AAH #768 - Horse Powertrain Enters the Motorcity
About this episode
A deep dive into Horace Powertrain, a new joint venture formed from the powertrain divisions of Renault, Volvo, and Geely, focusing on next-generation engines and hybrid solutions. Tom Lewis discusses the company's strategy to innovate in small displacement, high-efficiency engines while avoiding the V8 market. The conversation touches on the evolving automotive landscape, the importance of internal combustion engines in the near future, and the challenges faced by legacy automakers in transitioning to electric vehicles. Insights into the competitive dynamics of the automotive industry and the potential for Horace to disrupt traditional powertrain operations are also explored.
powertrain
"So, we’re a new joint venture with 125 years of experience. So, essentially, we are the carve out of the powertrain divisions of Renault, Volvo, and Geely."
The powertrain is everything that moves a car: the engine, gears, and parts that get power to the wheels. It’s what makes a car go forward or backward.
The powertrain is the system that delivers power from the engine to the wheels, including the engine, transmission, driveshafts, and differential. It determines a vehicle’s performance, efficiency, and drivetrain layout.
turbocharged engine
"We’re focused big on hybrids and high efficiency, internal combustion engines, turbocharged engines."
A turbocharged engine has a small turbine that pushes extra air into the engine, so it can burn more fuel and produce more power.
A turbocharged engine uses a turbine-driven compressor to force more air into the combustion chamber, increasing power output without significantly raising engine size.
small displacement engine
"We’re focused big on hybrids and high efficiency, internal combustion engines, turbocharged engines. I would say also we’re kind of more in the small displacement space."
A small displacement engine is a smaller, lighter engine that uses less fuel. It’s common in city cars and hybrids.
Small displacement engines have a lower total volume of all cylinders, typically 1.0 to 2.0 liters, and are designed for better fuel economy and lower emissions.
Formula One
"[413.0s] That's like Formula One levels. [415.0s] Yes."
Formula One is the top level of car racing, where cars are built to be as fast and powerful as possible. People often use it as a comparison for how advanced or efficient something is.
Formula One is the highest class of single-seat, open-wheel racing governed by the FIA. It features cutting‑edge technology and extremely high power‑to‑weight ratios, often used as a benchmark for performance standards.
con rods
"There's been very little purchase of, I mean, yeah, everybody buys pistons, you can buy con rods, you can buy blocks, let's say."
Connecting rods are metal arms that connect the pistons to the engine’s crankshaft, turning the piston's up‑and‑down motion into spinning power.
Connecting rods link the pistons to the crankshaft, transferring the piston’s motion into rotational power.
pistons
"There's been very little purchase of, I mean, yeah, everybody buys pistons, you can buy con rods, you can buy blocks, let's say."
Pistons are the round parts that move up and down inside an engine’s cylinders, helping to make the car go.
Pistons are the moving components inside an engine cylinder that compress air and fuel to create power.
blocks
"There's been very little purchase of, I mean, yeah, everybody buys pistons, you can buy con rods, you can buy blocks, let's say."
Engine blocks are the big metal boxes that hold all the engine parts together, like cylinders and pistons.
Engine blocks are the main structure that houses cylinders, pistons, and other components; they provide mounting points for the engine’s internals.
Hemi
"[656.0s] Okay, we know what the Hemi, those are toys, right?"
A Hemi engine is a type of car engine that has a special shape inside the cylinder, which helps it make more power and sound unique.
The Hemi is a family of hemispherical combustion chamber engines produced by Chrysler and its subsidiaries, known for high power output and distinctive sound.
plug-in hybrid
"Whether horse supplied that plug in hybrid,"
A plug‑in hybrid is a car that can run on both gasoline and electric power. You can charge its battery from a wall outlet, so it can drive some miles without using gas.
A plug‑in hybrid is a vehicle that combines an internal combustion engine with an electric motor and a battery that can be charged from the grid, allowing it to drive on electricity alone for short distances.
three and a half liter turbo V6
"or horse supplied that three and a half liter turbo V6."
A 3.5‑liter turbo V6 is a type of engine with six cylinders that uses a small turbine to make it stronger. It’s common in many modern cars for good power and efficiency.
A 3.5‑liter turbocharged V6 engine is a six‑cylinder powerplant that uses a turbine to increase air intake, boosting horsepower and torque while keeping displacement moderate.
V8 engine
"[829.0s] And, you know, it's aimed with GM's V8s, Ford's V8s."
A V8 engine has eight cylinders that make it strong and powerful, often used in big cars like trucks or muscle cars.
A V8 engine is an internal combustion engine with eight cylinders arranged in a V configuration, known for its power and torque characteristics.
Mercedes
"[991.0s] Yeah, Mercedes, we announced that we're providing the engine for the next generation, a class."
Mercedes-Benz is a famous German car company that makes fancy cars and trucks. They’re known for good quality and smooth driving.
Mercedes-Benz is a German luxury automaker known for its high-performance vehicles, advanced engineering, and prestigious brand heritage.
extended range EVs
"[1020.0s] And one of them is extended, extended range EVs."
An extended‑range EV is a car that runs on batteries for a while, then uses a small engine to keep going if the battery runs low. It’s like having a backup power source.
Extended‑range electric vehicles (EREVs) combine a small internal combustion engine or generator with an electric motor and battery, allowing the car to run on electricity for a limited distance before switching to the engine.
Bev platforms
"And so you can imagine the use case behind that is a lot of companies have made these Bev platforms."
A BEV platform is the basic design of a car that runs only on electric power, with batteries and motors built into its structure.
BEV stands for Battery Electric Vehicle; a BEV platform refers to the underlying chassis, power electronics, and battery architecture designed specifically for fully electric cars.
hybrids
"[1061.0s] And there's a, you know, an obvious pushback to hybrids."
A hybrid car uses both gasoline and electric power to run, so it can be more fuel‑efficient than a regular car.
Hybrid vehicles combine an internal combustion engine with one or more electric motors to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions.
ADAS features
"[1075.0s] the infotainment features, ADAS features, all the latest and greatest tech,"
ADAS are safety features that help the driver by warning them or even taking control in certain situations, like keeping you in your lane or stopping the car if a collision is imminent.
ADAS stands for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, which include technologies like lane‑keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking.
four-cylinder engine
"[1462.0s] Why did you guys avoid the three cylinder thing? [1465.0s] Because I mean, a lot of manufacturers are looking at that, reduces parts and reduces internal friction and things like that."
A four-cylinder engine is a type of car engine that has four places where fuel burns to make power. Most everyday cars use this kind of engine because it works well and isn’t too expensive.
A four-cylinder engine has four combustion chambers (cylinders) arranged in a line or V-shape. It is common in many cars because it balances power, efficiency, and cost.
three-cylinder engine
"[1465.0s] Because I mean, a lot of manufacturers are looking at that, reduces parts and reduces internal friction and things like that. [1473.0s] Why fours instead of three?"
A three-cylinder engine has only three places where fuel burns to make power. It’s lighter and can use less gas, but it may feel a bit rougher than engines with more cylinders.
A three-cylinder engine has three combustion chambers and is often used in small cars or hybrids to improve fuel economy and reduce weight. It can be less smooth than a four-cylinder but is lighter and cheaper.
Ford S-10
"[1473.0s] Why fours instead of three? [1475.0s] We've got the fours S-10, three cylinder."
The Ford S-10 is a small pickup truck made by the American company Ford. It was sold in the 1980s and 1990s and is known for being easy to drive and useful for light jobs.
The Ford S-10 is a compact pickup truck produced by Ford from 1982 to 1997. It was popular in the U.S. and Canada for its small size, fuel efficiency, and versatility as a light-duty work vehicle.
Renault
"[1667.0s] Europe, you know, with Renault, a lot of, you know, the regulations pushing EVs."
Renault is a car company from France that makes many different kinds of cars, like small city cars and bigger family cars.
Renault is a French automotive manufacturer known for producing a wide range of cars, from compact city vehicles to larger family sedans and commercial vans.
emissions headroom
"So a lot of these engines that the domestic manufacturers in the United States have, they're sort of running out of emissions headroom."
It’s how much room a car engine has to keep pollution low while still running well.
The amount of flexibility manufacturers have to meet regulatory emission limits while still delivering performance and fuel economy.
Ampere
"So, I think Ampere is the right analog to horse."
Ampere measures how much electricity is flowing, similar to how horsepower measures engine power.
Ampere is the SI unit of electric current, often used to quantify the electrical power output in hybrid and electric vehicles.
hybrid transmission
"I mean, that's separate from us, but I would say, you know, within a hybrid transmission."
A hybrid transmission helps a car use both gasoline and electric power, making it more fuel‑efficient.
A hybrid transmission is a gearbox that manages power from both an internal combustion engine and one or more electric motors, allowing the vehicle to switch between or combine power sources for efficiency.
Alfa Romeo
"[1956.0s] I mean, an Alfa Romeo or something like that might want something with a little more, [1960.0s] I don't know, a little more vibratory quality or a little more sound quality."
Alfa Romeo is a car brand from Italy that makes cars known for their good looks and fun to drive. They have been making cars for over a century and also compete in racing.
Alfa Romeo is an Italian automotive manufacturer founded in 1910, renowned for its stylish designs and spirited driving dynamics. The brand has a long racing heritage and produces both luxury sedans and high-performance sports cars.
gear ratios
"[2032.0s] How close can you get there's a way we can tune that or change gear ratios, [2036.0s] you know, in order to meet what they need within our portfolio."
Gear ratios decide how the engine’s power is translated to the wheels. Changing them can make a car accelerate faster or reach higher speeds, depending on what you want.
Gear ratios determine how many times the engine turns for each turn of the wheels, affecting acceleration and top speed. Adjusting them can tailor a vehicle’s performance to specific needs.
fuel efficiency
"You tell me the emissions and fuel efficiency that you have to hit."
Fuel efficiency tells you how many miles a car can go before it needs more fuel. Higher numbers mean the car uses less gas for the same distance.
Fuel efficiency is a measure of how far a vehicle can travel per unit of fuel, often expressed as miles per gallon (MPG) or liters per 100 kilometers.
Richdon Weatherpeak Tires
"Richdon weatherpeak tires for the 70,000 mile limited warranty."
Richdon Weatherpeak Tires makes special tires that are tough and give good traction, especially for people who like fast cars or racing.
Richdon Weatherpeak Tires is a manufacturer of high-performance tires known for their durability and grip, often used in racing and enthusiast circles.
Tesla
"[2298.0s] Can Tesla do it as a car company?"
Tesla makes cars that run on electricity instead of gasoline. They also make batteries and solar panels.
Tesla, Inc. is an American automotive and energy company known for producing electric vehicles and renewable energy products.
Dodge Cavalier
"So, what about if somebody, you know, brought back the cavalier that had an internal combustion"
The Dodge Cavalier is a small car that was sold in the U.S. during the 1980s and early 1990s. It was cheap to buy and keep running, which made it popular among budget‑conscious drivers.
The Dodge Cavalier was a compact car produced by Chrysler’s Dodge brand in the 1980s and early 1990s. It was known for its affordability and simple, reliable design.
GM
"I've got one correction for you guys from the comments section GM does have a hybrid"
GM makes a lot of cars you might see on the road, like Chevrolets and Cadillacs. They also make trucks and SUVs.
General Motors (GM) is one of the largest automobile manufacturers in the world, known for brands like Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, and Cadillac.
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