Geely unveils new 1.5-litre 4-cyl hybrid engine; 44.26% thermal efficiency, more power

Geely's latest hybrid engine has entered mass production, and it's a 1.5-litre four-cylinder mill that's claimed to have a standard-beating 44.26% thermal efficiency.

Thermal efficiency is simply put as the amount of energy an engine can extract from fuel. The average thermal effiiciency for a regular engine ranges between 20% to 30%, though some Hyundai, Toyota, and GAC engines have achieved 40+% thermal efficiency.

Codenamed BHE15 Plus, the hybrid engine uses the Miller cycle, and its high thermal efficiency is attributed to technologies such as enhanced tumble ratios, high compression ratio, increased height-to-diameter ratio, and a 350 bar high-pressure fuel injection system.

Its name clues in to its origin – it's based on the BHE15 engine family that also includes the BHE15-EFZ turbocharged mill that runs the China-market Binyue Cool among other models.

Also read: Closer look at the new 4-cylinder Geely Binyue Cool - the Proton X50 twin we never got

The BHE15 Plus is in the brand's latest Galaxy L7 model, as the NordThor 8848. Now, quick refresher: Galaxy is the Group's latest upmarket brand that focuses on premium electrified vehicles.

In the L7, Geely says the hybrid powertrain is capable of driving the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) SUV to 100 km/h from a standstill in 7.5 seconds, before reaching a top speed of 200 km/h. Claimed fuel consumption figure is 5.23 litres/100 km.

Reports also say that it will find duty in other Geely Group sub-brands, including Lynk & Co.

Closer to home, the BHE15 engine family is not in any models yet nor has there been any explicit mention of their arrival here. If predictions are true and the soon-to-come Proton X90 becomes Proton's hybrid torch-bearer in Malaysia, it's likely to use Geely's 1.5-litre three-cylinder TGDi with a 48-Volt mild-hybrid (MHEV) system tacked to it.

Also read: Proton X90 likely to be Proton's first-ever hybrid, MHEV already teased in COE