Horse Powertrain unveiled the X-Range C15 Direct Drive at the 2026 Beijing Auto Show. This compact powertrain allows automakers to adapt electric vehicle platforms to hybrids and extended-range models, cutting costs and accelerating market entry.
At the 2026 Beijing Auto Show, Horse Powertrain unveiled its new X-Range C15 Direct Drive powertrain. This development addresses a key industry challenge: the need to flexibly adapt electric vehicle platforms to different types of powertrains.The X-Range C15’s main feature is its all-in-one format. It combines an internal combustion engine, electric motors, transmission, and power electronics into a compact unit. Mounted on the rear axle, this module can replace a standard BEV electric drive, allowing a single platform to be used for electric vehicles, hybrids, and extended-range models.The system includes a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, available in naturally aspirated or turbocharged versions. Power outputs reach 70 kW or 120 kW respectively. The electric portion uses a P1 + P3 layout: one motor acts as a generator, while the other provides traction. This configuration improves efficiency compared to conventional series hybrids.For automakers, the X-Range C15 can significantly cut development costs and accelerate market entry. Instead of creating separate platforms for different powertrain types, companies can use a single architecture. This is particularly important amid slowing demand for pure electric vehicles and growing interest in hybrid solutions.In practice, Horse Powertrain is offering the industry a new standard of flexibility. The ability to quickly convert an electric car into a hybrid without major modifications could reshape automaker strategies and speed up the transition to multi-format electrification.
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