HORSE partners with Lecar to deliver passenger car range extender engine

HORSE, a leader in innovative and low emissions powertrain systems, has today signed its first agreement to produce Extended Range Electric Vehicle (EREV) engines for a passenger vehicle: the Lecar 459 Hybrid.

Set to launch in 2026, the Lecar 459 Hybrid is the first vehicle from Lecar, Brazil’s newest home-grown electric vehicle (EV) automaker. Founded by Brazilian entrepreneur Flávio Figueiredo Assis, Lecar will introduce a new range of sophisticated and affordable EV models targeted at domestic audiences.

HORSE will initially supply Lecar with 12,000 units of its 1.0-litre 3-cylinder ‘HR10’ engines annually, with room to supply more as demand increases. The HR10 engines are tailored to run on low-emissions gasoline and ethanol flex fuels, which are a staple of the Brazilian market.

The HR10 units will serve as the combustion engine within the Lecar 459 Hybrid’s Range Extender powertrain. This leverages the HR10’s proven success within HORSE’s own Range Extender solution for light commercial vehicles.

Matias Giannini, Chief Executive Officer at HORSE Powertrain Limited, said: “This is a tremendous opportunity for HORSE, Lecar, and Brazilian motorists. For Lecar this agreement allows them the opportunity to leverage HORSE’s proven HR10 engine for a passenger EREV, following the HR10’s successful deployment in Range Extender solutions for light commercial vehicles.

 “For HORSE, this is a monumental first step into providing combustion engines for passenger vehicle Range Extenders. This deal signals our commitment to Brazil, one of the world’s most exciting automotive markets. It also our signals our relentless commitment to innovation in EREVs, one of the fastest-growing vehicle categories globally – and our ability to support brands and OEMs developing both EVs and combustion engine vehicles.”

Best-of-both-world powertrain

In contrast to traditional PHEVs, the combustion engine of an EREV never directly drives the vehicle’s wheels – instead providing charge to the vehicle’s battery via an on-board electric generator.

This allows the combustion engine to run at its highest-efficiency state, minimising fuel consumption and emissions. When its battery is fully charged, the EREV’s engine will automatically be turned off.

The battery can also be charged in a similar manner to any other EV, using a public charger or domestic power supply. When used with low-carbon fuels, such as the flex fuels popular in the Brazilian market, this means that the cradle-to-grave footprint of the EREV is comparable to an equivalent long-range EV.

Patrice Haettel, Chief Executive Officer at HORSE, said: “HORSE was a natural partner for Lecar’s new hybrid passenger car. Our HR10 range extender engine is already at the heart of a light commercial vehicle, built in our rapidly growing operation in Curitiba, so it is proven technology in the market.

 “Our footprint made us the perfect supplier for Lecar’s vision to create a truly home-grown Brazilian EV. This is a significant milestone for HORSE as it continues to deliver on our strategy of developing tailor-made solutions for every market. We have once again demonstrated our technology and industry leadership, and I am extremely proud of the HORSE teams across the world that have contributed to this engineering and commercial success.”

Tried-and-tested technology

This agreement follows the first Lecar 459 Hybrid prototype in August, which saw the company purchase its very first HR10 unit for testing and configuration in the test vehicle.

HORSE’s HR10 engine produces up to 85kW of power and 200Nm of torque thanks to its direct fuel injection, double overhead camshafts, and turbocharger. Produced at HORSE’s plant in Curitiba, Brazil, the HR10 is currently used in HORSE’s own Range Extender solution for light commercial vehicles.

Alongside HORSE’s HR10 engine, the Lecar 459 Hybrid will utilise an electric generator from WEG – HORSE’s electric component partner for its fully-integrated light commercial vehicle Range Extender solution.

Flávio Figueiredo Assis, Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Lecar, said: “Our team has an incredibly ambitious plan to develop and deliver the Lecar 459 Hybrid, Brazil’s first home-grown EV. To achieve this, HORSE is the ideal partner for us – along with being a world-class supplier of industry-leading combustion engines, HORSE’s production footprint in Brazil is in perfect alignment with Lecar’s vision to revolutionise the Brazilian car market with domestically-produced solutions.”

HORSE: a leader in automotive innovation

HORSE was created to provide highly efficient, low-emission engines, transmissions, and technologies to meet the varying power generation needs around the world. HORSE operates eight production plants across seven countries, three R&D centres and a head office based in Madrid, Spain – the company produces 3.2 million units per year for its customers around the world.