Horse Powertrain will unveil the X-Range C15 Direct Drive at Beijing Auto Show 2026, an all-in-one hybrid powertrain designed to let automakers convert dedicated battery-electric vehicle platforms into hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or range-extended models with minimal retooling. The system is the latest addition to the company’s X-Range family of BEV-to-hybrid conversion solutions, which the supplier positions as a toolkit for OEMs hedging their electrification bets.
Highlights
- 4-cylinder, 1.5-liter engine available in naturally aspirated (up to 70 kW) or turbocharged (120 kW) configurations for B- through D-segment vehicles and LCVs
- Dual-motor P1 + P3 architecture integrates a generator and traction motor in a shared housing with the engine and dedicated hybrid transmission
- Rear-subframe installation replaces the rear electric drive unit of an existing BEV platform, preserving battery and cabin space
- Debut scheduled for Beijing Auto Show 2026, Hall A1, Booth A111, with a press conference on April 24
Architecture and Integration
The X-Range C15 Direct Drive is engineered as a drop-in replacement for the rear electric drive unit on a BEV platform. It combines a 4-cylinder engine, a dedicated hybrid transmission, power electronics, and two electric motors inside a single shared housing with a flat profile. Horse Powertrain said the unit mounts to the rear subframe and uses double isolation for NVH control.
By locating the full powertrain at the rear axle, the design keeps the exhaust and aftertreatment systems at the back of the vehicle, which the company said frees up floor space for the battery pack or passenger compartment. The unit can power the rear wheels alone or operate as part of an all-wheel-drive layout when paired with a separate front-axle electric drive unit.
Powertrain Specifications
The 1.5-liter engine can be specified in two states of tune. A naturally aspirated version is aimed at B- and C-segment vehicles and produces up to 70 kW. A turbocharged variant targets D-segment vehicles and light commercial vehicles, producing up to 120 kW.
The dual motors are arranged in a P1 + P3 configuration. The P1 motor sits at the end of the engine’s crankshaft and primarily functions as a generator, producing 70 kW in the naturally aspirated variant and 110 kW in the turbocharged variant. The P3 motor is mounted on the transmission’s output shaft and drives the wheels, either alone in series mode or together with the engine in parallel mode.
Series and Parallel Operation
In series mode, the engine runs only as a generator to feed the P3 traction motor. In parallel mode, the engine connects directly to the wheels alongside the P3 motor. Horse Powertrain said the direct mechanical connection available in parallel mode improves total system efficiency relative to range-extended or pure-series hybrid architectures.
The X-Range C15 Direct Drive includes the full suite of power electronics required for a modern hybrid and is designed to integrate with supplementary components such as a DC/DC converter, an on-board charger, and an 800V charging booster.
Positioning Within the X-Range Family
The new unit joins two existing X-Range products. The HORSE C15 range extender is an ultra-compact engine-and-generator package that adds range-extending capability to an existing powertrain, and the HORSE F15 is an all-in-one powertrain that substitutes the front electric drive unit of a BEV platform. The F15 was shown as the Future Hybrid Concept at Auto Shanghai 2025.
Matias Giannini, Chief Executive Officer of Horse Powertrain, said: “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. The X-Range C15 Direct Drive is an ‘all-in-one’ powertrain, allowing BEV platforms to be converted to HEVs, PHEVs, and REEVs with little redesign or tooling changes required, dramatically reducing time-to-market, amortizing BEV investments, and catering to the diverse array of mobility needs in today’s global market.”
Horse Powertrain is jointly owned by Renault Group, Geely, and Aramco. The company lists Renault Group, Geely Auto, Volvo Cars, Proton, Nissan, and Mitsubishi Motors Corporation among its 25 customers.
Sign up for our popular weekly email to catch all the latest EV news!
