Renault is involved in the development of this impressive hybrid engine with over 1,100 horsepower.
Horse Powertrain, the joint venture between Renault and Geely focused on powertrains, has recently unveiled a new rechargeable hybrid drive system. Named 3DHT200, it will initially be installed in a powerful Chinese SUV with over 1,100 horsepower.
When Renault partnered with Geely to create Horse Powertrain, one of the goals was to share the development and production of internal combustion and hybrid engines. This strategy has now yielded some truly remarkable powertrains, such as the 3DHT200, its new system designed for rechargeable hybrid vehicles. Behind this poetic name lies a particularly sophisticated drive train that combines as many as 13 components into a single unit.
On its debut, this technology from the Renault-Geely joint venture will certainly make a bold statement. It will power the upcoming Geely Galaxy Cruiser 700, a massive SUV with an off-road-inspired design whose total power is expected to reach an impressive 830 kW, or 1,113 horsepower.
A technology developed by Renault and Geely’s joint venture
The 3DHT200 is the third member of the 3DHT hybrid transmission family developed by Horse Powertrain. However, it is the first designed specifically for vehicles intended for off-road use. Its operation relies on two electric motors. The first, named P1, generates 110 kW (148 hp) and is primarily used to start the internal combustion engine and produce electricity. The second, called P3, is significantly more powerful at 230 kW (308 hp). It is mainly responsible for driving the wheels, with its rotational speed exceeding 20,000 revolutions per minute. The internal combustion engine is paired with a three-speed gearbox, while the P3 electric motor drives the wheels through a single reduction gear ratio.
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Like many rechargeable hybrid systems, Horse’s system can operate in several ways. The car can move forward using electricity alone, operate in series hybrid mode, or combine the different power sources in parallel mode. At low speeds, especially in urban areas, Horse prefers series operation: the internal combustion engine mainly generates electricity needed for propulsion. At higher speeds, the system can switch to parallel mode and use the internal combustion engine directly to drive the wheels.
Thirteen components combined into one unit
The “13-in-1” designation used by Horse refers to the integration of thirteen components into a single unit. It includes the two electric motors and their controllers, as well as the onboard charger, DC-DC converter, various electronic units, and a three-speed hybrid transmission. According to Horse Powertrain, this integration allows for a 10% reduction in the overall size of the unit.
The engineers have also revised the electric motors. A new arrangement of permanent magnets would increase torque density by 15% and power density by 20%. The goal is quite simple: to extract more performance from an electric machine without significantly increasing its size. Horse claims that its new drive train should enable some vehicles to reach 100 km/h from a standstill in about three seconds.
But performance is only part of the equation. The company states that its system will also allow large SUVs like the Galaxy Cruiser 700 to achieve fuel consumption as low as around 5 liters per 100 kilometers. Of course, it will be necessary to wait for the final specifications of the vehicle, and especially real-world testing results, to assess this claim.
Up to 4,920 Nm at the wheels
Horse developed this version primarily to meet the demands of off-road vehicles, where high traction at low speeds is essential. The manufacturer states a maximum torque of 4,920 Nm at the wheels. However, be careful not to directly compare this value with the engine torque typically listed in technical specifications: this represents the torque available at the wheels after reduction. According to Horse, this level of torque would enable a vehicle equipped with this system to climb slopes as steep as 45 degrees. On the Geely Galaxy Cruiser 700, the 3DHT200 will be supplemented by an electric motor installed on the rear axle. Together, they will form an all-electric four-wheel drive system named e-4WD.
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It goes without saying that, despite the brand’s involvement in developing its own powertrains and Geely’s entry into the French market, one should not expect to see the giant Galaxy Cruiser 700 on French roads.