Renault and Repsol have joined forces to shape a ultra-efficient hybrid engine It aims to become a key component of the transition to lower-emission mobility in Europe. This development, largely conceived and validated in Spain, is presented as an immediate alternative to the complete electrification of the vehicle fleet, leveraging existing technologies and the current refueling network.
This propulsion system, known as Horse H12 ConceptIt combines Renault's expertise in hybrid engines with Repsol's work in 100% renewable fuels. The result is an engine capable of consuming less than 3,3 liters of gasoline every 100 kilometers According to the WLTP cycle, its efficiency levels place it among the most advanced on the market today. We'll tell you everything we know about it…
Groupe Renault strengthens its hybrid leadership in Europe…
In a context in which Toyota dominates the hybrid market on a global scaleEspecially in Europe, where nearly 77% of its sales are vehicles with this type of engine, Renault has been forging its own path on the Old Continent. The French group has been marketing hybrid engines for years. 140 and 160 CV in models very common on Spanish and European roads, such as the Renault Clio, Renault symbioz or Dacia Duster.
Now, the development of new ultra-efficient hybrid engine in partnership with Repsol This reinforces Renault's position as one of Europe's leading manufacturers in this technology. Far from focusing solely on electric vehicles, the French company is looking to expand its offerings with solutions that reduce emissions. quickly and applicable to the current fleetwithout forcing customers to radically change their habits.
A hybrid engine designed in Spain with 3,3 L/100 km…
The heart of this project is the aforementioned Horse H12 ConceptThis is an evolution of Renault's own 12-liter, three-cylinder HR1,2 engine. The new version incorporates a series of specific improvements aimed at to significantly reduce consumption and emissions, until the average fuel consumption falls below 3,3 L/100 km in the WLTP homologation cycle.
Among the most relevant modifications is a combustion system with a high compression ratio of 17:1which allows for better use of fuel energy. This is complemented by a system of next generation exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), aimed at improving efficiency and reducing polluting emissions, along with a turbocharger optimized to work in harmony with the hybrid nature of the system.
In addition to the changes in combustion, intensive work has been done on the reduction of internal friction of the engine components. This improvement has been achieved thanks to the use of next-generation lubricants developed by Repsolspecially formulated for this type of engine. Along with more refined energy management, all these elements contribute to reducing fuel consumption and increasing the overall durability.
Thermal efficiency of 44,2% and 40% lower energy consumption…
The result of this combination of innovations is an engine that It achieves a maximum thermal efficiency of 44,2%.This figure is well above what is typical for conventional gasoline engines. Although it doesn't reach the absolute record currently held by a Chinese manufacturer, which stands slightly above 48%, it approaches that level and places it among the top in the world rankings.
But perhaps the most relevant piece of information for the average user is the 40% reduction in consumption compared to the average of new passenger cars registered in Europe in 2023. According to tests carried out under the European WLTP homologation protocol, this hybrid engine is able to keep consumption below 3,3 liters per 100 kilometers, which, in practice, translates into a clear reduction in the cost per kilometer traveled.
From Renault and Repsol's perspective, the key lies not only in mechanical performance, but also in the capacity of this hybrid system to working with renewable fuelsThis is where close collaboration with the Spanish energy company comes into play, contributing both its knowledge and its industrial infrastructure.
100% renewable gasoline and less CO₂ in real-world use…
The Horse H12 Concept has been designed to run not only on traditional gasoline, but also on... 100% renewable fuels developed by RepsolThis compatibility opens the door to a reduction in emissions that is not limited to engine efficiency, but extends to the very origin of the fuel.
According to data provided by both companies, a mid-size vehicle Equipped with this hybrid engine and powered by 100% renewable gasoline, it could emit 1,77 tons less COâ‚‚ per year than an equivalent car that uses conventional gasoline, taking as a reference an average journey of 12.500 kilometers per year.
Repsol has already taken important steps in this area. In its The Tarragona plant produced gasoline from 100% renewable sources on an industrial scale for the first time., marketed under the name of Nexa 95This product can be used in current gasoline vehicles without modifications, facilitating its gradual introduction into the market.
Currently, the company offers renewable gasoline at approximately 30 service stations in Spain and renewable diesel in more than 1.500 stations between Spain and PortugalFurthermore, their roadmap includes the launch, in 2026, of a second plant for 100% renewable fuels from waste in Puertollanowhich will be added to the one in Cartagena, as well as a pilot plant for synthetic fuels in Bilbao also planned for that year.
Valladolid and Madrid, nerve centers of technical development…
The development of the ultra-efficient hybrid engine has been carried out mainly in Spain, with a very defined division of tasks. On the one hand, the Horse Technology Division in Valladolid has been responsible for the design, development, and validation of the propulsion system. On the other hand, the Repsol Technology Lab in Madrid has contributed knowledge in advanced fuels and specific lubricants.
The project has already yielded concrete results: they have been built two functional prototypes from the Horse H12 Concept and has Its performance has been validated in a test bench.The next step will be the integration of this engine into a demonstrator vehicle, whose presentation is scheduled for principles of 2026, as both companies have indicated.
This boost puts Valladolid as a leading technological hub within the Renault GroupThis reinforces Spain's role in the manufacturer's industrial and innovation strategy. At the same time, it consolidates Repsol's image as a key player in the transition towards low-carbon fuels within the European automotive sector.
Technological neutrality versus a one-way transition…
Both Renault and Repsol have insisted that their strategy is based on the technological neutralityThat is, not relying on a single solution to decarbonize transport. The message is clear: electrification is essential, but it cannot be the only answer, especially considering that Over 97% of the European car fleet is still made up of combustion engine vehicles.
From Horse Powertrain, Patrice Haettel, Chief Operating Officer and CEO of Horse Technologie, has emphasized that the Horse H12 Concept is an example of how ultra-efficient engines combined with renewable fuels They can start cutting emissions right now, without having to wait for a complete fleet renewal or ubiquitous charging infrastructure.
Similarly, Repsol, through its executive management, argues that the use of 100% renewable fuels can be considered a net zero emissions solution when the entire life cycle is analyzed, and that its deployment is complementary to the electric vehicle. For this, the company is calling for a clear and ambitious European regulations that will boost investment in both renewable fuels and high efficiency motors capable of getting the most out of them.
An immediate alternative for application in the current European vehicle fleet…
Renault's approach with this ultra-efficient hybrid engine developed in conjunction with Repsol It focuses on offering a tangible response in the short and medium term. While European governments are accelerating the transition to electric vehicles, millions of combustion engine vehicles will continue to circulate for many years in Spain and the rest of Europe.
In that context, the combination of a hybrid engine with an efficiency of 44,2% y 100% renewable fuels It is presented as an alternative to reduce emissions from the existing vehicle fleet without requiring drastic changes for the user. Refueling takes place at conventional service stations, and the engine technology, although advanced, remains recognizable to the industry and repair shops.
The alliance between Renault Group, Geely and Repsol through Horse Powertrain It also reflects a broader strategic move: maintaining European industrial competitiveness amidst the transformation of the automotive sector, without sacrificing a substantial reduction in COâ‚‚ emissions. For many drivers and fleets, this path can become a sensible bridge between traditional combustion engine vehicles and a future where pure electric vehicles, highly efficient hybrids, and carbon-neutral fuels coexist.
All this development places the Renault and Repsol's ultra-efficient hybrid engine as a relevant piece in the puzzle of European mobility in the coming years: a solution that does not promise miracles, but does promise a notable decrease in consumption and emissions with existing technologies and networks, and which has also been largely conceived in Spain, reinforcing the country's role in the new automotive industry.
Source - Horse Powertrain Horse Powertrain and Repsol jointly develop a highly efficient hybrid powertrain running on 100% renewable gasoline
Images | Renault – Repsol
