  HR13

  A gasoline engine family associated with several automotive applications. The HR13DDT variant is used in vehicles including the Dacia Duster, Nissan Qashqai and Mercedes-Benz A-Class. The HR13 is also planned for use in the Caterham Academy racing program.

• Hybrid gasoline engine

  B15

  A 1.5-liter gasoline engine intended for hybrid powertrains. Its stated output reaches 161 horsepower, with torque of up to 255 N⋅m, making it suitable for passenger-vehicle hybrid applications.

• Flex-fuel range-extender engine

  C15

  A 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine designed as a compact range extender. It is engineered for gasoline, ethanol and methanol flex-fuel operation and is planned in naturally aspirated and turbocharged outputs. The stated design targets include Euro 7, China 7 and SULEV20 emissions requirements.

• Diesel range-extender engine

  K15

  A 1.5-liter four-cylinder diesel engine designed to drive a generator in range-extender applications. It is specified to deliver up to 65 kW of continuous electrical power.

• Hybrid Atkinson-cycle engine

  HR18

  A 1.8-liter Atkinson-cycle engine developed entirely by Horse Powertrain. It produces up to 80 kW and 172 N⋅m, weighs approximately 100 kg and is used in a hybrid system for the most powerful version of the Dacia Bigster.

• Diesel and hydrogen-combustion range-extender engine

  M20

  A 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesel engine intended to generate electricity for agricultural and industrial electric vehicles. Its maximum continuous electrical output is stated as 105 kW. Horse Powertrain has also presented a hydrogen-combustion version of the platform.

• Methanol range-extender system

  D20

  A 2.0-liter four-cylinder methanol engine paired with an axial-flux electric motor and power electronics. It is designed as a compact range extender or external generator, with a stated output of up to 105 kW. The system is designed around high fuel-to-electricity efficiency and compatibility with specified Chinese and European emissions standards.

• Hybrid-compatible V6 engine

  W30

  An upcoming 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 designed for mild- or full-hybrid systems. Its 90-degree bank angle supports compact packaging, including a hot-vee turbo arrangement. The engine is planned for longitudinal or transverse installation and is expected to make its first application in the Lotus Emira.

• 2024

  Add Aramco as a minority strategic investorM&A

  Background

  Horse Powertrain was seeking to operate as a broad powertrain supplier beyond the immediate Renault and Geely vehicle groups.

  Action taken

  Aramco acquired a 10% stake and obtained representation on the board.

  Aftermath

  Renault and Geely remained the principal owners while Aramco became a strategic participant in the venture.

  Ownership stake. 10% held by Aramco (3 December 2024)

  Source

• 2022

  Create a dedicated global combustion and hybrid powertrain platformStrategy

  Background

  Renault and Geely sought to combine powertrain activities while the automotive industry was increasingly shifting investment toward battery-electric vehicles.

  Action taken

  The groups announced a joint project intended to consolidate engineering, manufacturing and intellectual property for combustion engines, hybrids and range extenders.

  Aftermath

  The plan developed into Horse Powertrain, with a customer strategy covering Renault and Geely brands, affiliated automakers and potential third parties.

  Source

1. 1Horse Powertrainen.wikipedia.org