Geely Raises PHEV Bar With NordThor EM-i Drivetrain

Geely reveals its NordThor EM-i gasoline-electric drivetrain, claiming it provides its next generation of plug-in hybrid models with a higher level of efficiency than those offered by its Chinese rival BYD, the world’s largest manufacturer of PHEVs.

Launched in the Geely Galaxy Starship 7, the EM-i unit has been certified with an average fuel consumption of 88.1 mpg (2.7 L/100 km) and a combined gasoline-electric range of 1,485 miles (2,391 km) under the Chinese Light-Duty Vehicle Test Cycle in the midsize SUV.

The second-generation NordThor drivetrain features two configurations, including the EM-P already used in various Geely Group models, such as the Lynk & Co. 07 sedan and 08 SUV, where it is tuned predominantly for performance.

By contrast, the new EM-i plug-in hybrid system is optimized for efficiency. Like the EM-P setup, the EM-I uses a turbocharged 1.5L gasoline 4-cyl., but increased air swirl in the combustion chamber allows it to reach a claimed record thermal efficiency of 46.5%, up from the 46.1% of BYD’s latest DM-I (Dual Mode) PHEV system.

Additionally, a new thermal management system increases warmup speed by 40%, leading to a further 3% improvement in fuel efficiency, according to preliminary specifications released by the Chinese carmaker.

Geely says it has achieved a thermal efficiency of 48.15%, which has already received certification from Chinese authorities.

The internal-combustion engine is paired with a dedicated electric dual-hybrid transmission and two electric motors, one at the front and another at the rear.

Geely has yet to release full details of its new EM-I drivetrain, including specifics about the energy capacity of its battery and size of its fuel tank, but it says the rear electric motor produces up to 214 hp with a reported efficiency of 98.02%. Combined, the system’s overall efficiency reaches 92.5%, slightly surpassing BYD’s DM-I unit.

Once seen as a transitional technology on the way to full-electric drivetrains, PHEVs continue to see growing demand in China, led by BYD, though other manufacturers are making progress.

SAIC’s Roewe brand recently set a Guinness World Record with its plug-in hybrid D7 DMH sedan, which achieved an average fuel consumption of 94.5 mpg (2.5 L/100 km) and a combined range of 1,372 miles (2,209 km) on an independent test in China.

The announcement of the Roewe record comes after BYD unveiled its fifth-generation DM-I system, which claims to provide its new Seal 06 DM-I with average fuel consumption of 81.1 mpg (2.9 L/100 km) (US) and a range of 1,305 miles (2,101 km) in combination with a 15.9-kWh battery and 17.2-gallon (65-L) fuel tank.