By ATN Editorial Team
Summary: Horse Powertrain has unveiled the X-Range C15 Direct Drive, an integrated hybrid powertrain that packages a 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine, dedicated hybrid transmission, dual electric motors and power electronics into a single compact unit designed to replace the rear electric drive unit on existing BEV platforms. The system enables automakers to produce BEV, HEV, PHEV and REEV variants from a shared platform without significant changes to vehicle design or production.
Key engineering takeaway: The powertrain uses a P1+P3 motor configuration within a shared housing — P1 on the crankshaft acting primarily as a generator, P3 on the transmission output shaft providing electric traction — supporting serial, parallel and pure-electric operating modes. The parallel mode capability is a key differentiator over pure serial range-extender architectures, as direct mechanical coupling between engine and wheels at cruising speeds avoids the double energy conversion losses inherent in serial operation, improving overall system efficiency.
Why it matters: As OEMs face uncertain regional demand splits between BEVs and hybrids, platform flexibility has become a critical strategic requirement. A drop-in rear-axle powertrain that converts a BEV architecture to multiple hybrid configurations without major tooling changes allows manufacturers to hedge their product strategy, amortise BEV platform investments and respond to shifting regulatory and market conditions without committing to separate vehicle programmes.
The C15 X-Range has been launched by Horse Powertrain
Horse Powertrain, a global leader in innovative and low-emission powertrain systems, will unveil a new ‘all-in-one’ powertrain at Beijing Auto Show 2026: the X-Range C15 Direct Drive.
The ultra-compact X-Range C15 Direct Drive integrates a full hybrid powertrain – including a 4-cylinder engine, transmission, power electronics, and an electric motor – into a single compact unit with a shared housing, designed to mount to the rear subframe enabling a double isolated installation for best NVH.
The X-Range C15 Direct Drive is designed as a compact ‘all-in-one’ powertrain to replace the rear electric drive unit of an existing BEV platform. It enables an automaker to use a single shared platform for their BEV, HEV, PHEV, and REEV lineups without any significant changes to vehicle design or production environments.
The new powertrain is the newest member of Horse Powertrain’s X-Range family – a toolkit for adding hybrid capability to dedicated BEV platforms, offering automakers the option to substitute the rear electric drive units of their vehicles. It adds to the HORSE F15 (an ‘all-in-one’ powertrain designed to substitute the front electric drive unit of a BEV platform) and HORSE C15 (an ultra-compact engine and generator that acts as a range extender to existing powertrain) systems.
The X-Range C15 Direct Drive features a 4-cylinder, 1.5-liter engine that can be installed in either a naturally aspirated configuration for lower-power applications such B- and C-segment vehicles, or with a turbocharger for larger D-segment vehicles and LCVs. The naturally aspirated engine can output up to 70kW, and the turbocharged engine can output 120kW.
The powertrain integrates the engine with both a dedicated hybrid transmission and set of electric motors in a single shared housing in a flat profile. The two motors are installed in a P1 + P3 configuration: one integrated at the end of the engine’s crankshaft, and a second at the transmission’s output shaft.
- The P1 motor primarily acts as a generator in both serial and parallel modes. As a generator it can output 70kW for the X-Range C15 Direct Drive’s naturally aspirated variant, and 110kW for the turbocharged variant.
- The P3 motor is intended to provide electric traction to the vehicle – either independently from the engine in serial mode, or together with the engine in parallel mode operation. By the direct connection between the engine and the wheel enabled in parallel mode, the total system efficiency is improved over alternative range-extended or pure serial mode hybrid solutions.
Depending on automaker requirements the X-Range C15 Direct Drive can be used to either fully power the rear wheels of a vehicle, or support an all-wheel drive vehicle when used in conjunction with another electric drive unit on the vehicle’s front axle.
The package location on the rear axle also enables compact integration of the exhaust and after treatment systems at the rear of the car, maximizing floor space for batteries or the passenger compartment.
The X-Range C15 Direct Drive contains the full suite of power electronics required for a modern hybrid powertrain, and is designed to integrate with supplementary systems like a DC/DC converter, an on-board charger, and an 800V charging booster.
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 will be showcasing the X-Range C15 Direct Drive at Beijing Auto Show 2026, as part of its stand in Hall A1, Booth A111. The company will be hosting a press conference showcasing its strategic vision and hero products on 24 April 2026, at 11:40 CST.
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