Horse has started production of the new DB49 transmission at its plant in Seville, Spain. The transmission is the first to be designed in-house by Horse and can be used in plug-in hybrid vehicles.
The gearbox is a clutchless, 15-speed unit, producing a maximum torque of 470Nm and a peak output of 35kW. It comes with two electric motors for maximum flexibility across a range of driving conditions. The transmission weighs 99kg and will make its debut in the plug-in hybrid models of the Renault Rafale.
The DB49 is controlled using Horse’s Power Electronics Box (PEB), an advanced integrated electronics unit, which is produced at Horse’s Aveiro plant and includes optimized hardware and software to significantly reduce the use of battery charge.
Patrice Haettel, chief executive office at Horse, said, “The DB49 is a hybrid gearbox — a progression of the DB35 — designed for the engine used in the Renault Rafale. It is the result of relentless innovation aimed at developing technological solutions for a more responsible and sustainable future while meeting the demands of the global market.”
Javier Bernaldez Garcia, plant director at Horse Seville, said, “Our Seville team continues to push at the forefront of transmission innovation, and DB49 is no exception. Matching performance and efficiency, this new transmission will be a benchmark for transmission systems for many years to come. We’ve invested resources to ensure the plant remains state-of-the-art, ensuring quality and durability of every unit manufactured.”
The Seville plant employs over 1,000 technicians and engineers and is the company’s main plant for hybrid transmission production, while also producing critical units for the ICE value chain. More than 60% of the plant’s output is exported beyond Spain.
The plant has produced transmissions for more than 60 years and built more than 32 million units over its lifetime. In 2024 alone, the Seville facility produced 666,670 transmissions.